Journal of African Development

Advancement initiatives in an African context are simultaneously compelling and challenging.  Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), the only South African university located in a township, Umlazi, in KwaZulu-Natal, finds itself in a unique context, with clearly identified and articulated needs emanating from historical disadvantage, but limited internal resources. Community and institutional contexts impact one another; decreasing state funding and increasing Higher Education fees make the diversification of income streams imperative within what is a complex and contested area. The paper argues that nature, scope and size, and individual characteristics of Higher Education institutions, are factors which directly impact success in resource allocation and goal attainment.  The Institutional Advancement structure at MUT seeks to mobilise resources and garner third stream income through the three pillars of Fundraising and Development, Alumni Relations and Enterprise Development. An overview is provided of three advancement initiatives within the MUT context: Student Giving, Alumni Giving Projects and Short Courses. In so doing, it reflects critically on what each reveals about innovation in under-resourced Higher Education contexts. The projects are proving significant, as advancement is both quantitative and qualitative in nature and impact, and transformative giving is developmental. In establishing and sharpening our strategic approach, they are helping to transform understandings of how we advance the goals of the university in an African context. The paper concludes with implications for African Higher Education advancement, notably that context, culture and relationship capital are crucial to sustained engagement and outcomes