South Africa

Ubuntu, a philosophy rooted in South Africa, teaches us that “I am because we are.” This profound wisdom resonates with the phrase: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Yet, in today’s fast-paced urban world, these truths are often overlooked. In urban areas, children grow up surrounded by “green spaces” that serve more as decoration than as true connections to nature. Meanwhile, rural communities face the heartbreak of losing their youth to urbanization, battling narratives that sideline them. These villages—home to nearly half the world’s population—lack access to equality, connectivity, water, sanitation, education, and affordable energy. Reflections from South Africa Night During #SouthAfricaNight at Davos 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa honored Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy. Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Yet, even when the impossible is achieved, many fail to recognize the new realities it brings. Reflecting on these words, Cintia Jaime shared: “Over the past 12 years, we’ve embraced what once seemed impossible, rowing against the current. Today, I can confidently say we’re nearing the end of this transition. What was once deemed impossible is now within reach.” ES VICIS and South Africa: A Shared Vision  Thanks to the unwavering support of our country partners—ReimagineSA, #SwissEmbassySA, and #HouseofTraditionalLeaders—ES VICIS is piloting a transformative project in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. This partnership exemplifies how collaborative efforts can create pathways to equitable development.  Empowering Rural Communities: The Path Forward  For ES VICIS, the path to change lies in working collaboratively across sectors. Our advocacy strategy extends beyond fieldwork; we actively contribute to global discussions, launch media campaigns, and foster dialogue among businesses, academia, public agencies, and NGOs. This approach amplifies our mission to inspire transformative public policies that create equitable opportunities for all communities. Ubuntu: A Global Call to Action  “Ubuntu teaches us that our humanity is interconnected. Together, we can redefine what’s possible for rural communities—not only in South Africa but worldwide,” said Cintia Jaime. Join the Movement We’re committed to working collaboratively to create lasting impact. There are countless ways you can join us in making a difference. Together, let’s turn possibilities into realities and ensure no community is left behind.

In 2024, the ES VICIS Foundation took significant steps to introduce the “Welcome to My Village” program to South Africa, focusing on partnerships and collaboration with key stakeholders. This journey culminated in a historic pledge of commitment, marking a milestone in revitalizing rural communities in the Eastern Cape. On August 23, 2024, a signing ceremony was held in partnership with Reimagine SA, with key figures from the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa, and other partners endorsing the pledge.   On 23, August, 2024, ES VICIS Foundation, in partnership with Reimagine SA, hosted a momentous signing ceremony for the “Welcome to My Village” pledge. The pledge was endorsed by four parties: Chief Mpumalanga Gwadiso, Chairperson, Representing the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders. H.E. Ambassador Mirko Manzoni, Representing the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa. Johannes Matyassy, Board President, Representing ES VICIS Foundation. Thando S. Gobe, Chairman, Representing Reimagine SA.  The pledge represents a unified commitment to the “Welcome to My Village” program, facilitated through Reimagine SA’s Letsema Process. Together, we aim to: Create thriving rural communities in the Eastern Cape by promoting sustainable migration from urban to rural areas. Address critical issues like depopulation and economic decline by leveraging technology, fostering entrepreneurship, and enhancing local infrastructure. Support newcomers with housing, employment opportunities, and cultural integration to ensure a seamless transition into village life. Johannes Matyassy, President of the Board of ES VICIS Foundation, reflected on the program’s evolution: “In 2014, as the Swiss Ambassador to Argentina, I supported this groundbreaking model that challenges global trends. We achieved remarkable results in Argentina, a country with 92% of its population in urban areas. After successfully expanding the model there, we are now ready to bring our mission to South Africa.” The “Welcome to My Village” initiative is grounded in years of experience and a proven track record of revitalizing rural communities. Cintia Jaime, Co-Founder of ES VICIS Foundation, expressed her excitement about this next chapter: “We have shown that it is possible to repopulate and revitalize villages facing depopulation, defying global trends. Today, we are thrilled to sign this pledge to implement the program in Eastern Cape, South Africa—a region heavily impacted by urban migration. With Reimagine SA, the support of the Swiss Embassy in South Africa, and the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, we invite you to join us in this impactful journey!” Reimagine SA has been instrumental in forging partnerships and aligning efforts to bring the “Welcome to My Village” model to South Africa. Luvuyo Madasa, Executive Director of Reimagine SA, highlighted the potential of this collaboration: “We are thrilled about the opportunity to bring the ‘Welcome to My Village’ model and our partnership with ES VICIS Foundation to South Africa. Our work in the Northwest has helped us build a strong relationship with the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders. This model offers an exciting opportunity to align existing programs and partners in a structured way, ensuring meaningful impact for communities that need it most.” Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Founder of Reimagine SA, celebrated the generational effort driving this initiative: “Thank you for bringing this wonderful opportunity and for figuring out the alignments and partnerships. I hand over to you and your generation. Thank you.”