After twelve months of planning, we are here to stay! The past year has seen many firsts for EWB-SA that I am excited to share with you.
1. In December 2012 we hosted the first mini EWB-SA National Summit in Gauteng. EWB-UCT, EWB-Wits and EWB-SA committees attended and outlined a way forward for collaboration and mutual support.
2. We received official status as a Non-Profit Company in January 2013. Currently we are in the process of registering as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), which will allow for tax-exempt donations.
3. Since March, three new chapters have been established – two student chapters at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the University of Pretoria, and a professional chapter in Cape Town.
4. An “Ideas to Action” Project Implementation Workshop Series was held as an EWB-SA/EWB-Wits collaboration at Wits University.
This marks the beginning of what will be a strong focus on training and skills development in EWB-SA. Of course, the two senior student chapters, EWB-UCT and EWB-Wits are continuing to grow, counting over 300 student members to date. For us, the vision behind establishing EWB-SA has been to build bridges that connect retiring engineers with graduates, students with professionals, rural experience with urban reality and global expertise with local passion.
As engineers we have it in us to be inventors and economic drivers. EWB-SA is setting out on a new path of social innovation, sustainable development and systemic change. We are looking for collaborators who accept the challenge ahead and are prepared to share in our values. If you have Passion for innovation, engineering and development, if you can work in Collaboration with others to achieve a shared vision and if Professionalism underlines your work ethic we invite you work in Collaboration with others to achieve a shared vision and if Professionalism underlines your work ethic, we invite you to become part of our EWB-SA community. It is not about giving back, it is about creating together. Join us!
Wiebke Toussaint
National Coordinator
