Wandile Mthiyane
Renewable Energy & Sustainability
Nominee's Province:
Kwazulu-natal
Age:
32
Project Name/Description:
Wandile Mthiyane is on his way to Harvard University, but before he leaves, he first completed a 1 600km walk from Durban, through the Eastern Cape, and ending in Cape Town. The endeavour was to foster awareness about housing dignity, raise funding for his upcoming study trip, and spread the word about Ubuntu Home, his technology platform, which helps ordinary citizens navigate the overwhelming process of designing, financing and building their own home. The nearly 60-day journey saw the KwaMashu architect walk through and take shelter in townships, premium suburbs and backrooms and meet ordinary South Africans, who he says were all generous in both spirit and resources. “I have shared meals with strangers, slept in backyard rooms, and sat with mayors, teachers, pensioners and unemployed youth. What I discovered along the road didn’t match our national script of perpetual division. The South Africa on the ground is kinder, more resourceful and far more connected than the one designed to keep us outraged,” he said. “As I look toward the work ahead at Harvard and the scaling of Ubuntu Home, I know the real journey is only beginning.”
