Impact investments that keep under-served communities relevant

Research-driven designs informed by a humanitarian mission

IMPACT investments that keep UNDER-SERVED communities RELEVANT

Thanks to the vision of Deborah Terhune, founder of Growing Up Africa, the development of the Devland Soweto

Education Campus went from concept to completion over a period of seven years and is set to make a lasting difference.

Anon-profit organisation, Growing Up Africa’s mission is to build resilient education structures and related infrastructure for a future of ecological, social and economic sustainability.

Every potential project begins with extensive research. In South Africa’s case, this revealed that access to technology was not keeping up with the educational needs of underserved communities. When presented with the Devland Soweto site as an opportunity to build an education campus, Growing Up Africa set on a path to design and build a facility to anticipate innovation and the technological needs of the future.

Growing Up Africa’s research was aligned with the findings of Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, vice chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ). In a paper co-written with fellow UJ faculty member Dr Bo Xing, entitled ‘Implications of the Fourth Industrial Age on Higher Education’ (The Thinker, Vol. 73, 2017), he states, “The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is powered by artificial intelligence, and it will transform the workplace from task-based characteristics to human-centred characteristics. Because of the convergence of man and machine, it will reduce the subject distance between humanities and social science as well as science and technology. This will necessarily require much more interdisciplinary teaching, research and innovation.”

The Devland Soweto Education Campus is located on a site that was home to a former industrial park, and the region is currently undergoing transformation. “Devland Soweto is a place where the innovation of 4IR is needed and a place where it will happen,” says Terhune.

Funding mechanisms

Growing Up Africa’s development model is based on designing state-of-the-art projects and infrastructure with minimal direct cash funding. The world-class design of its projects serves as an incentive for companies and corporations to become involved by contributing professional expertise, materials, transport and time. “People want to be part of a successful project that has a tangible and positive impact on the community, and we led the way. This type of development does not happen overnight. We did not wait for funding. We started with the idea,” Terhune explains.

Over the years, the Devland Soweto project has involved over 225 companies and individuals from South Africa and around the world. Critical team members include: Boogertman + Partners as architect of record, William Reue Architecture NYC as the design architect, Mark Laburn Architects, SDP, SMEC Engineering, Spoormaker & Partners, WACO International, ENSAfrica, and Tiber Construction. These companies and many more were essential to the project’s success.

The construction of the building provided jobs and training for members of the local community, and the building itself is an important node for future community development. All professionals and contractors provided their services pro bono, and most

RAPTOR MAXECO

of the building materials for the project were donated by local and international sponsors.

Terhune believes that without CSI or tax credits, this level of involvement by companies and individuals would not have happened. “The incentives are absolutely critical. This is a case study in impact investing,” she explains.

When it all comes together

The campus comprises a 2 000 m2 building and support infrastructure situated on a 7 000 m2 landscaped site. The building itself comprises a series of multipurpose teaching spaces, open-plan work areas, a lecture hall, and administrative offices anchored by a large auditorium.

The site’s outdoor spaces have been developed to accommodate tree-shaded seating, an amphitheatre, an expansive double-height porch, a guardhouse and a refuse building. Another distinctive feature is an extraordinary biophilic sculpture designed by industrial design students from UJ.

A personal vision achieved

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see Devland Soweto become a reality, and I feel it was a project that was destined to be,” says Terhune, who some 10 years ago packed up her apartment in New York City and set off on a journey to change the lives of those most in need.

“At the time, I was nearing retirement, and wanted to leverage my 30 years of real estate and development experience to make the greatest impact. By happenstance, a doorman suggested that I read The Billionaire That Wasn’t, a book about Chuck Feeney’s life of philanthropy. So, it all started with a New York City doorman, a book, and a country – South Africa,” she explains.

After 10 years of steadfast work toward a laser-focused mission, Terhune’s unique approach to humanitarian development has caught the attention of leaders in the non-profit industry. And now that the Devland Soweto Education Campus is complete, those who have come to know Deborah wonder what’s next for Growing Up Africa.

What is certain is that the world will always need a tireless champion willing to move mountains in service of worthy goals and Growing Up Africa has shown the way.

In the meantime, and thanks to Terhune’s sterling efforts, the Devland Soweto Education Campus is now operational and ready to grow with its community. Ownership of the facility has been donated to UJ, who will take the campus on the next leg of its journey.