For over 30 years, Dreamcatcher South Africa, a registered non-profit, has been breaking the cycles of poverty, exclusion, and inequality — redefining what outcomes-based sustainable development can achieve.

Born in South Africa’s townships in the early 1990s, our journey began unexpectedly — with a toothache — and grew into a movement powered by empathy, courage, and a refusal to accept the status quo. What started as a grassroots response by women from diverse cultures has evolved into a model that inspires transformation across Africa and beyond.

From the beginning, our founder Anthea recognised a simple truth: sustainable change takes root where people live. Communities are the custodians of their environment and the drivers of their own futures. Guided by this belief, she went door to door, mobilising women and youth to confront the barriers holding their dreams back — limited education, recurring poverty, unemployment, gender inequality, lack of enterprise opportunities, and deteriorating environmental quality with serious impacts on community health.

Our answer? People-powered sustainability.
We build inclusive, integrated, outcomes-based models that empower communities to become the voices and leaders of lasting change in a symbiotic relationship with their local environment. Through a human-centred, intergenerational approach — with a strong focus on women-led enterprise and innovation — we help local people design and implement their own sustainable futures.

Our work spans community enterprises, responsible tourism and route development, biodiversity protection, literacy and life skills, employability training, community wellness, and circular-economy initiatives — all driven by ordinary people fuelled by purpose.

Today, Dreamcatcher stands at the forefront of inclusive sustainable development. Recognised across Africa and beyond, we’ve spent decades turning the UN Development Goals into real-world impact.

We proudly welcome students, researchers, volunteers, and travellers from around the world to join our journey. Go Truly Local™ and discover a South Africa where communities lead, sustainability becomes a way of life, and purposeful travel leaves lasting footprints — and lasting memories.

Walk with us — and help shape the future together.
It’s the Dreamcatcher way. Welcome.