Imveliso Foundation is a youth-focused empowerment initiative established by Solid Green with the purpose of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sustainability sector. The foundation is committed to nurturing the next generation of Black female leaders by creating pathways into sustainability-related careers and supporting their educational and professional development.

The Imveliso Foundation invites applications for its Bursary and Internship Programme, aimed at supporting and empowering young Black South African women who are passionate about sustainability and the built environment.

What the Programme Offers

Successful candidates will receive:

• Financial assistance to cover tuition for a year.
• A structured internship placement providing hands-on experience within the built environment sector
• Mentorship and professional development opportunities with industry leaders focused on sustainability

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be Black South African females under the age of 35
• Be enrolled and registered in a final year or postgraduate program within the built environment (e.g. Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Environmental Design, or related fields) at a South African University
• Demonstrate a strong interest or focus on sustainability, including:
  • Research in sustainability
  • A major or specialization in sustainability
  • Enrolment in a sustainability-focused program

What We’re Looking For

The Imveliso Foundation seeks candidates who are:

• Committed to advancing sustainable practices in the built environment
• Dedicated to creating social and environmental impact through their work
• Driven, innovative, and eager to contribute to transformation in the industry to a more sustainable future

How to Apply

Submit the following:

• A motivation letter (max 500 words) outlining your academic interests, career goals commitment to sustainability and why you should
• A current academic transcript
• A certified copy of your ID
• A curriculum vitae (CV)

Email applications to: info@imveliso-foundation.co.za cc: admin@imveliso-foundation.co.za

Deadline for applications: 30 March 2026

The post Imveliso Foundation Bursary Opportunity & Internship Programme appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Growing Food Security: No Poverty & Zero Hunger (SDG 1 & 2)

Through initiatives that blend food security, education and empowerment, the collaboration demonstrates that the SDGs are not distant ideals but living, practical solutions with tangible outcomes. Powered by the Imveliso Foundation, Solid Green initiated the revitalisation of the Food Garden at the school. In July, as part of Mandela Day, volunteers from Solid Green joined learners and staff at Kwena Molapo Secondary School to revitalise the school’s vegetable garden. Overgrown beds were cleared, compost and mulch were added, and seedlings of hardy vegetables were planted. This initiative strengthens the school’s ability to provide fresh produce for its kitchen, but also equips learners with knowledge about sustainable agriculture.

A key innovation was the introduction of a Bokashi composting station, turning food waste from the school kitchen into nutrient-rich soil. Instead of discarding organic waste, it is now being cycled back into the garden to enrich the soil and reduce reliance on external resources. In this way, the project tackles both hunger and poverty and lowers food costs while creating a resilient, circular system.

The garden is more than food security; it is a classroom without walls, showing learners how small, local solutions can build dignity, self-sufficiency, and resilience.

Unlocking Potential: Quality Education & Gender Equality (SDG 4 & 5)

The Imveliso Foundation has also placed a strong emphasis on empowering young women in education. Recognising that access to quality education is key to breaking cycles of poverty, the Foundation hosted a Careers Day for Grade 12 girls studying mathematics. Here, learners were introduced to a range of professional opportunities in sustainability, engineering and the built environment, fields where women remain underrepresented.

Beyond career exposure, the Foundation has provided support for university applications, ensuring that matric girls not only dream big but also have the practical tools to take the next steps in higher education. This direct investment in learners’ futures is critical for advancing both gender equality (SDG 5) and quality education (SDG 4), tackling systemic barriers that prevent women from entering technical and leadership roles.

By combining food security initiatives with educational empowerment, Solid Green and the Imveliso Foundation are demonstrating that the SDGs are not abstract ideals but actionable goals that can transform communities. At Kwena Molapo, the garden beds and compost bins are as important as the classroom lessons and career workshops.

By targeting these gaps, the Foundation is helping to build a pipeline of women who will shape the future of industries critical to a sustainable society. This work shows that when we invest in people by addressing hunger, education and gender inequality, we lay the foundation for a healthier, more equitable society.

Holistic Sustainability in Action

At the heart of this partnership is Solid Green’s ethos of holistic sustainability. The company’s approach extends beyond buildings and infrastructure to encompass the social fabric of communities. True sustainability is not only about energy efficiency or green certifications, it is also about addressing the interconnected realities of people, planet and prosperity.

The initiatives at Kwena Molapo exemplify this philosophy:

• Food gardens and compost bins tackle hunger and resource scarcity.
• Career workshops and mentorship dismantle systemic inequalities.
• Hands-on involvement from Solid Green employees strengthens community bonds and creates shared ownership.

Together, these efforts show that sustainability is not a siloed discipline. Sustainability is a holistic practice that integrates environmental, social and economic dimensions.

A Model for the Future

Kwena Molapo Secondary School is becoming a microcosm of what the SDGs envision: a place where hunger is met with resilience; education with opportunity; and inequality with empowerment.

The work of Solid Green and the Imveliso Foundation is a reminder that when we invest in people, we invest in society as a whole. The vegetables harvested from the garden, the compost feeding the soil, the learners gaining confidence in their futures – these are all part of a bigger story of communities rising to thrive through sustainable, equitable action.

This is what people-first sustainability looks like: actionable, impactful and transformative.

The post People First: Tackling Hunger, Education, and Gender Equality appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

 In the true spirit of Madiba’s call to action, the team rolled up their sleeves and transformed neglected beds into thriving spaces of growth, learning, and nourishment. This garden revival sets the foundation for long-term sustainability and community empowerment, through the creation of food security and a circularity.

Sowing Seeds of Change

Kwena Molapo is a well-run, vibrant school offering Grades 8 through 12, with a strong academic focus on mathematics, science, and commerce. During an earlier site visit, the Solid Green and Imveliso teams discovered the school had great potential for a thriving garden, but lacked the infrastructure and support to maintain it. The garden space, though dormant, was promising. The kitchen, which prepares nutritious vegetarian meals for learners, generates food waste that could be turned into compost. The only missing link was to help them set up a system that supports what the school is already doing.

The Mandela Day initiative tackled these challenges head-on, guided by a clear mission to promote sustainability, foster environmental awareness, and create practical learning opportunities for learners.

Getting Our Hands Dirty – and Loving It

The day’s activity saw a diverse group of 44 volunteers, including staff, friends, and local community members coming together to:

• Clear out overgrown beds and remove accumulated waste
• Improve soil quality with compost and mulch
• Plant a selection of hardy vegetables and indigenous species
• Construct a three-compartment compost bin using repurposed timber
• Set up a Bokashi composting system in the kitchen

The school was provided with a 12-month supply of Bokashi bran and Solid Green will continue to engage the school through training and assisting in integrating the Bokashi into everyday routines. The closed-loop system means the kitchen can now “feed” the garden, helping plants thrive while reinforcing the principles of waste reduction and circular thinking.

“This is not just a garden,” said Aadil Fayzoo.

It’s an open-air classroom, a source of healthy food, and a place where students can see sustainability in action.

A Foundation for the Future

This Mandela Day project marks the beginning of an ongoing partnership between the school and the Imveliso Foundation, which aims to support young women to pursue careers in sustainability, engineering, and the built environment.

A follow-up event was held on Friday, 25 July 2025, specifically targeting Grade 12 girls taking mathematics. The event introduced the girls to the different careers available for them in the built environment and sustainability.

Collective Action, Lasting Impact

A project like this wouldn’t be possible without the generous contributions of time, resources and expertise from numerous supporters. Every hand made a difference, from companies that donated compost, plants and tools, to Vusi Thusi, our carpenter who built the compost bins, to the volunteers who gave their time and energy.

We are especially grateful to Life Green Group and Earth Probiotic Recycling Solutions, and to the school’s leadership for their openness and enthusiasm.

“There’s a special kind of magic that happens when people come together to make something grow,” said Thato Mohale.

We’re proud to be planting the seeds of change in the hearts and minds of the learners.

How You Can Help

The garden has been planted, the Bokashi system is in place, but our work is far from over.

We’re still seeking:

• Indigenous plants and seedlings for seasonal replanting
• Educational signage and learning materials
• Mentors and guest speakers for Career Days
• Financial support for university application fees
• Ongoing volunteer involvement to maintain the garden

If you or your organisation would like to get involved, whether through donations, expertise or your time; please reach out to:

Marloes Reinink

Director, Solid Green Consulting / Imveliso Foundation
marloes@solidgreen.co.za | 073 806 8048

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