Our Impact

View of Impact

At the Xylem SA Trust, impact isn’t just about numbers—it’s about depth, dignity, and systems that hold. We measure success through a blend of hard data, human stories, and structural shifts: how many learners gained access, yes—but also whether the ground beneath them is more stable. We track progress in four core areas: Early learning sites formalised and supported Students funded and retained through higher education Youth trained and placed in technical fields Local innovations adopted and sustained But it’s not only about what we count—it’s about what we honour. We celebrate the small victories that signal real change: a child learning in a safe classroom, a student breaking through financial barriers, a community innovating from within. That’s where impact lives.

Comprehensive analysis...

We define success through a mix of data, storytelling, and systems change—not only how many were reached, but how deeply change took hold.

What We Track

What We Celebrate

Real people. Real change. We share the stories of children who now learn in dignity, students who push beyond barriers, and communities that build hyperlocal capacity.

Our Impact Framework: Support, Growth, Legacy

The Xylem SA Trust takes a long-term view of impact—one that scaffolds sustainability across people, places, and programmes. Our work is structured into three interlinked channels that reflect the journey of our beneficiaries and the evolution of our partnerships

Support Channel

This is where we start—removing the most immediate barriers to participation. Whether it’s a functioning toilet at a preschool, a bursary to access higher education, or basic infrastructure to get a skills programme off the ground, the Support Channel addresses foundational needs. It’s where access begins, and dignity is restored.

Growth Channel

Here, we deepen the investment. As learners, educators, and partners progress, we extend support—through advanced training, mentorship, shared networks, and systems-strengthening initiatives. The Growth Channel represents the shift from individual upliftment to institutional resilience.

Legacy Channel

Impact isn’t a one-way street. The Legacy Channel is where beneficiaries return as contributors—alumni who collaborate, mentor, and invest back into the system. It’s a living laboratory for innovation and peer-led development, helping the Trust regenerate value through every cycle. Together, these channels form a flexible, adaptive framework that grows with our communities—balancing urgent needs with long-term outcomes

Sylvia Tshivhunge

Country Lead: Public Utilities, Xylem South Africa Sylvia brings over two decades of leadership in water and municipal services, with a career spanning local government, utilities, and infrastructure consulting. An MBA graduate from Stellenbosch University, she has held executive roles including Director of Municipal Services at WSSA and Technical Services at OR Tambo District Municipality. Sylvia leads Xylem’s public utility strategy in South Africa and offers deep experience in service delivery, change management, and institutional strengthening.