Students enrolled in BUSA7505: Philanthropy and Sustainable Development at Wits Business School are translating classroom knowledge into practical solutions by developing five-year strategic consultancy plans for social enterprises and non-profit organisations working at the forefront of community development.
As part of the module’s experiential learning approach, students worked collaboratively in syndicate groups as consultants, applying concepts in strategic management, philanthropy, social innovation, and sustainable development to address real-world organisational challenges.
The learning journey began with field visits to three organisations. On the first day, students engaged with representatives from the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF) and the Soul City Institute, gaining first-hand insights into each organisation’s history, mission, programmes, operational models, and strategic priorities. The following day, students visited Youth for Survival, where they explored community-driven responses to pressing social and developmental challenges.
These site visits formed the foundation of the consultancy assignment, providing students with the opportunity to observe organisational practice, interact directly with leaders and practitioners, and better understand the opportunities and complexities facing mission-driven organisations.
Following the fieldwork, each syndicate selected one organisation as the focus of its consultancy project. Working from information gathered during the visits, students conducted strategic analyses of their chosen organisation, assessing its operating environment, organisational strengths, challenges, opportunities, and future priorities using recognised strategic management tools.
Building on this analysis, each group designed an innovative five-year strategy centred on addressing two or three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their proposals combined academic theory with practical implementation, demonstrating how social innovation can strengthen organisational sustainability while increasing long-term social impact.
The consultancy reports extended beyond strategy development to include fundraising approaches, implementation plans with phased timelines and indicative budgets, communication strategies, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks incorporating measurable key performance indicators. Together, these elements challenged students to think holistically about what it takes to build resilient organisations capable of delivering lasting development outcomes.
The assignment culminates in the submission of a professional consultancy report and a formal presentation, where students present their recommendations and demonstrate how their proposed strategies can enhance the effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of their selected organisations.
Through initiatives such as BUSA7505, the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School continues to bridge academic learning and practice, equipping students with the knowledge, critical thinking, and practical skills required to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s philanthropy, social investment, and sustainable development sectors.
