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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3 people have recommended Dorette - Connections
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131
connections
- Industry
- Non-Profit Organization Management
- Websites
Dorette Steenkamp’s Summary
I am energized by innovation in pro-poor community development. I really thrive on challenges to find and create relevant technologies and enterprises for the 'base of the pyramid'.
Building community-based assets for sustainable socio-economic development makes sense and Uthango often seeks 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 with practical information technology remains one of my passions. In this, mobile technology and virtual worlds serve as platforms for collaboration with the best minds and tapping into African ingenuity!
We launched 'Virtual Africa' in 2008 in Second Life (R) 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. Uthango, our company, has been recognized widely for its roll in bringing African content to virtual worlds and exploring its potential for real world gain. As Co-Director of a forward-thinking social investment company in South Africa, we also study community dynamics to realize sustainable programmes that 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, recognised by MIT, Harvard University and Stellenbosch Business School.
Current projects include community-based research on micro-enterprises and using mobile technology to enhance democracy. We are now busy with a project to establish opportunity centres in marginalised communities.
I absolutely positively love my work.
Dorette Steenkamp’s Specialties:
Project Management and Monitoring; Fund Management; Social Investment; Concept Development, Innovative Problem-Solving and New Media/Virtual Worlds Consultation for African companies and organisations
Additional Information
Dorette Steenkamp’s Websites:
Dorette Steenkamp’s Honors:
Rotary International Centennial Award for Service above Self
MIT (selected) Case Study for Sustainable Community Development (2008)
Harvard University - JF Kennedy School of Government Innovations Award
Impumelelo Innovation Awards Trust for Sustainable Development in Africa (2006)
