A woman and a boy are looking at a colorful book or magazine together in a classroom setting, with other students visible in the background.
A young man outdoors wearing a Santa hat, smiling, giving a thumbs up, and wearing a black t-shirt with a white bicycle graphic.

About the foundation.

A person reading a bicycle magazine at a gray countertop with a book titled 'Gantry Rules', while wearing a cycling cap and a white and red sports jersey.
Two children pointing at a large detailed map on the wall in a classroom.

A mission that aims to make a lasting difference to those people less fortunate than ourselves by providing them access to Sport, Education and Employment/entrepreneurship opportunities. 

Especially children and young adults growing up in poverty or environments that deny them the opportunities that enable them to become the best they can be, or even just to live a normal and healthy life. Imagine a world without the thought leadership of Albert Einstein or Nelson Mandela. Imagine if someone from a disadvantaged community, in the ‘developing’ or ‘developed’ world, might have the same impact, but just didn’t have the opportunity to make a difference. Our projects are based on developing academies to enable students the opportunity to realise that potential. Using sport as a catalyst, and coupled with a structured after school education programme being driven by values and principles, these academies have made a difference to the lives of many students.

Four young men sit closely together, looking at a laptop screen with focused expressions.

Meet the trustees.

  • A man wearing a gray helmet and sunglasses is taking a selfie while holding a mountain bike on his shoulder. He is outdoors in a lush green area with trees and a red-roofed building in the background.

    Jan Joubert

    TRUSTEE

    Jan is one of the founders and trustees of the Buffalo Foundation and the CEO of Rainmaker Solutions. Jan’s passion for making a difference has seen the launch and growth of The Buffalo Foundation grow from a small group to a registered charity, supporting good causes around the world.

  • Smiling man wearing cycling helmet and sunglasses taking a selfie with a scenic landscape of mountains, fields, and a lake in the background.

    Tim Hanley

    TRUSTEE

    Tim is also a founding trustee of the Buffalo Foundation alongside Jan, and is Chief Operating Officer of Rainmaker Solutions. Tim’s background in operations and IT has helped ensure the birth and growth of The Buffalo Foundation is both sustainable and helping to prepare for growth in the future.

  • A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard standing on a wooded trail wearing a navy hoodie with pink and white lettering. The background shows green trees and a dirt path.

    Sven Thiele

    TRUSTEE


    Sven Thiele was founder of Hotchillee the global cycling events and community which initiated academy programs in Western Cape as far back as 2012.  More recently he is founder of MangoMoon.io a specialist service provider pioneering innovative projects that move the needle. Sven’s experience of cycling and existing links to cycling academies across South Africa has enabled The Buffalo Foundation to learn from experts in running academies and provide greater support to those that need it. Sven joined the Board of Trustees in April 2018.

Our partners.

Rainmaker logo with a cloud and rain icon above the text

Rainmaker Solutions passionately believes technology should be something that enables our businesses to realise our greatest ambitions. A digital business transformation company that helps world-class organisations, across the globe, plan, implement and embed lasting change to future-proof their businesses, Rainmaker believe in making a difference. Rainmaker’s CEO and COO founded the Buffalo Foundation and provided support through volunteered time and expertise of staff.

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MangoMoon is a collective where vibrant creativity intersects with mindful innovation- making impossible possible. We are a team of forward-thinking professionals committed to crafting authentic, impactful solutions that resonate deeply with today’s conscious consumers. Our expertise is grounded in a rich tapestry of pioneering experiences, with a forward-leaning approach in emerging technologies like AI and machine learning.

CharitableBookings.com logo with a blue heart checkmark and the words 'CharitableBookings.com PREMIUM' in teal, orange, and dark blue text.

CharitableBookings.com is a travel and lifestyle platform with a social purpose, helping raise unrestricted funds for thousands of charitable causes from local projects to global endeavours at no additional cost. The Buffalo Foundation is delighted to be a beneficiary of CharitableBookings.com’s Premium membership launch.