An elite gathering attended the Kay Mason Foundation’s Hummingbird Ball in Cape Town, on October 7, 2026 at The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA). The Foundation invests in academically gifted learners from under-resourced communities, equipping them with quality education, leadership development, mentorship and life skills”. Read on for more about the Ball, which was by invitation-only, raising funds to support the work of the Foundation:
Business and cultural elite gather at Kay Mason Foundation’s Hummingbird Ball – A remarkable night of influence, philanthropy, and star power
Cape Town — An extraordinary mix of high-net-worth philanthropists, business leaders, and international stars, gathered at The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) on October 7, 2026, for The Kay Mason Foundation’s (KMF) Hummingbird Ball — a night that brought together some of the country’s most influential figures across finance, business, and culture in support of a common purpose: unlocking the potential of young South Africans through education.
Hosted for 200 guests, The Hummingbird Ball was a powerful demonstration of the unusual convening force of the KMF, an organisation that has built a remarkable community around the belief that talent is widely distributed across society, but opportunity is not.
Following the foundation’s London ball, which brought together an equally remarkable audience, including star actors and high society royalty, the inaugural Cape Town edition continued that momentum, creating a uniquely South African gathering in which philanthropic and cultural capital were brought together around a shared investment in the next generation.
Sponsored by Barclays, the invitation-only event functioned to support the Foundation’s work, raising funds through a live auction. The evening unfolded with many memorable moments, from glitzy red-carpet arrivals to performances by comedian Marc Lottering and magician Jacques le Sueur, who brought their own brand of humour and theatricality to the celebration.
Hollywood actress and KMF Patron Lesley-Ann Brandt delivered the opening video address, with hosts, Founder Richard Mason and Dr Ziyana Lategan (University of Cape Town) introducing speakers Nav Singh (Head of International Markets for Barclays International Banking); Liesl Hartman (Head of Zeitz MOCAA’s BMW Centre for Art Education, and KMF graduate Dr Kevin Stoffberg. Their contributions highlighted the importance of investing not simply in education, but what it enables – agency and long-term change.
Richard Mason expanded: “The Hummingbird Ball is about solutions. We chose that name because it’s a beautiful metaphor, as Hummingbirds achieve the impossible – they make miracles happen. Some species flap their wings 100 beats a second, which, if you’re born in a shack in Khayelitsha and you want to become a High Court Justice and defend the Constitution, you also need to do. Hummingbirds fertilise the entire ecosystem, making life better for everyone – and so do the leaders that the Kay Mason Foundation nurtures.”
The Zeitz MOCAA event saw an extraordinary line-up of experiences and coveted items go under the hammer, with auctioneer Ariella Kuper driving enthusiastic bidding among guests. Highlight items included Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons’ Bvlgari watch; a behind the scenes experience with the DHL Stormers; tennis at Wimbledon with adventurer Bear Grylls; and a London adventure with dinner at the Palace of Westminster.
Another high point was star-studded video drop-ins by screen legends such as Joanna Lumley, Eddie Redmayne, and Jeremy Irons, who joined from afar. Irons said, “KMF is truly an extraordinary organisation, and one that deserves as much generosity as we can give.” Bear Grylls added, “The KMF is all about hope and legacy, and helping so many young people to transform their lives – what an inspiration!”
Breaking Bad sensation Aaron Paul also lent his voice, saying, “I feel so blessed to be a very small part of this evening. I am such a massive fan of the KMF, and I’m so proud to support it.”
The Hummingbird theme was woven into the evening, with immersive décor and a crafted soundscape transforming the space into an evocative world of colour, movement and flight. But it was the presence of KMF students and alumni that provided the most compelling reminder of what the ball was ultimately about. Their journeys offered tangible proof of what can transpire when young people are equipped not only to succeed academically, but to lead and contribute to society.
The ball comes at a significant moment ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 19. For the KMF, poverty is not simply a question of income, but whether a young person has access to the networks, mentorship, and support needed to determine the course of their life.
The foundation offers a pathway from potential to leadership, to lasting social change. The students and alumni present at The Hummingbird Ball embodied that — demonstrating what becomes possible when people from business, philanthropy and public life choose to invest in breaking down barriers.
By creating a powerful platform for generating funding for an educational NGO, the Hummingbird Ball pointed to a broader model for the future of educational philanthropy.
ABOUT KAY MASON FOUNDATION
For nearly three decades, the Kay Mason Foundation has invested in academically gifted learners from under-resourced communities, equipping them with quality education, leadership development, mentorship and life skills. Through its holistic support model, the Foundation has helped hundreds of young South Africans realise their potential and build successful careers across a wide range of professions.
❇ Marc Lottering performed at the Kay Mason Foundation’s Hummingbird Ball in Cape Town, on October 7, 2026 at The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA). Sponsored content. Images supplied.
