Magzter GOLDで無制限に

Magzter GOLDで無制限に

10,000以上の雑誌、新聞、プレミアム記事に無制限にアクセスできます。

$149.99
 
$74.99/年

試す - 無料

The old model of billionaire philanthropy is ending

Weekend Argus on Saturday

|

May 24, 2025

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE

- BETH KOWITT

The old model of billionaire philanthropy is ending

BILL Gates is an optimist. He believes the world will be a better place in 20 years, that diseases like polio, measles and malaria will be eradicated, and that there will be other rich people lining up to fill the void when, as he announced last week, his foundation shuts its doors in 2045.

Of all these audacious goals and wishes, it's the last that might be the furthest out of reach. Gates is right that there will be plenty of rich people in two decades. But what's far less certain is just how willing they'll be to give away their money with the abandon and largesse shown by Gates.

The announcement that the Gates Foundation will close in 20 years came on the heels of news that Warren Buffett will soon retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc, creating a distinct "end of an era" vibe.

It was Buffett who introduced Gates to the idea of giving it all away, and together they've convinced and cajoled plenty of other billionaires to do the same. In 2010, they announced the Giving Pledge, in which hundreds of the world's richest people have committed to giving away half of their money, ushering in an amped up "with great wealth comes great responsibility" paradigm. (Michael Bloomberg, the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, is a Giving Pledge signatory and his philanthropic organisation has worked with the Gates Foundation.)

Today, that idea seems to be falling out of favour. In its place, a new model is bubbling up, driven by a subset of the Silicon Valley elite. It goes something like this: Why donate your money when you've already given so much to society through the technology you've created?

Gates and Buffett felt they were returning something to a system that had allowed them to amass such wealth. The new guard believes it's already contributed more to the system than it will ever get back in return.

Weekend Argus on Saturday からのその他のストーリー

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Weekend Argus on Saturday

'Ramaphosa agreed to disband Political Killings Task Team'

SUSPENDED police minister Senzo Mchunu testified that he briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa about his decision to disband the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) and added that the commander-in-chief was in agreement with it.

time to read

3 mins

October 18, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Is Sea Point losing its soul to commercialisation?

RESIDENTS CONCERNED

time to read

3 mins

October 18, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Integrity of judiciary under scrutiny

KWAZULU-NATAL'S police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has ignited a firestorm of controversy this week as he made several high-profile requests to Parliament.

time to read

3 mins

October 11, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Justice for Palestine, say SA activists

CEASEFIRE NOT ENOUGH

time to read

2 mins

October 11, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Weekend Argus on Saturday

A cap, a coat, a remote control: Mthethwa's belongings given to widow

A CAP, a coat, and a remote control: these were the belongings handed to the widow of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi “Nathi” Emmanuel Mthethwa, after his tragic death at an upmarket Paris hotel this week.

time to read

1 mins

October 04, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Sale of CTICC still under review

THE future of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) remains under review as the City of Cape Town explores the possible sale of its 72.7% shareholding in the landmark facility.

time to read

2 mins

October 04, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Activists demand release of flotilla volunteers

PICKETS against the ongoing crisis in Palestine are a familiar sight, but yesterday, gatherings across South Africa focused on the detention of humanitarian volunteers captured by Israeli forces while en route to aid Gaza.

time to read

4 mins

October 04, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

End of Political Killings Task Team in focus

KZN National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Elaine Harrison said her office was never formally informed of the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), saying she would have objected to the decision because of the team’s good work.

time to read

1 mins

September 27, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Dire impact of rogue parents on teachers

PARENTAL aggression has pushed already-stretched teachers past their limits, forcing many to leave the profession, and in some cases, the country.

time to read

3 mins

September 27, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Alleged abuse of racehorses in spotlight

HORSERACING is a multi-million rand business in South Africa, but behind the glitz and glamour of racing events and the betting that goes with it, are the horses, whom the National Council of SPCA's (NSPCA) say are subject to abuse, illegal harnessing, including the racing of horses that are too young to race.

time to read

3 mins

September 20, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size