Executive Director at Uthango Social Investments
South Africa
- Current
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- Director at Uthango Social Investments
- Past
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- Regional Manager at Febdev Greater Cape
- Senior Lecturer at Boland College of Education
- Recommended
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1 person has recommended Dorette - Connections
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91
connections
- Industry
- Non-Profit Organization Management
- Websites
Dorette Steenkamp’s Summary
I am inspired by best-practice development in communities.
I thrive on challenge to find and create relevant technologies for the 'bottom of the pyramid'. Building assets for sustainable micro-economic and social development excites me and we seek new investment opportunities where others hesitate to go.
In essence, I would like to think of myself as a social engineer - finding problems and solutions equally fascinating. Crossing the digital divide through practical information technology remains one of my passions...In this, I am quickly discovering the value of mobile technology and virtual realities as a platform for collaboration with the best minds and tapping into African ingenuity! We opened the international Uthango office in May 2007 in SECOND LIFE (R) and drive the Virtual Africa project here to explore opportunities for innovation, advocacy and investment. In doing so, we have become the first African-based company and non-profit organisation with a formal virtual worlds' strategy and presence in Second Life.
As Co-Director of a forward-thinking social investment company in South Africa, we also study community dynamics and find sustainable programme that could make a lasting impact. We connect the corporate and academic sector with specific communities and create synergies on mutual concerns related to health, safety, infrastructure and human resources. We conceptualized and implemented an award-winning project in micro-enterprise local economic development, currently reviewed by the City of Cape Town for possible replication.
Current projects include community-based research on micro-enterprises and using mobile technology to enhance democracy. We are also busy with a massive project on establishing business centres in marginalised communities.
I love my work.
Dorette Steenkamp’s Specialties:
Project Management and Monitoring; Fund Management; Social Investment; Concept Development and Problem-Solving
Additional Information
Dorette Steenkamp’s Websites:
Dorette Steenkamp’s Honors:
Rotary International Centennial Award for Service above Self
