Empowering communities with sustainable solutions for food security. Our initiatives address hunger and promote self-sufficiency, ensuring access to nutritious food for all.
Making a difference for the environment and communities through water conservation efforts. Our initiatives focus on preserving this precious resource and ensuring access for future generations.
Unlocking financial knowledge for lasting empowerment. Our programmes provide essential financial skills and resources, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.
Make a Lasting Impact
Ready to drive positive change? Book a consultation today and explore how Avo Vision can help your business create shared value, address national challenges, and contribute to sustainable development.
Explore the Top Three Projects and Their Remarkable Achievements, Reflecting Our Commitment to Positive Change.
Community Education Initiatives Over 14 years, more than 500 000 individuals have received financial literacy, life skills, and entrepreneurship training, collaborating with organisations to tackle key challenges through sustainable, scalable educational solutions.
Environmental Conservation & Water Conservation Avo Vision cleared 124,37 hectares of Alien & Invasive plants, saving 240,66 million liters of water and reintroducing ecosystem health. The initiative created 132 rural jobs and 16 newly established businesses.
Promoting Small Business Growth & Entrepreneurship Avo Vision has provided business skills and entrepreneurial tools to over 5 600 entrepreneurs, focusing on supporting Small, Medium, and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs) to create jobs and support livelihoods in South Africa.
New trainers from across Western Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga recently gathered in Bedfordview to undergo Avo Vision's intensive one-week Train The Trainer (T3) programme. The programme focused on Consumer Financial Education programmes: Money fo'Sho! and our Money Module programmes, which cover essential financial literacy topics.
Given Ngwamba, who struggled to find employment despite holding a Diploma in Sound Engineering from the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa. Turning to innovation, he developed environmentally friendly methods to produce charcoal and briquettes from agricultural waste, including groundnuts, sugarcane, macadamia shells, and mango leaves.
Thembekile Mathibela, known as Thembi, won a R1500 Game shopping voucher at the recent Mafube Trade Exhibition Day. Her name means 'Mafube,' or 'the dawning of a new day' in Sesotho. She is one of 20 participants in the Livelihood Restoration Entrepreneurship Development programme by Avo Vision, partnering with Mafube Coal Mine to provide entrepreneurial skills to resettled beneficiaries of Hlalamnandi and Sikhululiwe Village.
Initially operating with just 1 kiln and 7 employees paid from her own funds, SEF's support transformed Siyonwabele's business. The programme provided stipends for 15 additional employees, allowing her to reinvest savings into crucial equipment: 3 metal chambers (kilns) costing about R8000 each, a chainsaw and PPE for her workforce.
South Africa's National Treasury has proposed a significant change to the retirement savings landscape with the introduction of the "two-pot" policy. This reform aims to balance long-term savings with limited pre-retirement access to funds, potentially reshaping how South Africans approach retirement planning. The implementation of this system comes at a time when the South African economy is experiencing significant tightness, adding both urgency and complexity to the reform.
The National Consumer Financial Education Committee (NCFEC) launched Money Smart Week South Africa (MSWSA) in 2018. Over the past six years, MSWSA has reached millions of South Africans through mainstream media, community radio, exhibitions, television, social media, and face-to-face workshops.
In August 2024, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), in partnership with Avo Vision, provided herbicide to 14 green businesses in Matatiele. These businesses play a crucial role in clearing invasive alien plants, which consume significant amounts of water and pose a threat to local biodiversity.
In line with the 2017/18 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's report, entrepreneurial activity in South Africa has surged to its highest level since 2013. As economic challenges persist, one in three South Africans is turning to side hustles to supplement income and meet financial needs.
From September 2023 to June 2024, Avo Vision in Partnership with IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) embarked on an ambitious journey with the Social Employment Fund 2 (SEF 2) programme, aiming to tackle unemployment and boost small business sustainability across seven South African provinces. As we reflect on the project's achievements, the impact is clear: lives were transformed, businesses flourished, and communities were strengthened.
The Challenge of School Placements in Gauteng The Gauteng government has introduced an online application process for Grade 1 and 8 students. In the past, over 30,000 Gauteng learners faced delays in securing placements for Grade 1 and 8 in the 2018 academic year, causing concerns for parents as it is a barrier to access […]
Installations have already started in Soweto, Vaal, and West Rand, where 45 MSMEs are being supported with alternative energy solutions. This initiative will ensure business continuity, growth, expansion, increased turnover, and job retention. Avo Vision is proud to be a partner in this transformative project, equipping small businesses with alternative tools, business acumen training, and coaching to enhance their operations.
Phineas opened a second branch of his daycare in Cosmo City and attributes this achievement to Avo-SEF support. “It wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the Avo-SEF programme. I saw this as an opportunity to realise my dream, which was to open another branch and I finally did it,” Phineas explains.
Discover how Avo Vision and Absa are transforming lives through financial education workshops. Learn how students and small business owners are gaining essential money management skills for financial freedom.
Avo Vision collaborates with Project Biome to foster deeper environmental connectivity, employing 86 individuals in Mpumalanga and clearing alien species to restore water resources.
Learn how TNK Greenhouse Technology turns agricultural waste into sustainable charcoal briquettes and biochar, benefiting both the environment and the local economy through the Avo Vision SEF programme.
Kopano Mpya: From Unemployment to Sustainable Entrepreneurship In 2024, South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis reached a staggering 45.5% among individuals aged 15-34. For many young South Africans, finding stable employment seemed like an unattainable dream. One such individual was Kopano Mpya, a 29-year-old graduate from Ga-Kibi in Bochum, Limpopo. Despite his qualifications in Public Management, […]
By Nthabiseng Mhlanga, UJ Social Impact Assessment Master’s Candidate April 19, 2024 Edward Snowden once remarked, “Every person remembers some moment in their life where they witnessed some injustice, big or small, and looked away because the consequences of intervening seemed too intimidating. But there's a limit to the amount of incivility and inequality and […]
Are you passionate about making a difference? We are seeking skilled individuals to join our dynamic team as training partners. The Ideal Candidate: Has a deep passion for community development Naturally empowers and uplifts others Is self-motivated and resourceful Thinks independently and creatively At Avo, we believe in the power of education and community empowerment. […]
One of the major hurdles to improving financial literacy in South Africa is the limited access to financial education. Many schools do not offer comprehensive financial education, and when they do, it often falls short.
Tsathago Wildlife Services, a green business founded by Jacky Baloyi in Northwest, has employed 39 previously unemployed individuals through the SEF programme for bush thinning and environmental restoration.
South Africa faces a great challenge and obstacle in unemployment. Every quarter we hold on to our seats in anticipation of the unemployment statistics. What has become clear is that a shift for many of South Africa’s youth from looking for a job to creating one is necessary.
Good ideas and good partnerships develop and grow over time. They create special magic between people and visionary ideas, which, in the end, are greater than anything that we could have done on our own.
While many interpretations of this quote exist, one that is particularly pertinent is that while money may come into one's hands, those who do not understand how to control it will never grow rich.
It is frightening to note that only 49% of South Africans are deemed financially literate, and only 5% of South Africans will be able to retire comfortably. This is according to a recent article published by PocketFin.
Avo Vision plays a vital role in contributing towards the 2030 gender equality sustainability goals; over the years, women dominated all the training by just above 60 percent.
According to the South African Reserve Bank, a startling statistic reveals that over 75% of South Africans are spending most of their take-home pay on debt.
As of December 31, 2022, Avo Vision had ignited transformation across all nine provinces of South Africa, executing fifteen projects and up-skilling a remarkable 42,999 individuals.
70% of South Africans are spending all their income. Enabled by our financial education funding partners, Avo Vision has trained approximately half a million people in financial education.
The lack of job prospects and infrastructure challenges specifically in rural regions further worsen when it comes to 44% of women were affected directly and men at 41%.
Still uncertain about your needs or the value we can bring? Let us show you how Avo Vision can transform your business. Book a consultation with our expert consultants and discover the possibilities.
Discover quick and easy solutions to common queries and gain clarity on our services.
What is Avo Vision’s approach to Socio-Economic Development?
Avo Vision is deeply committed to tackling South Africa's pressing challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment head-on and partnering with other organisations who have heeded the call. We firmly believe in the life-changing potential of education, having witnessed firsthand the profound impact that access to knowledge can create within communities, workplaces and families.
Furthermore, we recognise that targeted efforts in entrepreneurship can play a pivotal role in addressing issues of inequality and unemployment, driving intentional and sustainable change.
How does Avo Vision measure the effectiveness of Socio-Economic Development initiatives?
Our Monitoring and Evaluation department serves as the vigilant guardian of each project's progress, employing a range of evaluation activities rooted in the theory of change principles. Furthermore, our dedicated team meticulously prepares routine project reports, offering insights into achievements, challenges, and valuable lessons learned along the way.
How does Avo Vision collaborate with local communities and organisations?
Our groundbreaking bottom-of-the-pyramid delivery model has established us as a leading force in South Africa, dedicated to nurturing sustainable small training businesses nationwide.
We harness the expertise of local trainers and partners, actively sourcing, training, and empowering resourceful, self-driven individuals to become self-employed micro-enterprise training companies, delivering peer-based education within their communities.
Through comprehensive mentorship and unwavering support, along with intensive training in Life Skills content and effective delivery methods, we equip trainers with the entrepreneurial skills required to manage their small businesses. Collaborating with community stakeholders, including churches, leaders, and local government entities, Avo Vision effectively executes initiatives that drive meaningful impact and transformative change.
How does Avo Vision ensure Socio-Economic Development projects align with your values & objectives?
Ensuring that our Socio-Economic Development projects are in harmony with your values and objectives is a top priority at Avo Vision.
We kick-start a collaborative conversation with your team to truly grasp your core values, mission, and specific goals. This crucial understanding serves as the compass for designing and executing projects that resonate with your organisational spirit.
Throughout the project journey, we uphold transparent communication, frequently engaging with your team to guarantee our efforts remain closely knit with your vision. This collaborative approach maximises the positive impact we collectively bring to fruition.
What's the process of selecting specific communities/areas for Socio-Economic Development projects?
Avo Vision collaborates closely with our clients to determine strategic areas of focus and priorities for their workplace, community empowerment, and enterprise development initiatives. In situations where a specific geographical focus isn't defined, we extend our efforts to communities that stand to gain the most, such as rural and peri-urban areas.
Moreover, we extend our Socio-Economic Development initiatives to areas surrounding our clients' operations, aiming to uplift neighbouring communities and businesses in their ecosystem.
“We believe that Avocado Vision has the necessary qualification and experience to assist you in your endeavours. Their Staff is responsive, their processes are clear and transparent, and their communication and reporting keep us informed on progress. Most important they understand the kind of support and development needs small business owners have and how to address them”
“We believe that Avocado Vision has the necessary qualification and experience to assist you in your endeavours. Their Staff is responsive, their processes are clear and transparent, and their communication and reporting keep us informed on progress. Most important they understand the kind of support and development needs small business owners have and how to address them”
Rirhandzu Sithole
Development Impact Coordinator
Trust for Urban Housing Finance (TUHF)
"We found Avocado Vision very capable of delivering our programme on a national level, assisting with their expertise in areas where required and considering the recommendations from our independent Monitoring and Evaluation partner for 2019. Part of our requirements in partnering with a service provider is that they conduct themselves in accordance with our values at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Ltd which Avocado Vision displayed throughout."
Claire Klaasen
Consumer Finance Education Portfolio Head
Momentum Metropolitan
"Environmental and Rural Solutions (ERS) in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, has been collaborating with Avocado Vision for over five years in developing the Green Business value chain in the upper catchment areas of the Umzinvubu River. This partnership which is still growing is helping us reach more people and conserve more resources. The message of building the resilience of our landscapes and ecosystem services is getting wider adoption mainly because of partnerships such as we have with Avocado Vision. As ERS we fully support the effort and resourcing of Avocado Vision so that they are enabled to grow their work and ours as partners."
Sissie Matela
Director
Environmental and Rural Solutions (ERS)
“We would rate Avocado Vision’s service at 90%. Their programmes are well designed, their systems work well, their operational team is strong, their facilitators are engaging and Avo knows their target market and what their development needs are.”
Wendy Bergsteedt
Group Head of marketing at Coronation Fund Manager
Coronation Fund Manager
“The small business development programme run by Avocado Vision has had and is continuing to have a powerful and enabling influence on these 15 Small Medium and Micro enterprises that have gone through the programme. We recommend Avocado Vision without reservation as a business development programme implementer who has performed beyond expectation and would rate their performance at 92%.”
Dr Christo Marais
Chief Director, Natural Resource Manager
DFFE
"We approached Avocado Vision during the course of March 2021 in order for them to assist us with a Consumer Education Initiative. We needed them to complete the proposed project with extremely tight deadlines in order for these initiatives to fall within our financial year for B-BBEE purposes. We had found the team at Avocado Vision to be knowledgable, passionate, detail-oriented, and deadline driven. They managed to complete our project within the deadline and kept us up-to-date throughout the project. The ability of the team to deliver on a big project, within three months, and during the COVID-19 pandemic has immensely impressed us. We will continue to partner with Avocado Vision and will recommend them to any third party that may require the services offered by Avocado Vision."
Quinton Ferreira
Industrial Relations (IR) Manager
Clientele
“We asked Avo to help us equip ECD principles and staff with the kind of business insights, tools, and financial acumen to be able to identify and leverage opportunities for real and measurable business growth and long-term sustainability. I would recommend any organisation to make use of Avocado Vision as a provider.”
