Passionate, imaginative, critical thinkers are civil society’s greatest assets. But over the past two decades, some of that energy and creativity has dissipated. Some movers and shakers went into government in the early nineties, and many have moved on since then. Others have struggled to develop and retain an emerging leadership as funding from international donors has declined.

Reigniting the creativity and community responsiveness of civil society could generate new solutions.

Some are battle-weary from the daily struggle of trying to meet the enormous needs of the communities they serve, while at the same time facing late payments from government contracts.

Despite these challenges, there are many organisations that have shown how innovation can be stimulated by unusual ideas, unlocking doors that constrain innovation and exclude people, and creating unlikely networks that stimulate innovation and build social capital. No matter how large or small, these are the organisations we’d like to support and learn from.

Of course, behind each sparky organisation are sparky people and a sparky mindset! Much of the ‘choke’ on innovation in South Africa is psychological: for reasons related to years of marginalisation and disempowerment, people do not have enough of a ‘can-do’ attitude! We must find ways to stimulate people, organisations and communities to have a sense of pride and aspiration, that will help to further unlock opportunity.