Uthando (Love) South Africa is rewriting how social entrepreneurship functions in township communities by linking tourism with urgent social needs in Khayelitsha. With a Fair Trade in Tourism certification, the organisation transforms visitor excursions into platforms for supporting food security, education and youth development through community-led social ventures.
By Naledi Sikhakhane – Daily Maverick
The trips are not passive observations but workshops in empathy and economic inclusion. Tourists engage directly with local social enterprises—school projects, community gardens, arts centres—contributing to sustainable income streams, capacity building and community cohesion.
Crucially, Uthando’s model ensures that the benefits stay local and that “visiting” becomes a form of giving back. The organisation emphasises accountability, training and ongoing support so that communities are empowered, not dependent.
This case illustrates how social entrepreneurship can be more than a buzzword. By weaving together tourism and community development, Uthando demonstrates that innovation, empathy and enterprise can create meaningful change—especially in places many often ignore.
