Join us in conversation with Sophia Warner
Honouring Inspirational Women – This Women’s Day
Each year in August, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day – a moment that recognises the strength, resilience, and vital contributions women make to society and our nation as a whole. One woman who exemplifies these values is Sophia Warner, CEO of the Pebbles Project, a charitable foundation that has been a proud partner of the FACET Foundation and Delaire Graff Estate for over a decade.
SOPHIA wARNER
Pebbles Project CEO
We engaged in a dialogue with Sophia to gain some insight into her inspirational journey, which spans over 10 years.
What inspired you to found the Pebbles Project?
I graduated in 1990 from Chester College in the United Kingdom with a degree in teaching. I began my career at an inner-city school in London, where I supported asylum seekers and refugees. I later specialised in Special Educational Needs and learned British Sign Language to work with children who have severe hearing impairments. I also spent time in Romania with children who have physical disabilities, followed by two years in the Dominican Republic. I moved to South Africa in 2003, following my sister, who had also moved here five years earlier, and is also my best friend. I immediately fell in love with the country and its people.
With my background in education and my sister’s experience in the wine industry, it made sense to focus on supporting children in wine-farming communities. Many farms had small crèches, but these lacked formal programmes and structure. That’s where we began – partnering with five farms in Stellenbosch, reaching 135 children. Today, I am proud to say that we support 90 farm communities and over 1,350 children.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you?
No two days are the same, which I love—I thrive on variety. Some days I’m at our head office meeting with the team and overseeing daily operations. On other days, I’m out visiting partners, donors or collaborating with other organisations. I also spend time writing funding proposals, donor reports or attending training workshops. As CEO of Pebbles, I’m responsible for leading the team and managing the organisation, so I work hard to ensure everything runs smoothly and that we continue to make the right decisions.
What motivates and drives you?
I’m motivated by problem-solving – I enjoy discovering innovative and cost-effective ways to overcome obstacles. I firmly believe that every child deserves the best opportunities in life, and leveraging my background, training and passion is what drives me daily.
I see great growth ahead for the Pebbles Project, thanks to our talented team, who are ready to take our programmes to the next level. I’m excited to see where we’ll be in 10 years. I’ve also started a new organisation in Somerset West called Khethani Women’s Wellness, which focuses on preventing teenage pregnancy and supporting women in crisis. I look forward to watching it grow into something very special.
What are your proudest achievements?
My greatest personal achievement is raising my two beautiful children as a single mother while leading the Pebbles Project full-time. Watching them grow into confident, emotionally intelligent young adults fills me with immense pride. Professionally, I’m especially proud of founding the Pebbles Academy, a small independent school that provides early childhood and primary education to over 110 children.
What advice would you give to people hoping to make a meaningful difference in the world?
My advice is to be practical: first, clearly identify the problem you want to solve. Then, develop a realistic plan to address it and share that plan with people who believe in your vision and may be willing to support you. Stay positive even when setbacks occur, and always show gratitude to everyone who helps you along the way.
What does the future hold for the Pebbles Project?
We are constantly evolving, and the next five to 10 years will bring even greater growth, particularly in the regions where we already operate. We aim to expand all our programmes across these areas, providing comprehensive and holistic support to each community. We are also enthusiastic about the potential expansion of our Youth Development Programme, which seeks to create more opportunities for tertiary education, employment and entrepreneurship for young adults.
Learn more about the Pebbles Project and how you can help support its outreach programmes – click here
To donate to the Pebbles Project via Just Giving – click here
“Through the FACET Foundation, we work with local partners to develop targeted programmes designed to improve standards of health, education and well-being. In doing so, we aim to make a fundamental difference to communities in Southern Africa.”
Laurence Graff OBE
