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 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. In addition, the Thrive by Five Index found that fewer than half of 4-5-year-olds are developmentally on track. This learning brief examines existing data on child development and wellbeing, what it signifies, and why we need accelerated action for children to turn the tide. It draws from two consolidated pieces of research released in 2024 by key partners, namely the South African Early Childhood Review and the Child Gauge.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU here.
Learning to lead in fellowship: Approaches to leadership development for civil society
DGMT has set three goals to help South Africa escape the inequality trap, and has identified 10 powerful opportunities to realise each goal. This forms the guiding framework for everything the organisation does. The first goal is an innovative and inclusive society, which can build the scaffolding for human and knowledge capital to thrive and drive public innovation. One of the key drivers of public innovation is the capacitation of leadership. DGMT has long held the view that civil society should take its equal place alongside government and business in shaping the social and economic future of South Africa. This requires a pipeline of skilled, confident leaders with a strong sense of identity as public innovators. This learning brief reflects on approaches to leadership development, and is authored by one of the facilitators involved in DGMT’s Innovation Fellowship for young leaders in civil society. It’s a glimpse into the evolution of the facilitation team’s thinking about the programme’s design, in their efforts to cultivate the leadership qualities needed to address the unique challenges and opportunities for those working in civil society. Through this brief, the facilitators hope to inspire people to think differently about leadership development and adapt innovative methods for building leadership in their own contexts.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU here.
Setting up public school partnerships in the Northern Cape
The Lesedi Solar Park Trust in the Northern Cape has a mandate to invest in communities within a 50-kilometre radius of the Lesedi Power Project over an extended period of time. DGMT’s place-based synergies (PBS) team is responsible for managing community development funds for the trust and facilitates supportive developmental pathways for people in the communities of Postmasburg, Skeyfontein, Marimane, Jenn-Haven, Danielskuil, Groenwater and Lime Acres. Public School Partnerships (PSP), a programme co-funded by DGMT, is starting work with three schools in the Lesedi catchment area after 18 months of consultation, co-creation and cooperation. The programme aims to change the trajectory of school-going children. This learning brief looks at the steps taken to meet the needs of school communities by setting up an effective public school partnership in the Lesedi catchment area.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU here.
Read the complete issue below magazine-style on ISSUU – choose full-screen mode [ ] for a better reading experience. Download the complete Hands-on Learning publication (Issue 29) as a PDF.
