About Seriti Institute

Seriti Institute is a non-profit organisation established in 2009. Our mission is to build resilient communities and empower people to create meaningful lives for themselves and their families. We work alongside communities and social partners to reduce poverty, strengthen livelihoods, and open pathways to opportunity.

We focus on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions with a positive socioeconomic impact. This includes technical support, programme management, implementation services, learning facilitation, and the promotion of community-driven change. At Seriti, we believe in people and in their ability to be drivers of progress and transformation.

At Seriti, we believe in people and their ability to drive change and progress.

Seriti is a Level 1 B-BBEE organisation governed by a reputable Board chaired by Wandile Sihlobo. The Board and its subcommittees oversee all projects and provide strategic guidance. Financial operations are monitored by the Audit Committee, with annual independent audits to ensure accountability. With more than 15 years of experience, our skilled team specialises in managing large-scale projects efficiently and effectively.

“Seriti” is a Setswana word meaning “shadow.” It carries the deeper meaning of the contribution each person makes to their community, whether positive or negative. For us, it reflects a deep respect for people’s capacity to work together, improve life in their communities, and build dignity through cooperation and shared learning.

Seriti’s programmes address multiple dimensions of social and economic resilience. The aRe Bapaleng initiative strengthens early childhood development by supporting caregivers of children aged 0 to 8 through training, mentoring, and job creation. Work.Learn.Grow focuses on food security and livelihoods by equipping smallholders and emerging farmers with skills and opportunities in sustainable farming and agribusiness. Seriti PARTNER builds the capacity of non-profit and community-based organisations, providing technical support and strengthening their ability to deliver services. The Township Enterprise Development (TED) programme promotes local economic growth by supporting township enterprises and creating viable business opportunities. GreenWorks empowers youth to take part in the green economy, combining environmental education, enterprise support, and climate-smart community projects that align with South Africa’s Just Transition. Seriti TALKS provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration across civil society, encouraging shared learning and collective action.

Through these interconnected initiatives, Seriti delivers sustainable and comprehensive solutions that help communities and social partners achieve their goals, while advancing dignity, opportunity, and resilience across South Africa.