Brief
Lesley‑Ann Brandt champions youth education at Kay Mason Foundation’s Hummingbird Ball
The Cape Town‑born star addressed guests via video at the foundation’s Zeitz MOCAA fundraiser, linking her international career to local education work.
By Felo News Desk · Published
South African‑born actress Lesley‑Ann Brandt used a video address at the Kay Mason Foundation’s Hummingbird Ball on 7 October, held at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, to stress the importance of education for young South Africans, according to bizcommunity.com.
What happened
The Hummingbird Ball, a fundraiser for the Kay Mason Foundation (KMF), took place at Zeitz MOCAA on 7 October. Brandt, a patron of KMF, appeared via video to speak to an audience drawn from South Africa’s business, finance and cultural sectors. She highlighted how access to education and resources can shape future leaders.
What the report adds
Bizcommunity noted that Brandt’s remarks were part of a broader effort to raise awareness for KMF’s work, which focuses on helping young people access schooling and develop leadership potential. The article also detailed Brandt’s personal background – born in 1981 in Athlone, Cape Town, she left South Africa for New Zealand two weeks after matriculating – and listed several of her international screen credits, including Lucifer, Spartacus, and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. It mentioned that post‑production on the second season of Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent is wrapping up.
What was said
Brandt told the audience, “I’m just really interested in dynamic, layered, complex stories,” and added that “sometimes women can be written one‑dimensionally, but there are such incredibly juicy roles in television, particularly for women.” She also linked her own life trajectory to the foundation’s mission, saying that opportunities and resources had taken her on a different path than originally envisioned.
How it came about
Brandt’s involvement with KMF builds on her long‑standing commitment to education in South Africa. The foundation’s recent Hummingbird Ball follows other local initiatives aimed at supporting youth, such as the AI‑driven Saving Grace Tutor offered free to Grade‑12 learners (Felo coverage) and the Dentsu School of Influence’s One Big Week programme (Felo coverage). These efforts reflect a broader cultural push to invest in South African talent and opportunity.
Key facts
- Lesley‑Ann Brandt addressed the Kay Mason Foundation’s Hummingbird Ball via video on 7 October. (bizcommunity.com)
- The event was held at Zeitz MOCAA and targeted South Africa’s business, finance and cultural communities. (bizcommunity.com)
- Brandt is a patron of the Kay Mason Foundation, which helps young South Africans access education and leadership development. (bizcommunity.com)
- Brandt was born in 1981 in Athlone, Cape Town, and left for New Zealand after matriculating. (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “From Cape Town to Hollywood: Lesley-Ann Brandt backs youth education in South Africa”
