"..the biggest challenge facing most African nations is to creatively adapt ideas to their unique environment." - Mr. Patrick Boateng, Adviser for Africa, US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at the African Internet Summit and Exhibition(AFRINET) 2002, held in Abuja, Nigeria.

In the October 20, 2000 edition of Newsweek magazine, Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web(NOT the Internet, which was created 20 years before the web) in an interview expressed his belief that the Internet presents a "real chance" of integrating the Third World with the rest of the world.

He narrated a story(told to him by someone who had been a missionary in Africa) about a woman who had taught herself English through the Bible, and subsequently began earning a living by translating documents received in English over the net into the local dialect. As Tim put it, Internet access can enable a person earn income in a way that would not have been possible before, and can even benefit an entire village. He added that there are numerous jobs which are just "information-in, information-out" that anyone anywhere in the world can do if they are given access to the Internet. (SDAc invites you to visit www.freelanceworkexchange.com to see countless examples).

The SDAc, through this website aims to demonstrate practically, specific ways any individual or group can successfully utilise self-development, in conjunction with technology and the Internet, to empower themselves economically, socially and politically. We will provide real-world relevant information and education that will equip our target audience with competencies they need to more frequently achieve authentic personal successes, and also show them how they can help others like themselves, achieve similar successes.

"I want to be part of a South Africa and Africa sending out a new message to the world, of taking responsibility for our own challenges. The world has got used to a picture of Africa asking for support, with cupped hands. It's time we create a new image of Africa. It's time that we ourselves start giving and assert our sense of dignity. We deserve respect. It is time we stop apologizing for ourselves and acknowledge our achievements".
- Graça Machel -Mandela

Even though we are engaged in people development and empowerment, the SDA is NOT - and has no intention of becoming - a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO). We maintain a profit making focus, and believe that by so doing, we will be better able to empower our target audience with income-generating skills than if we ourselves depended on grants and other unearned income sources to fund our operations. Click here to learn more about the Self-Development Academy Limited.