Serving the mantra: “To give, to love, to live”

The Bertie Lubner Humanitarian Award celebrates individuals or organisations committed to community, inclusion, and making a sustainable impact. 

Through their sponsorship of this award, and in keeping with their ethos of “to give, to love, to live”, the Lubner Family Foundation honours those who go beyond the conventional and act courageously in the service of others; those who not only identify need, but actively engage, uplift, and empower communities. 

The award draws inspiration from the late Dr Bertie Lubner, whose lifemission embodied the belief that “we make a living by what we earn; but we make a life by what we give”. Through his founding of initiatives such as Afrika Tikkun and the Field Band Foundation, he modelled hands-on humanitarian engagement, humility, and sustained service. 

Today, the Lubner Family Foundation is carried forward by the second and third generation – led by Takara Lubner – who actively lead projects that promote disability inclusion; youth development; and social innovation. Their vision is simple but far-reaching: to create a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment. 

Central to their work are four organisations built on the founding principles of responsible kindness, collaboration, and community engagement: 

• Afrika Tikkun; a Jewish-led movement for change and transformation founded in 1994 by Bertie Lubner and Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris. Marrying tzedakah with the spirit of ubuntu, Afrika Tikkun collaborates with donors, volunteers and business investors to develop and upskill the lives of young South Africans. Its cradle-to-career model is a comprehensive approach to child and youth development, and considers the holistic needs of each young person across different stages of their lives, including nutrition, education, psycho-social support, and primary healthcare; 

• Smile Foundation; established out of a request by Nelson Mandela, the Smile Foundation provides reconstructive surgery and integrated support for children with facial and other disabilities; 

• Field Band Foundation; founded by the Lubners in the late 1990s, the Field Band Foundation is a non-profit company that develops youth through music, performance, and lifeskills training, especially in township communities; and 

• Sabrina Love Foundation; in memory of Sabrina Lubner, this Western Cape-based organisation offers holistic care, therapy, and inclusive education for children with special needs. 

The Lubner Family Foundation’s sponsorship of the Investec Jewish Achiever Humanitarian Award honours an enduring commitment to inclusive development and social responsibility. The award is more than recognition, it’s a call to action for all of us to contribute to a society where compassion and inclusion guide every interaction. We look forward to recognising and celebrating exceptional humanitarians whose work embodies dignity, courage, and a vision for a more equitable world. 

Marc Lubner