Indwe Trust is a nonprofit company using a “natural model” of rural development which benefits people and the places where they live. Founded in 2012 and domiciled in Cape Town, Indwe Trust promotes a rural restoration economy that creates reliable prosperity, environmental well being and resilience.

Indwe Trust’s mission is to innovate and invest to liberate the potential of rural communities across the Eastern Cape to survive, thrive and become resilient. Indwe Trust derives its name from Indwe, “Blue Crane,” the iconic and endemic South African national bird: a great symbol of our global biodiversity.

Indwe is more than just a bird. It is a symbol of cultural resilience. AmaXhosa people of South Africa revere Indwe. Their royalties wear feathers from its tail as a symbol of greatness. They also use the feathers to decorate distinguished leaders, dignitaries and warriors of honourable stature, “Izithwalandwe”. One most notable isithwalande is former President Nelson Mandela. The relevance of Indwe is such that during past wars, AmaXhosa warriors were only allowed to wear its feathers into the battle.

To us, therefore, working on the ground to facilitate reliable prosperity of local people, and the restoration and protection of the ecosystem upon which the survival of Indwe depends is not only an opportunity – it is an obligation.