What's in a name?

A great brand name is felt, rather than explained. So, this blog isn't an explanation of what Riva means, but instead, a story of how we got here.

To start with the name. The name bonds us to water – to its life-giving properties; to its ability to find a path through obstacles; to its relentless flow; to its connectivity; to its place in humankind’s journey.

Riva defines us as a ‘lifeforce’, partnering with nation builders to transform people’s lives and societies’ futures. Riva – via its name, its design and its symbolism –elevates us and challenges Riva’s people to live up to our purpose, mission and values. In so doing, Riva will inspire those we seek to influence to come to us, to listen to us, to trust us, to invest in us and to follow through on their promises. And ours to them. 

I know a few will think this is just ‘big English’, as some of my Ghanaian colleagues brilliantly (and politely) call jargon. But any great name and brand identity carries the spirit of the people and their organisation – we hope you’ll think ours does just that. And that it lives up to the values and mission we share with nation builders around the world. 

Some of you will know I had a career in the creative and communication industries, and I called in a few favours from friends and colleagues to help us over the last couple of years on the brand development. One of those was Neil Cassie, founder of The Cassie Partnership. Neil has a long and illustrious background in advertising and was for a decade the Director of Brand Planning Worldwide for Leo Burnett. That may not mean much to some of you, but it’s a big deal. He now focusses on driving cultural change with senior leaders. This is what Neil says about the name:

‘’A great brand name – through how it looks, how it sounds and how it feels – tells a story. A story in which you have a part. A story of a future. Riva represents a living story, an authentic story, a story of unlocking human potential, a story of transformation.’’

Enough said. That’s it on the name. Riva is now yours to make stories and transformative change around together with our teams. I hope in time it tells the story we all want Riva to play a role in achieving – attaining the human right to safe water and sanitation and a citizen’s broader right to effective public services.  

And as for the identity. Well, like the name, you don’t have to love it (though we’d be thrilled if you did), but it needs to stand out.  We engaged South African design agency KANAKA to help us. Kanaka means ‘people’ but as a name, it is so much more than a word. It carries a commitment to forging genuine connections with others. That feels like a perfect summary of what we’re seeking to do with the brand. 

Describing the power of the Riva brand, Sapho Dlangamandla, Co-Founder & Creative Director of KANAKA said: 

“The power of a brand comes from a clear point of view rooted in a universal human truth. Riva brings this to life through a bold, forward-thinking identity that expresses its lifeforce bond, connects people and reflects a commitment to systems transformation.”

We’re experts and systems leaders, but in the end our shared challenges are met through being human – building real connections, working together in collective action, and for Riva staff, participating in a network rooted in the majority world. Our brand will feel very different and an outlier from typical development NGOs or the business formality of commercial consultancies. 

Ultimately, we hope that it evokes in you a world we’re all seeking to create. One that is just and fair, where human rights are met, where wellbeing is attained, where joy, playfulness, art, cultural engagement and celebration of family, friends and community are at the heart of our lives, free from the struggle for human rights. We hope that the look, feel and tone of voice evokes a little bit of that humanity. And shows that when you work with us, you’re partnering with people who bring their whole selves to work and, like you, aim to transform the lives of people – for the better, for all of us.