Kevin Chaplin: I Am Because We Are

Kevin Chaplin is a South African social entrepreneur, speaker, and author, best known as the Managing Director of the Amy Foundation (Cape Town), Founder of the South African Ubuntu Foundation and author of Can Do! Making the Impossible Possible. In this episode of Best Life, Shay sits down with his long-time friend for an extraordinary conversation about purpose, forgiveness and the power we have to change other people’s lives. After a successful career in banking in South Africa, Kevin reached his early forties questioning what he wanted the next chapter of his life to look like. Despite his professional success, he wanted to do something with greater purpose and impact. That decision ultimately led him to establish the South African Ubuntu Foundation, bringing people from different races, cultures, religions and backgrounds together, and later to take over the leadership of the Amy Foundation. At the heart of the episode is the extraordinary story of Amy Biehl and how an unimaginable tragedy became a story of forgiveness, reconciliation and hope. The episode takes its name from the African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are” the belief that our humanity is connected to the humanity of others. It is an idea that has shaped much of Kevin’s life and work. In this episode, Shay and Kevin explore: Leaving a successful banking career to pursue a life with greater purpose The meaning of Ubuntu and the importance of breaking down barriers between people The remarkable story of Amy Biehl and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation Kevin’s relationship with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the influence of Nelson Mandela Creating opportunities for young people through the Amy Foundation Why changing one life can create a ripple effect through families and communities Kevin’s “can do” philosophy and the importance of belief, planning and the people around us Why true success is about more than what we achieve for ourselves Shay has known Kevin for around 15 years, making this a particularly personal conversation. Together they explore what it really means to live a life of purpose and how acts of courage, compassion and forgiveness can have consequences far beyond anything we might ever imagine. Show notes: Website: https://amyfoundation.co.za Donate: https://amyfoundation.co.za/donate-today/ Instagram: @amyfoundationsa Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Do-Making-Impossible-Possible/dp/0987042815/