Not far from Port St Johns on the Wild Coast is Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa, a seaside resort beloved by many South African families. The owners and managers strive to improve the lives of their staff and the local community, and their actions speak louder than words. more

The Recycle Swop Shop is a concept that began in Hermanus’ township, Zwelihle. One woman, dismayed by the lack of play-space and the litter that surrounded the children there, helped create the project, elegant in its simplicity. Children collect junk, receive goodies in return, and learn arithmetic alongside good values. more

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa was established in 2003 and the organisation has now certified dozens of responsible tourism destinations and activities. It guarantees that members pay good wages, recruit local staff, buy local goods, adhere to environmental stewardship principles, and generally operate on an ethical basis. more

The Eersterivier Embroidery Project near Tsitsikamma in the scenic southern Cape has turned around the lives of 70 women who had little or no income before. You’ll find their brightly decorated squares appearing on bags, placemats, quilts and pot-holders at a number of shops in the Tsitsikamma area. more

The difference a craft project has made in people's lives in northern Kwazulu-Natal is nothing short of spectacular. The crafters now have access to goods like solar panels, cell phones and school uniforms for their children. Their incomes have increased tenfold - as has their families' quality of life. more

With 2 male pottery teachers to guide them and help market their products, the all-female team at the bustling Sincede Women’s Project in Mdantsane township, East London, is beginning to shine. Their crafts are on sale at the local art centre, and the bigger retail outlets are now paying attention. more

Two hard men from opposite ends of the political and social divide in the Western Cape town of Uniondale banded together in 2003 to fight poverty in their district. Their story is one of the great social successes of the region. more

Some of the legendary wood sculptors of Venda in the Limpopo Province are passing on their skills and wisdom to a new generation of artists in a special centre of indigenous knowledge established on a wooded mountain reserve in the Soutpansberg. more

The sleepy little town of Hankey in the Eastern Cape has come alive with the arrival of the remains of its most famous resident - and a series of poverty relief projects to inspire and uplift the local community. more

'A culture of non-dependence coming through own experience, dignity and self-respect' - that's the mission of Another Way Trust, a tourism empowerment scheme on a property in the Baviaans Mountains in the Eastern Cape. Skills transferred so far include restaurant management, top-end cooking, eco-friendly lodge building and general hospitality. more

Eco-friendly rooms offer all the creature comforts holidaymakers expect, while ensuring that wherever possible facilities and amenities are responsibly sourced, naturally derived, don’t harm the environment and make judicious use of our planet’s precious resources. more

Volunteer teaching opportunities in South Africa exist across the age spectrum and extend far beyond the classroom. Education needs in historically disadvantaged communities range from pre-school tots needing developmental stimulation, and job-seekers needing to learn conversational English, to old age pensioners for whom literacy is a long-awaited gift. more

As you take in the beauty of the Tsitsikamma Forest, bear in mind that Stormsriver Adventures provides environmental education and food for local schools, helps develop and market crafts and supports animal welfare education, as well as home-based health care groups. more

Masiphumelele, a pint-sized township with fewer than 30 000 souls, is the perfect example of how travelers can help uplift a community. Visitors have helped provide housing, a clinic, a bicycle repair shop. As you walk through the streets, friendship is only a smile away. more