The IKUSASU Trust

ikusasa {isizulu} tomorrow, in the future

Activate has created the IKUSASA trust to merge the challenges and opportunities of climate change and sustainable urban environments with black economic empowerment. This is done through scholarships that fund tertiary post graduate education and mentorship of future ‘black’ professionals who are passionate about sustainable built environment and green building design.

IKUSASA is a broad black economic empowerment (BBBEE) initiative set up in accordance with the DTI BEE Codes of Good Conduct and the trust addresses objectives outlined in terms of skill development and corporate social investment in the South African Construction Charter through which the trust is able to raise funds for its beneficiaries’ postgraduate studies.

This program launched in 2009 and has a number of beneficiaries to date.

Design leaders in practice

IKUSASA aims to grow leader quality built environment professionals in practice. Too often good designers and considerate design talent stay in the academic zone, resulting in the practicing arena lacking design leaders.

Green postgrads

The scholarships will focus on PDI postgraduate applicants who are moving from an undergrad university degree to a postgrad degree, as well as students looking to move from B tech diploma to a postgrad degree at university.

Students who wish to apply will need to dispaly a sound understanding of the importance of sustainable and green building design, and be able to illustrate this with a relevant body of work in their portfolio of undergrad studies.

Mentor all-rounders

IKUSASA aims to build all-round individuals who have a sound ethical compass, a grounded sense of business and an entrepreneurial spirit - not letting pure academic success be the measure and objective. Beneficiaries will be mentored by trustees and other experienced volunteers who can guide them to meet their full potential.

The trustees are: Given Mvumbi, Paul Kapelus, Edward Brooks, Reon van der Wiel, Michael Magner and Siza Majola. Trust Manager is Taryn Hilton.