About

The EXPEDITION Project connects inspiring, sustainable projects and individuals with each other and with the resources they need, and it shares their stories with the world.

We have been DRIVING CHANGE since 2012. We have travelled 36535km (22701miles), visited 353 towns & 155 projects, with the help of 405 hospitality partners, to meet and understand the challenges communities face. We then connect projects, communities, ideas and individuals with each other, share their successes and help take them one step further with contacts, expertise and funding.

Our Vision

The EXPEDITION Project works with organisations, NPOs, charities, social enterprises and small businesses to create a reliable network across South Africa for all to use as a ‘how, what, where, who’ resource. Our vision is to contribute meaningfully to sustainable rural communities, food security and an improved quality of life for all South Africans.

Our firsthand experience of working with underprivileged communities has done away with any illusions we may have started out with. And yet, we have emerged more hopeful for the future. Where obstacles stand in the way of meaningful change, we see opportunities for creativity and growth. Where resources are scant, we see potential to use what is right here at hand.

Our History

After eight months of research in 2011, the first expedition was set for 1 January 2012. This 250 day trip laid the foundations for some of the primary towns and projects we would connect with each year.

In 2012, we had the privilege of meeting a number of inspiring people and projects like Nourish, Nature’s Valley Trust, Zululand Conservation Trust, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, the Amakhala Foundation, and the Mogalakwena Group, which have become our core projects.

These project visits were made possible by the sponsorship of hundreds of hospitality partners all over South Africa and the overwhelming support of towns and communities from Ladismith to Bray, Hermanus to Kosi Bay, St Francis Bay to Augrabies. This collaboration of people, places and projects is what The EXPEDITION Project is built on.

It is clear that South Africa is a land full of cultural and scenic diversity, but what became more apparent during our 2012 expedition is that the country is unique and comprises a dynamic not seen anywhere else in the world. We saw enough that year to realise that every region should be treated as unique.

In 2013, we ventured further, scoping out more towns and projects in previously unchartered territory. We ran a conservation research project for CapeNature. and re-connected with projects and towns from 2012. In 2014, South Africa celebrated its 20th year of democracy and held its fifth National Assembly election – we asked for help to capture this and more. From 2015, we revisited some of our projects and towns and began to plot out our primary support areas and routes.

Our Goals

Combat Unemployment & Urbanisation

Our research in 2012 revealed that urbanisation is a focus area for the youth and unemployed. We encourage sustainable development in smaller towns by supporting business ideas that benefit the communities directly.

Replicate Successes

We aim to develop templates that can replicate successes throughout our network. By creating communication channels between towns, entrepreneurs and projects, we enable them to collaborate and share best practices.

Encourage Sustainable Charity

For charities to be sustainable, they need to move beyond relying on sponsorships and donations to developing revenue streams. The ideas are theirs – The EXPEDITION Project helps them to make the right connections.

Boost Destination Marketing for South Africa

In everything we do, we aim to showcase what SA has to offer. Naturally, this includes spreading the success stories of the smaller, lesser known areas.