The Mother Africa Trust

What The Mother Africa Trust does

The Mother Africa Trust is a private charitable trust founded in 2006 by Sharon Stead in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and registered as a nonprofit organization operating in Matopos and Hwange districts. It runs a portfolio of community development, education, wildlife conservation, and eco-tourism programs targeting rural women, orphaned and vulnerable children, elderly residents, and conservation areas. Core programs include the Mother Africa Trust Academic Scholarship (MATAS, 26 active students, 5 graduates), the 14-ranger Anti-Poaching Unit, infrastructure development (schools, clinics, bridges), women's empowerment through agriculture and crafts, the Walk In My Shoes initiative (1,987 pairs since 2018), and support for Ethandweni Children's Home and Dete Old Age Home. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its operational footprint is delivered through field staff and volunteer labor.

The Trust's business model is hybrid: revenue and funding flow through (1) a Community and Conservation Levy (CCL) collected from guests of the Amalinda Safari Collection lodges (Amalinda Lodge, Ivory Lodge, Khulu Bush Camp), (2) individual donations and corporate grants (including Panthera), (3) revenue from purpose-driven safari packages combining wildlife tourism with volunteer work, and (4) small-scale sales of community-produced goods such as agricultural products, eggs, mushrooms, baskets, and livestock. The CCL is fully allocated to community projects and conservation. The organization employs 1-10 people and operates with a small administrative footprint relative to program breadth, relying heavily on partnerships (Amalinda Safari Collection, Softfoot Alliance, Panthera, WildCru, Painted Dog Conservation, Friends of Hwange) and volunteer engagement to deliver services. Customer concentration on the Amalinda partnership and single-country geographic focus represent the defining structural features of the operating model.

Name

The Mother Africa Trust

Legal name

The Mother Africa Trust

Website

https://mother-africa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Mother Africa Trust is a Zimbabwe-registered charitable trust, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Bulawayo, that delivers community development, education, and wildlife conservation programs in Matopos and Hwange districts, funded primarily through the Amalinda Safari Collection's Community and Conservation Levy, donations, grants, and purpose-driven safari revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Community Development Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife & Animal Care Volunteering (EDAIAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Community development
• Wildlife conservation
• Volunteer eco-tourism
• Educational scholarships
• Rural infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Bulawayo

HQ country

Zimbabwe

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Eco-Tourism Revenue: Purpose-driven safari packages that generate revenue while enabling volunteer participation in community and conservation projects. Guests stay at Amalinda Safari Collection lodges (Amalinda Lodge, Ivory Lodge, Khulu Bush Camp) and contribute to project work.
2. Community and Conservation Levy (CCL): A mandatory levy implemented at Amalinda Safari Collection properties, fully allocated to supporting community development initiatives, Anti-Poaching Unit, and conservation efforts protecting endangered species.
3. Donations and Grants: Voluntary donations from individuals and organizations supporting specific projects or unrestricted funding. The Trust also receives grant funding from conservation organizations like Panthera.
4. Product Sales: Revenue generated from sale of community-produced goods including agricultural products (eggs, vegetables, mushrooms), handicrafts (baskets), and livestock (pigs, goats).

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Mother Africa Trust is a charitable trust operating community development, wildlife conservation, and educational scholarship programs in rural Matopos and Hwange districts of Zimbabwe. Core offerings include purpose-driven safaris combining wildlife tourism with volunteer community work, the MATAS academic scholarship program for orphaned and vulnerable children, an Anti-Poaching Unit, lion-proof bomas, and infrastructure projects (schools, clinics, water systems). Funding flows through the Community and Conservation Levy (CCL) at Amalinda Safari Collection lodges, direct donations, grants, and sales of community-produced goods.

Product overview

The Mother Africa Trust is a non-profit charitable organization offering a portfolio of community development, wildlife conservation, and experiential tourism programs. Core offerings include Purpose-Driven Safaris (volunteer tourism combining wildlife experiences with community service), the Mother Africa Trust Academic Scholarship (MATAS) for orphaned and vulnerable children, and infrastructure development projects. The organization runs wildlife conservation programs including an Anti-Poaching Unit, lion-proof bomas, and conservation education trips. Community programs span support for Ethandweni Children's Home and Dete Old Age Home, women's empowerment through mushroom cultivation and basket weaving, chicken farming projects, and the Walk In My Shoes shoe donation initiative. Funding is facilitated through the Community and Conservation Levy at partner lodges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Purpose-Driven Safaris (Mains'l Mission Trip) Customized safari programs designed for groups and families that combine wildlife adventure with community service, allowing participants to support conservation and development projects in Zimbabwe while experiencing Matopos and Hwange National Park.
• Mother Africa Trust Academic Scholarship (MATAS) Full scholarship program supporting 26 students from kindergarten to tertiary level with emphasis on orphaned children, vulnerable children, the girl child, and children with disabilities; has produced five university graduates.
• Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) 14-ranger security unit patrolling a 15,500-acre concession and surrounding wildlife areas, collaborating with Friends of Hwange, Painted Dog Conservation, and WildCru.
• Lion-Proof Bomas Livestock predator-proof enclosures installed since 2018 to prevent cattle attacks by predators, with 32 permanent and 6 mobile bomas built by end of April 2025 at $600-$1,000 each.
• Ethandweni Children's Home Support Partnership providing infrastructure renovations, funding, food, medication, and volunteer support to a home serving 42 orphaned and disadvantaged children from Matobo District.
• Dete Old Age Home Programs Support services including vegetable garden, fish farm, piggery and poultry projects, clothing, medication, food, and a solar-powered clean water system for 21 elderly residents.
• Walk In My Shoes Initiative Shoe donation program that has collected 1,987 pairs of shoes since 2018 to provide footwear for rural Zimbabwean children walking barefoot to school.
• Women's Empowerment Programs (Softfoot Alliance Partnership) Agricultural and craft programs including 6-roomed mushroom house training for 21 women in Mabale and Siyanyanga Village, and support for Siyanyanga Women's Basket Weaving Group.
• Rosina's Chicken Project Poultry farming initiative delivering 100 point-of-lay chickens producing 60 eggs daily to support household nutrition and income security.
• Conservation Education Trips Sponsored field trips to National Parks for disadvantaged rural students including rhino tracking, bird-watching, and environmental education activities.
• Infrastructure Development Projects Construction and renovation of schools, clinics, teachers' cottages, ablution facilities, and mothers' waiting shelters, including Mgadla Primary School serving 62 learners.
• Community and Conservation Levy (CCL) Funding mechanism implemented at Amalinda Lodge where guest contributions support community development initiatives, the Anti-Poaching Unit, and conservation efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 62 learners previously walking 8km can now attend Mgadla Primary School
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amalinda Safari CollectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration with Amalinda Safari Collection (Amalinda Lodge, Ivory Lodge, Khulu Bush Camp) generating the Community and Conservation Levy (CCL) fully allocated to community development and conservation efforts. The partnership enables purpose-driven safari programs and consistent funding for Trust initiatives.
• Softfoot AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting women's empowerment programs in Mabale and Siyanyanga Village through agriculture and crafts initiatives, including the 6-roomed mushroom house training 21 women in oyster mushroom cultivation.
• Painted Dog Conservation CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided drilling and installation of a borehole with solar-powered water pump supporting the Ilala garden and women's agricultural activities.
• Friends of Hwange RangersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Friends of Hwange rangers to enhance security efforts in wildlife areas bordering Hwange National Park.
• Painted Dog ConservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to enhance security efforts in wildlife areas bordering Hwange National Park.
• WildCruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to enhance security efforts in wildlife areas bordering Hwange National Park.
• Paul CoppominorOthersAustralian trainer providing comprehensive training in self-defense and arrest techniques to the Anti-Poaching Unit rangers.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Painted Dog Conservation: Zimbabwe-based NGO focused on painted dog (African wild dog) conservation with community education components near Hwange. Direct geographic and operational peer, and named partner of The Mother Africa Trust.
• Great Plains Conservation: Safari operator with integrated conservation (including rhino anti-poaching) and community programs across Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Comparable eco-tourism-funded conservation model with strong community uplift focus.
• Softfoot Alliance: Conservation and community development organization supporting women's empowerment programs in partnership with The Mother Africa Trust. Directly comparable women's empowerment and rural livelihood programming in the same geography.
• &Beyond: Luxury safari operator with integrated conservation and community impact programs, including the &Beyond Foundation. Directly comparable as a high-end safari operator that channels guest revenue toward community and conservation projects in Southern Africa.
• Singita Grumeti: High-end safari operator with dedicated conservation programs (anti-poaching, conservation grants) and community partnerships in Tanzania. Closely comparable integrated model combining premium eco-tourism, conservation funding, and community development.

Broad incumbents

• African Parks: Large-scale conservation NGO managing protected areas across Africa with ranger operations and community engagement. Comparable for the anti-poaching unit operations and large concession management.
• African Wildlife Foundation: Larger pan-African conservation NGO operating across multiple countries. Comparable in combining wildlife protection with community development programs and grant-funded project delivery in East/Southern Africa.
• Tusk Trust: UK-based conservation NGO supporting African wildlife and community projects including anti-poaching units and education. Comparable as an NGO grantmaker/fundraiser channeling donor capital to field conservation programs across Africa.
• Wilderness Safaris: Major Southern African safari operator with dedicated Children in the Wilderness and Conservation Legacy programs. Comparable integrated model funding community and conservation through premium tourism revenue.

Regional players

• Conservation Lower Zambezi: Zambia-based community conservation NGO operating anti-poaching units and community programs near Lower Zambezi National Park. Comparable as a Southern African community-based conservation NGO with similar operational model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-mother-africa-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Mother Africa Trust