Ten years of research and development at Ikhaya le Langa NPC is the foundation of our new Institute for Sustainable Township Enterprise Development (InSTED). This township-based resource is dedicated to promoting sustainable community development, believing that sustainable people create sustainable communities. InSTED serves as a bridge for stakeholders from various fields, partnering with locals with a shared goal of strengthening their community through sustainable township renewal. Our aim is to link 73 township communities in South Africa, creating a network of support and collaboration. InSTED encompass research and development, people development, community development, and enterprise development, all aimed at fostering a resilient and thriving community. Making communities investment-ready.

Our Target

Our target is to engage with six townships in Cape Town and seven in Johannesburg. By partnering with these communities, we aim to foster connectivity, empower residents, provide targeted support and resources, and create sustainable development opportunities. This focused approach will enable us to address the unique needs and challenges of each township, ensuring that our efforts are both impactful and meaningful. We are eager to collaborate with partners, donors, and stakeholders who share our vision and commitment to making a positive difference. Together, we can drive sustainable, grassroots change and reshape the narrative and direction of township spaces.

Our Facilities

  • Research & Development

    Research from corporates, academia, residents and government.

  • Enterprise Development

    Supporting livelihood and enterprise development through; incubation, social investment, networking and knowledge sharing.

  • Study Abroad & Volunteering

    Coordinating local volunteering and targeting international internship opportunities for domestic and US universities (HBCU’s) to provide capacity in underserved communities.

  • Community Regeneration

    Aspirational, progressive and solution driven facility -supporting innovation in fintech, AI, social media, environmental rehabilitation, regenerative farming practices and communitybased tourism.

Networking South Africa’s 73 townships

InSTED serves as a bridge, connecting 73 township communities across South Africa. By sharing educational programs, resources, ideas, and support, InSTED empowers residents to implement sustainable practices within their communities. Through partnerships, networking, and collaboration, InSTED facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources among fragile communities, fostering aspirational, peer-to-peer learning and collective action. By bridging the gap between township communities, InSTED promotes unity, resilience, and sustainability, driving positive change across South Africa.

Agri-Enterprenuership

Black City Farm and U Can Grow, partner to empower individuals and create livelihoods in local communities. Together, they equip aspiring agri-entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to thrive in the agricultural sector. Through collaborative efforts, participants receive comprehensive training in sustainable farming practices, crop management, livestock care, market analysis, and financial management. Additionally, access to land, equipment, seeds, and mentorship is provided, ensuring aspiring entrepreneurs have the support they need to start and sustain their agricultural businesses. Beneficiation of the produce that is grown ensures maximum economic value is extracted. Chili sauces and plant-based soups are products that sell well. Affordable plant-based meals in community cafés and surplus given to ECDs ensure the community’s dietary and nutritional needs are met.

Women and Youth Empowerment

Through our strategic partnerships with GIRL’S ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP EDUCATION (GALE) and WOMEN ARE POWER (WomAP), InSTED specifically supports women and girl’s empowerment development as this plays a vital role in fostering leadership and economic empowerment in fragile communities. GALE offers leadership and advocacy workshops for girls aged 14-21, helping them develop self-confidence, communication, and decision-making skills to create positive social change and ensure a smooth transition into adulthood. WOMEN ARE POWER focuses on empowering women from underserved communities through basic education, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy training. The primary goal is to achieve financial independence, with a secondary goal of accessing better job and entrepreneurship opportunities. These programs collectively promote gender equality and drive economic growth.

Community-Based Tourism

Community-based tourism (CBT) ‘people & culture’ , ‘going & doing’ is one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors globally. The ‘sharing economy’ e.g. UBER and Airbnb open opportunities for township communities to participate in tourism and in turn drive development from the ground up. Strategic relationships with tourism stakeholders; willing to partner over the long term, who give equal priority to the community as well as their visitor’s needs, can create sustainable tourism development in partnership with the broader community’s needs and aspirations.

Where we work

  • Langa, Khayelitsha, Philippi

  • Soweto, Kromdraai

  • Marikana

  • New Brighton

  • Bushbuckridge, Acornhoek, Orpen Gate