The Lekker Network x SA-UK Trust Network | Big Ideas & Meaningful Connections
There’s a growing conversation happening in London, and this is your invitation to be part of it.
On 25 June, The Lekker Network and the SA-UK Trust Network will bring together a carefully curated group of South Africans living and working in the UK for an evening centred around one thing: meaningful connection.
This event is designed for entrepreneurs, professionals, business leaders, founders, creatives, and organisations working in and for South Africa - creating space for honest conversations, valuable introductions, and new opportunities for collaboration across the diaspora ecosystem.
This is not a typical networking event, and it’s definitely not a fundraising pitch.
Instead, the evening will explore how South Africans abroad can:
Support one another’s work, ideas, and initiatives
Contribute to South Africa’s future in practical and tangible ways
Position themselves and their work more effectively in the UK
Learn from different parts of the ecosystem across business, nonprofit, and social impact sectors
📍 Location: Vorboss
📅 Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026
⏰ Time: 16:00 onwards
WHAT TO EXPECT:
🎤 A short and honest panel conversation featuring voices from across business and nonprofit sectors
🤝 High-quality networking focused on real conversations — not just small talk
🌍 Exposure to organisations and people doing meaningful work connected to South Africa
💡 New ways to contribute beyond funding — through skills, collaboration, ideas, and networks
🇿🇦 A stronger, more connected South African ecosystem in the UK
The evening is supported by iZinga Assist, a platform focused on strengthening trust, governance, and transparency across the nonprofit ecosystem supporting Southern Africa.
PANEL CONVERSATION:
We’re bringing together a carefully curated group of South Africans working across business, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and social impact between the UK and South Africa. This honest and practical conversation will explore what meaningful contribution, collaboration, and community-building across the diaspora ecosystem can truly look like.
🎙️ Facilitated by Kelvin Glen, CEO of Horsham Matters and trustee of the SA–UK Trust Network and UK Fund for Charities. With leadership experience spanning organisations including Tiger Brands Foundation, Charities Aid Foundation, and Afrika Tikkun, Kelvin brings deep insight into philanthropy, partnerships, and social impact across both South Africa and the UK.
🇿🇦 Jill Ritchie - Director of Papillon Press & Consultancy (UK) and a highly regarded fundraising specialist in the non-profit sector, consulted to over 1,000 organisations, authored 30+ books, and founded southern Africa’s largest annual fundraising conference.
📚 Felix Spies - Founder and CEO of Siyafunda Education Foundation and founding partner of Catalyst Consultancy, specialising in nonprofit governance, fundraising, transparency, and trust-based philanthropy.
🤝 Tracy Kriel - Head of The Lekker Network London Chapter and Founder of Collage Recruitment, focused on building authentic community and supporting purpose-driven businesses and professionals across the UK and South Africa.
🌍 Cara Goschen - Trustee of the SA–UK Trust Network and Business Development Manager at the DO MORE FOUNDATION, leading strategic partnerships and initiatives supporting vulnerable children and families across South Africa and the UK.
Together, the panel will explore:
💡 What meaningful contribution from abroad really looks like
🤝 How stronger collaboration can happen across sectors and communities
🇿🇦 The role South Africans abroad can play in supporting South Africa’s future
🌍 Building trusted networks between business, philanthropy, and social impact ecosystems
🚀 Why relationships, visibility, and community matter more than ever
At its core, this gathering is about closing the gap between people who want to contribute and those already doing the work - because too often, these worlds don’t connect as they should.
You are also welcome to bring a guest who would benefit from and contribute to this community.
Spots are intentionally limited to keep the room curated and the conversations valuable.