About us

The Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute (CMMI) is a family initiative born out of the desire to preserve, promote, elevate and leverage the legacy left behind by Mme Charlotte. The CMMI was founded by three families related to this icon, namely the Maxeke’s, the Mannya’s, and the Makhanya’s (her sister Katie married into the Makhanya’s). The CMMI has been registered as a non-profit company (NPC).

MME Charlotte’s achievements and contributions to society both inside and beyond South Africa’s borders motivated the families to seek recognition of her accomplishments as well as continue to promote her teachings, the values she stood for, and the continued empowering of women and social activism she pursued during her lifetime.

In 2008 the Johannesburg General Hospital was renamed to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. It was one of three Gauteng hospitals renamed to honour individuals who had made a significant contribution to South Africa’s development. The CMMI would like to continue to build on this legacy.

Our most important objective is to establish a Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke African Girls School of Excellence (AGSE). Our vision includes building a modern, state-of-the-art educational, cultural, sports, and boarding facility that will, through its high standards, be considered one of the premier science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational institutions in the world.

Furthermore, the institute’s aim and objectives include:

  • Highlight Mme Charlotte’s history, preserve her heritage and celebrate her legacy.
  • Promote her teaching in the present context and through relevant programmes.
  • Revitalise, Rebrand and Reposition (RRR) her legacy through social developmental programmes and women empowerment initiatives that are aligned with her beliefs and values.
  • Re-connect with all institutions associated with MME Charlotte – both within South Africa and abroad. These include the Wilberforce College in RSA and the Wilberforce University in the USA, AME Church, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, all relevant families in the country and abroad…
  • Play a meaningful role in the regeneration of the African continent through the creation of an environment conducive to the growth of competent women of excellence and integrity who are able to compete on a global level.
  • Discover new talent via world-class skills enhancement programmes that will contribute to the production of high-minded citizens who will play a meaningful role in South Africa’s 2030 National Development Plan and African Union’s 2063 Vision.
  • Acknowledge and honour in particular African female icons and their contributions to the country, continent and the world.
  • Celebrating and encouraging women’s excellence.
  • Pave the way to establish a museum in honour of MME Charlotte by identifying and collecting the relevant archives and documentation, in order to disseminate and display a rich and comprehensive history of this icon.