We believe in the power of (we)
Vision
Igniting resilient and thriving communities
Mission
To be the catalyst for igniting community wisdom, resilience and innovation to drive inclusive, sustainable social and economic empowerment in South Africa.
Our Approach: Siyakhwezela
Just as our ancestors gently blew on embers to re-ignite a flame, (we):
Amplify authentic voices that have been waiting to be heard.
Empower collective action that transforms communities.
Revolutionise philanthropy from giving to enabling.
Brand Essence
Shifting Power, Igniting Community Wisdom for Social Impact and Entrepreneurship.
Through our unique Siyakhwezela approach, (we): amplify authentic voices, empower collective action and transform philanthropy.
B(WE)F believes in the power of ‘we’. Like our ancestors who gathered around fire to share wisdom and build community, we’re here to listen and nurture the embers of potential already glowing within our communities. The (we) in our name represents our foundational belief that transformation happens through collective wisdom and shared action.
Brand Promise
B(WE)F promises to be a steadfast partner in igniting the power of communities to drive their own transformative change, by affirming their wisdom, strengthening their capacity, and amplifying their voices to achieve sustainable impact in Education, Environment, Entrepreneurship and Youth Development.
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Our five key priorities:
Education
At B[WE]F, we believe true empowerment sparks from within each individual's thirst for knowledge – their Ember Within. Our programmes nurture this spark, illuminating learning paths and restoring dignity through self-driven growth.
Environment
We foster sustainable practices by recognizing the community's innate resourcefulness – their Ember Within – to address environmental challenges. By co-creating local solutions, we restore dignity to both people and our planet.
Entrepreneurship
Every individual holds an Ember Within – a spark of innovation ready to fuel economic independence. Our programmes fan these sparks, supporting local economic empowerment and restoring dignity through self-reliance and job creation.
Social Empowerment
A community's true strength lies in its collective Ember Within – shared wisdom and enduring bonds. Our initiatives nurture these connections and leadership, fostering inclusive societies where every voice is amplified and dignity affirmed.
Youth Development
The dynamism of young people is a powerful Ember Within for any community's future. Our programs nurture this potential, fostering leadership and innovation to ignite a new generation of visionaries. By empowering youth to own their dreams, act on their aspirations and exercise their agency, we ignite more vibrant futures.
Our unique storytelling approach:
We believe in the transformative power of stories. Our unique storytelling approach is not just about collecting tales; it’s about weaving a tapestry of wisdom that bridges communities, ignites change, and illuminates paths to sustainable development.
Restoring Dignity & Igniting Self-Belief
By reflecting communities' true potential, storytelling affirms their brilliance and activates their own power. It restores dignity by celebrating authentic self-reliance.
Catalysing Collective Action
Stories build bridges between different knowledge systems and generations. They foster unity and empower communities to act, bringing the spirit of "Ubuntu – We Are Because I AM" to life.
Informing Strategy & Fueling Advocacy
The rich insights from these stories are vital for B(WE)F’s strategic work and advocacy efforts. They ensure our interventions are truly community-informed and "catalyse changes that are for communities". Stories ensure development always has a "human face".
Building a Living Knowledge Hub
By meticulously documenting these powerful narratives, B(WE)F creates a unique hub of best practices. This hub showcases our impact and opens doors for new partnerships and scalable solutions.
Central to our approach is the recognition of the fundamental importance of heritage to African identity.
We honour our clan names and ancestral lineages
as sources of individual and collective pride.
We view stories as living connections to our past, informing our present, and guiding our future.
We celebrate the diversity of African cultures
while recognising our shared experiences and
values.
We honour our clan names and ancestral lineages
as sources of individual and collective pride.
We view stories as living connections to our past, informing our present, and guiding our future.
We celebrate the diversity of African cultures
while recognising our shared experiences and
values.
Discover stories of our embers:
Kliptown Stories
My Hammanskraal Hero
Busani Textiles
Active Revision
Kidz Hub
Why Storytelling? We believe stories are more that just narratives; they are bridges between different knowledge systems.
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