Every organisation has its defining moments, but for Breadline Africa, more than a decade has been shaped by a deep and enduring vision, one led with compassion, conviction and courage by outgoing CEO, Marion Wagner. Her journey with Breadline Africa began in 2014, and over the years she helped steer the organisation from strength to strength, growing its impact, deepening its partnerships and building a legacy of dignity and safety for South Africa’s children.
When Marion reflects on her time at the helm, the milestones are many. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led Breadline Africa’s rapid pivot into an emergency feeding organisation, delivering more than four million meals to families affected by school closures and job losses. In the years that followed, she guided the organisation to reach its 1,000th infrastructure unit in 2023, a milestone that stands as a testament to the dedication of the Breadline Africa team, its board and partners. Throughout it all, her leadership has been grounded in empathy and a fierce belief that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow and thrive.
“I have always believed that a child’s environment shapes their future,” she says. “Too many children in South Africa are denied the opportunity to learn in safe, nurturing spaces simply because of where they are born. By improving classrooms, kitchens, toilets and libraries, we are giving children access to quality early learning and a real chance at a better future.”
Under her leadership, Breadline Africa became more than a provider of infrastructure. It became a partner in change, working alongside communities, government and donors to replace unsafe and inadequate facilities with environments of care and possibility. For Marion, this has always been about more than bricks and mortar. It has been about restoring dignity and protecting lives.
Her vision continues to echo in the organisation’s most urgent mission: to eliminate unsafe pit toilets in schools. “What drives me is the belief that dignity and safety are not privileges, but basic rights every child deserves,” she says. “No child should ever have to risk their life to use a toilet or try to learn in fear. Replacing unsafe pit toilets is about restoring hope and improving children’s health, dignity and attendance. Every safe structure we place is a step towards a fair start in life.”
As Marion steps into a new chapter, her journey with Breadline Africa continues in a focused and powerful way. She will lead the organisation’s national campaign to eradicate unsafe pit toilets, continuing the work closest to her heart and championing the safety and dignity of South Africa’s children.
Her successor, Hennie Louw, brings with him the same commitment to purpose and a renewed energy to build on what has already been achieved. Having spent many years in the corporate sector, Hennie felt a growing need to apply his experience where it could make a tangible difference. “I reached a point where I wanted to do something meaningful, something that could change lives,” he shares. “That journey led me to Breadline Africa.”
For Hennie, this next phase is about scaling Breadline Africa’s reach and broadening its solutions to meet the pressing needs of South Africa’s children. “What excites me most is the potential to expand our impact,” he explains. “We will aim to grow our programmes and find creative, effective ways to address the real challenges faced by early childhood development centres and schools across the country. My hope is that Breadline Africa continues to do what it does best, changing lives through safe, inspiring spaces, but on an even greater scale.”
As he takes up the role of CEO, Hennie is deeply mindful of the foundation Marion has built. “Marion has set an incredible example,” he says. “My goal is to honour that legacy and ensure Breadline Africa continues its vital work, while finding new opportunities to grow and innovate over time.”
Together, Marion’s legacy and Hennie’s vision form part of the same story, one of steadfast purpose and enduring hope. Breadline Africa’s journey has always been about the power of collective action, the belief that when people come together with compassion and determination, they can change the future for generations of children.
From the very first converted shipping container placed three decades ago to the thousandth classroom, kitchen or toilet installed today, Breadline Africa’s mission remains unchanged, to give every child the safety, dignity and opportunity they deserve.
Marion’s journey reminds us how far we have come. Hennie’s leadership points to how much further we can go. And through it all, the vision endures: that every child, in every corner of South Africa, should be able to learn and grow in a space that says, simply, you matter.
