Who We Are
Umsizi Sustainable Social Solutions (Umsizi) specialises in designing customised solutions and implementing effective programmes to promote sustainable socio-economic development. Our mission is to enable organisations, individuals, and communities to achieve broad-based development through measurable social and economic solutions. Working closely with partners, stakeholders, and communities, particularly in the corporate, mining, and industrial sectors, we offer a diverse range of services which enable clients to meet legislative and compliance requirements. These include Social and Labour Plans (SLPs), Socio-Economic Development (SED) programmes, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the social imperatives of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and sustainability reporting.
Through an approach of multifaceted collaboration, Umsizi has developed an extensive portfolio of socio-economic development implementation solutions which have empowered tens of thousands of households in communities across South Africa, providing scalable and diverse local economic development opportunities that activate sustainable development activities.
Umsizi’s expertise extends to providing strategic advice and planning, enabling our corporate clients to seamlessly integrate the social and community imperative into their business strategies and achieve social compliance. We take immense pride in being a level 1 BBBEE contributor, reflecting our unwavering commitment to promoting economic empowerment and advancing social transformation.
What makes our solutions work:
Our Story
The name Umsizi, derived from the Zulu word ‘helper’, embodies the vision that founders John-Mark and his wife Louise Kilian had for our organisation. A vision to meaningfully empower communities through real development, driving positive change, and fostering sustainable socio-economic well-being.
John-Mark started off as an ambitious, impassioned, and dedicated social scientist who studied Social Development and Environmental Management. He quickly gained valuable experience working on socio-economic development projects within the mining industry in South Africa, and as far away as Mali and Sierra Leone.
John-Mark is a policy influencer who helped compile the very first Social and Labour Plan in South Africa, and in 2002, worked with the then Department of Mineral and Energy in providing practical knowledge and case studies which influenced the regulations and guidelines for the SLP. This passion, knowledge, and the determination to be a ‘helper’, are exemplified in Umsizi by an equally passionate and dedicated team of experts in their fields.
With almost two decades of experience, Umsizi has established itself as a trusted provider of sustainable socio-economic development, reporting, and compliance solutions, which consistently deliver real impactful outcomes that demonstrate our dedication to partners and communities.
Our team works with government, industry stakeholders, leaders, and communities to pioneer development programmes which have successfully and meaningfully empowered those living in poverty and inequality on a broad-based scale.
Looking ahead, Umsizi is committed to using our tried and tested methodology to bring social and economic change and impact on a global scale. Through collaboration with partners in South Africa, and worldwide, we can address socio-economic challenges on a larger scale, with a focus on implementing sustainable development practices, promoting social and economic participatory development, and empowering marginalised communities to drive systemic change that improves the lives of communities globally. “The LORD has anointed me, to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty, they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1 & 4)
Map of Umsizi's Footprint
Our Current and Past Clients
