Op-ed: Ignoring child nutrition in South Africa can’t be the next big mistake
President Cyril Ramaphosa regrets that early childhood development (ECD) was not prioritised from the advent of democracy. At the Bana Pele Leadership Summit last month, he turned to Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and said: “I’m the first in government to admit that we have made a mistake. We should have started with early childhood development […]
Op-ed: Peer-to-peer learning in early childhood development is a winning strategy
On a quiet Saturday morning, deep in the rolling green hills of the Wild Coast, a gathering of dedicated early childhood development (ECD) practitioners took place. Despite it being a weekend, 30 women and four men arrived to participate in a “community of practice” (CoP). Think of a CoP as a group of people who […]
Article: Community trusts are greening the future
Community trusts linked to renewable energy projects are designed to ensure a portion of profits benefits the locals. Otsile Bokamoso is an after-school educational organisation whose name means “The future is bright”. Based in Dealesville, a small mixed-farming town in Free State province, it provides academic support to learners in the foundation phase (grades one […]
Hands-on Learning Issue 29
Through the Hands-on Learning publication, we hope to play a helpful role in synthesising information from innovators and implementers in civil society, supporting them to share what they have learnt so that others can draw from and build on their experiences. Data-informed arguments for investment in children In 2024, analysis of routine data revealed that […]
Learning Brief – Data-informed arguments for investment in children
In 2024, analysis of routine data revealed that some of South Africa’s gains in child development and wellbeing are stalling, and may be starting to reverse. Young children are now more likely to live in poverty, suffer from food insecurity and malnutrition, and die before their fifth birthday than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic. […]
Hands-on Learning Issue 28
Through the Hands-on Learning publication we hope to play a helpful role in synthesising information from innovators and implementers in civil society, supporting them to share what they have learnt so that others can draw from and build on their experiences. Spotlight on obstetric violence: Building a compelling argument for social change Obstetric violence (OV) […]
Learning Brief – Navigating change in complex social systems
Systemic change typically unfolds within complex social systems where interactions are dynamic and often unpredictable. Many of our most pressing social challenges – like poverty and climate change – stem from these large, intricate systems, making the path to meaningful change uncertain and non-linear. In these systems, behaviours and patterns are deeply ingrained. This learning […]
What are policy windows?
The Learning Lunch podcast explores ideas, approaches and social innovations – creating opportunity for non-profit organisations’ teams to discover what others are learning and space to reflect on what these insights might mean for their own strategy and programme implementation. Download takeaway instructions In the world of policy change, timing is everything. According to political […]
eNCA Interview: Spotlight on investment in early childhood development
Calls are being made for the seventh administration to invest properly in early childhood development. eNCA spoke to DGMT CEO, David Harrison, who said that the country needs a common agenda for children, which can act as a powerful rallying call to take South Africa forward. Click on the image and watch the full interview […]
INX Interview: Building Futures: Children’s rights NGOs urge GNU action
David Harrison, CEO of the DG Murray Trust, shares with INX Prime a call for the Government of National Unity (GNU) to prioritise children’s needs in the ongoing discourse about a new social compact for South Africa. New research has revealed that the progress made in reducing child poverty and mortality since 1994 is being […]
