South African Patent Application No. 2024/07574
Community & Youth Empowerment
Why Community-Led Matters
DigiDeeds is designed to be led by the communities it serves. Instead of relying on top-down bureaucracy, the platform enables residents themselves to verify and validate ownership through local networks.
Community Agents — embedded in each township — help facilitate onboarding, education and trust, ensuring ownership recognition starts where it matters most.
Community Impact
Quinton Adams – Founder of The Shackbuilder
Quinton Adams
Quinton Adams is the founder of The Shackbuilder, a South African non-profit dedicated to transforming informal settlements into safer, more dignified living spaces. With over two decades of experience as an educational psychologist, ethnographic researcher, lecturer, author and social consultant, Quinton has devoted his career to uplifting communities across Cape Town and beyond. He also leads Masekhane Development Solutions, a consultancy focused on sustainable social interventions and community transformation.
The Shackbuilder Movement
Launched after devastating storms in 2017, The Shackbuilder Movement works to provide safer, more resilient housing in Cape Town’s informal settlements. What started as an emergency response has grown into a structured initiative, formally registered as The Shackbuilder NPC.
The movement is powered by local contractors and community members, with an emphasis on:
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Dignity – creating safe, respectful living conditions
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Health – improving shelter and reducing exposure to hazards
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Sustainability – building long-lasting, practical solutions
Impact so far:
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50+ new shacks constructed
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Food and relief distributed during harsh winters
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Emergency support provided for fire and flood victims
Training & Youth Empowerment
Through the Backyard Varsity program, Quinton drives youth empowerment by equipping unemployed youth with practical construction skills, enabling them to become certified shack builders.
Highlights:
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Over 100 young people trained
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Hands-on construction experience
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Job readiness, employability skills and long-term youth empowerment
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Restoring dignity and purpose through meaningful work
Community Recognition & Media Features
Quinton’s efforts have received national recognition, earning nominations such as ETV South African Hero, along with features on:
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ETV
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ENCA
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SABC 2
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KykNET
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Local radio programs
Beyond building, his humanitarian contributions include providing food parcels, beds for the homeless and emergency relief during winter crises.
Ways to Contribute
Support The Shackbuilder Movement and advance youth empowerment by helping families gain dignity, safety, and recognition in their communities:
Donate
Every contribution goes directly to homeowners and people working on the ground — local builders, youth teams, and community agents — not overheads. Your gift strengthens safer homes and stronger families.
Volunteer
Offer your time and skills — from construction support to mentoring and youth programs — to help communities build with dignity.
Share & Advocate
Raise awareness by sharing our mission, championing youth empowerment and inviting others to stand with families working toward safer homes.
Every action — big or small — helps build safer, more dignified living spaces, empowers young people and enables communities to thrive.
