The origins of the Children's Hospital (CH) traces back to a concept paper drawn by NMCF CEO Sibongile Mkhabela. Consideration of the CH Concept Paper by NMCF founding chairman, Nelson Mandela and his wife, Ms Graca Machel
led to their endorsement of the concept. Further consideration of the concept by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
saw it adopting a resolution giving the proposed Children's Hospital Special Project Status on November 17, 2005 . Added support came from luminaries such as Bishop Tutu, Dr John Howe, President of Project Hope in the USA , Woman Business Pioneer Ms Wendy Luhabe, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Professor Mohale Mahanyele, Bishop Joe Seoka, Archbishop of Buti Thlagale, Archbishop Ndanga Phaswane, and the National and Gauteng Health departments.

Growing support for a child-centred facility from various key stakeholders gave rationale to the NMCF Board of trustees giving mandate to management to explore all avenues possible for the desired establishment of the facility by the executive directive of its CEO Sibongile Mkhabela.