IMAGINE TSIBA

In the previous GlobalGiving project report for TSIBA (submitted in February of 2025) we announced the launch of the IMAGINE TSIBA campaign, and the motivation for this bold new initiative. Underlying the announcement, and as TSIBA entered its twenty first year since inception, was a commitment to continue to realise profound impact to the lives of young people in the way in which TSIBA chooses to do so,  and more importantly to reflect on, to imagine how our impact might scale, and how this might  be achieved in a sustainable way. Pursuant, a collaborative process of conversation with key stakeholders, including the TSIBA Board,  Executive, Staff, Student Representatives and selected external partners has realised the following core strategic goals to be accomplished if we are to bring about what we imagine. The core strategic goals are:

• To achieve an optimal business model that will enable financial sustainability
• To significantly increase non-donor revenue from transformative educational offerings as a proportion of total revenue
• To position TSIBA as a Higher Education Institution of choice and to offer exceptional value for money to donors and students
• To provide high quality, relevant and future-fit education which ensures student success and graduate employability and economic citizenship
• To grow the TSIBA endowment such the interest revenue can contribute to financial sustainability and capital projects
• To  ensure optimal Digital and Physical Infrastructure, thereby creating an environment where students and staff thrive
• To develop robust institutional governance and academic administration systems for compliance and excellence to all stakeholders
• To achieve an optimal organizational structure that ensures institutional efficiency and effectiveness. 

Following consensus and a commitment to reimagining TSIBA through these broad goals, the Board believed it necessary that leadership stability be put into place to ensure continuity across the envisaged timeline to realise the above against the specific measures and metrics put into place. Towards this, the employment contracts of the Chief Executive Officer, Gia Whitehead (current CEO and Co-Founder), Academic Dean (current Academic Dean) and Chief Operations Officer (current CEO of TSIBA Ignition Academy) were extended for a five year period. The contract extensions provide leadership stability as TSIBA navigates through the opportunities and challenges presented to IMAGINE TSIBA over the coming years.

To operational matters since the early 2025 report, and through the first semester of this year, a number important milestones have been accomplished at date of this publication. Most notably, these include:

• The TSIBA ‘Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony held in early April of the year. Graduation remains the highlight of every year as it marks a key  moment the entire TSIBA community works towards collectively. At this moment, our students officially become qualified business degree graduates who will join our Alumni community. To date, over 90% of TSIBA Bachelor of Business Administration in entrepreneurial leadership degree graduates are actively employed and active economic citizens. In the context of over 50% youth unemployment across South Africa this remains a proud metric of the work of TSIBA, more for the context of where our students start their academic journey.  To enjoy this moment with us please enjoy the video of the 2025 Graduation.     

• Following years of work on the development of a new TSIBA Business School Diploma in Information and Communication Technology we can report that accreditation from the South African Council of Higher Education has been received, with South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET)  registration pending but imminent. This additional milestone literally imagines TSIBA entering into new but critical education territory if we are to equip students for the ever evolving digital age. It is intended that the TSIBA ICT Diploma will be available to students from semester one of 2026.

• The celebrations on the 27th of February this year, and on which date TSIBA proudly celebrated its 21st birthday — a milestone marking over two decades of transformative education and youth development. The celebration took place on our TSIBA Ndabeni campus, bringing together students, staff, alumni, supporters, and the broader community. This special day honoured TSIBA’s journey, its impact, and the many individuals who have contributed to shaping its legacy of access, purpose, and excellence in higher education.

Finally, with respect to fundraising through the IMAGINE TSIBA Campaign two separate fundraising events are in the planning stages. The first will take place in South Africa in the latter part of this year, while the second is tentatively planned to take place in Switzerland in March of 2026. Invitees to both events will include current and prospective donors, all of whom will be introduced to GlobalGiving as the platform through which contributions to the goals of IMAGINE TSIBA can be provided. Notwithstanding the planned events, awareness of the IMAGINE TSIBA Campaign in general and on GlobalGiving is communicated to all new international and prospective donors. TSIBA is well aware that the platform provides a financial challenge through which to donate, but also an indication of the credibility of TSIBA as a worthy institution to support through financial contributions.