Southern African IDEAS (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies) is a consulting service providing advice and support in economic, enterprise and employment promotion. Our aim is to help our clients design and implement practical policies and strategies that enhance the economic, enterprise and employment opportunities of their defined target group.

Familiar with the problems and opportunities that arise in communities, towns and cities, SAIDEAS is competent working with policy and development at local, national and international levels. SAIDEAS works in close partnership with clients from the public, private and community sectors, pursuing creative and innovative approaches, and emphasising the value of learning from the experiences of others. With its roots in Southern Africa, SAIDEAS benefits from an expansive range of international networks and contacts.

Originally established in Namibia in 1993, SAIDEAS is now located in South Africa. SAIDEAS maintains its links in Namibia as well as with the Australian-based IDEAS Group (established in 1990) incorporating the Centre for Small Town Development (established in 1997).

Southern African IDEAS (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies) is incorporated in South Africa as a Close Corporation (Registration Number: 2001-003952-23). Its Members are Sisonke Msimang and Simon White.

Principles of Practice

In all its endeavours Southern African IDEAS applies the following operating principles:

• Providing high-quality specialised services specifically tailored to the needs, priorities and resources of the client.
• Offering services and processes that build the capability of client organisations. 
• Promoting participatory processes where all women and men are recognised as important stakeholders and provided with the tools and opportunities to engage in development efforts. 
• Enhancing the visions and skills of individuals, groups and communities whilst promoting practical approaches to cooperation and development. 
• Acting as an agent of change within organizations or communities, so that consulting outcomes are institutionalised and sustained. 
• Facilitating development based on learning from the experiences and lessons of others through the exchange of ideas, strategies, resources and contacts. 
• Promoting an enterprising response to change and development where attitudes, skills, processes and organizations are enhanced In all its work, Southern African IDEAS emphasises implementation, ensuring that assignments do not become abstract studies that languish on the shelf, but projects that include specific recommendations and practical steps for action.