Sawip
Loan in Pretoria

The South Africa-Washington International Program is helping to inspire, prepare and support South African youth to lead a sustainable democracy with a peaceful and prosperous future for all its citizens.

After two years of initial research and piloting the program in South Africa, five interns were selected from the University of Cape Town in Extension to Gauteng universities began in 2013 with the University of Pretoria. The team in 2016 included 20 students from the four universities. The South Africa-Washington International Program is helping to inspire, prepare and support South African youth to lead a sustainable democracy with a peaceful and prosperous future for all its citizens. The Friends of SAWIP are a community of supporters in both South Africa and the USA who aid the organization in a variety of ways. These respected and influential individuals play an advisory role, mentor alumni and contribute to the organization by opening new networks and opportunities for students and alumni. The Alumni of SAWIP remain committed to the organisation and engaged in our activities. Alumni frequently make contributions to the organisation, giving of their skills, time and resources to ensure that we remain successful in supporting the development of South Africa’s emerging leaders. This award, initiated in 2012 and presented annually by SAWIP, is to recognise and appreciate those South Africans who have had distinguished careers of ethical service and leadership dedicated to the achievement of social and economic justice and the deepening of democracy. This award is presented to members of the US House of Representatives and Senate who foster bipartisan cooperation to promote economic development, educational, opportunities, human rights, improved health care and good governance throughout Africa. SAWIP holds a VISION of a South Africa with quality, servant leaders and active citizens who, with humility and integrity, are dedicated to achieving social and economic justice; strength and unity in diversity and the deepening of democracy. SAWIP’s MISSION is to inspire, develop and support diverse new generations of emerging South African leaders to be active in bringing about social and economic transformation and justice within a sustainable democracy. Young South Africans are key to determining a positive future for the Republic of South Africa\. Experiential learning and wide exposure within and by diverse groups is vital to collective impact and nation formation\. Global exposure engenders fresh perspectives and generates new ideas and solutions for challenges. The Chair of the SAWIP(SA) Board resigns from the Board in order to become the Executive Director (voluntary) in South Africa. SAWIP(SA) is registered as a Section 21 non-profit company and awarded Tax Exemption status by the SA Revenue Services, and creates a Board of Directors.