View our collective impact
View our collective impact
Our Journey of Growth
Since 2007, Tree of Life has developed into a trusted platform for strategic, charitable giving to South African charities and organisations.
Mobilising collective charitable capital for multiplied impact in
South Africa
A foundation built on
trust and fiduciary excellence
trust and fiduciary excellence
Who we are
The Tree of Life Foundation was established as a South African Trust in 2007 to provide a robust, tax-compliant structure for more impactful charitable giving. Built on Biblical principles, we exist to help donors move beyond simple grant-making into a more strategic model of giving – one that allows collective charitable capital to be managed, grown, and directed with greater purpose over time.
Tree of Life is registered with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), making it a tax-exempt vehicle for qualifying charitable giving.
As a PBO, Tree of Life may invest in trading companies but does not operate as one. The Foundation is the sole shareholder of a commercial investment entity, SAAD Investment Holdings, that manages its operations.
Our vision
To grow collective charitable capital to drive transformative, lasting change across South Africa.
Our mission
To offer a trusted, expert platform that mobilises, grows, and directs charitable capital, helping you give efficiently, with multiplied impact.
In line with this, our core objectives are:
Investment growth
We use specialised financial structures and investment tools to maximise returns and grow the pool of charitable funds available for distribution over time.
Multiplied impact
By combining donor capital within a professional structure, we help create more sustainable support for charities and impact-led organisations, significantly increasing the results of giving beyond what individual donors can typically achieve on their own.
Our values
The Tree of Life Foundation is built on Biblical principles and support charities and organisations that are not in contradiction with these values.
These convictions also shape how we view stewardship, charity, accountability, and purpose.
2007
Established as a South African trust to support investment-driven charitable giving.
2014
Adopted a progressive distribution policy, formalising our commitment to sustainable annual distributions from Net Asset Value.
2016
Launched the Donor-advised fund platform, offering our specialised structures and investment expertise to outside donors to help multiply charitable capital and deepen its impact.
Since 2022
Distributed R331 million to over 140 charities.
Dependable fiduciary oversight
Our governance structure is designed to provide strong fiduciary oversight and expert stewardship. Our board of trustees bring decades of experience across investment management, governance, and executive leadership.
This depth of expertise ensures that your charitable capital is managed to the highest professional standards.
While our board provides strategic oversight, our administration and investment oversight is performed by our wholly-owned subsidiary SAAD Investment Holdings. Our team members partner with you to implement your giving strategy efficiently, with great professional care and accountability.
Board Members
Click on each block for more information
Johan Du Preez
Trustee
Johan is an experienced CEO and is well known for his turnaround expertise. He is the founder of the Tree of Life Foundation and SAAD Investment Holdings.
Johan du Preez
Trustee
Johan founded the Tree of Life Foundation and SAAD Investment Holdings after a successful career leading Sanlam Health, Glacier by Sanlam, and Quince Capital. He also served as CEO of Cipla Medpro, overseeing its R4.5 billion sale to Cipla India. As a Tree of Life trustee he drives the strategic direction of the group and also serves as a Director of SAAD Investment Holdings.
Omri Thomas
Trustee
Omri Thomas is an experienced investment professional and a shareholder in Abax Investments, a boutique asset manager.
Omri Thomas
Trustee
Omri built a distinguished investment career as CIO of Sanlam Investment Management and co-founder of Abax Investments, where he helped grow assets under management from
R13 billion to R110 billion. As a Tree of Life Trustee he guides the investment strategy of the group and also serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee at SAAD Investment Holdings.
Paul Zondagh
Trustee
Paul Zondagh is a practising actuary and founding partner of True South Actuaries and Consultants. His experience spans insurance, healthcare and governance.
Paul Zondagh
Trustee
Paul co-founded True South Actuaries and Consultants in 2001 after working at Sanlam and IBM in Belgium. A Fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary, his experience spans insurance, healthcare, risk and governance. As a Tree of Life trustee, he contributes to the stewardship of donor capital and its long-term charitable impact.
