Release
systemic chokes that trap us in inequality
Systemic chokes are the failures of policy, whether by design or consequence, that hinder the ability of individuals and communities to access and leverage innovation for human development. These often take the form of social ills such as binge drinking, gender-based violence, or of institutional systems that exclude marginalised groups from equitable access to welfare services and mobile data.
These systemic chokes are making it difficult to attain our country’s socio-economic development goals. So, our work aims to disrupt these trajectories of exclusion by reducing alcohol harm and gender-based violence, improving financing systems for social welfare services and removing the obstacle of high data costs for vulnerable groups.
There are ‘easy twists’ that keep being overlooked, which could open new pathways of development.
Much of the ‘choke’ on innovation in South Africa is psychological, due to years of marginalisation and disempowerment. 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.
Our strategy is to advocate for the implementation of the “five best buys” of reducing alcohol harm, endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This entails strategic public advocacy, policy reform for alcohol harm reduction and an effective ban on alcohol advertising in South Africa.
In addition, we need to remove the obstacle of high data costs for vulnerable groups by delivering a solution to implement the new spectrum licence condition for mobile network operators. This will ensure access to free educational and socio-economic development content provided by public benefit organisations.
We also aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of welfare financing through the Sector Funding Policy, and to support initiatives that will improve the lived experience of women in South Africa.
Our goal is to remove the chokes that stifle innovation because some groups of people cannot fully participate in our economy and society.
What we are working on…
- Implementing effective zero-rating of mobile content and services provided by public benefit organisations.
- Modelling a comprehensive alcohol harms reduction strategy that the government can adopt.
- Establishing a fair and effective interface between government and NGOs providing welfare services.
- Demonstrating effective strategies to reduce gender-based violence in our country.
Vuyokazi Kana takes her daughter to attend a playgroup in Duncan Village. Groups like this can benefit from DGMT’s Social Welfare Financing Reform project.
Escaping the inequality trap requires a twist in our thinking.
Click the button above to read our full five-year strategy. Want a shorter version? Click here
Flagship projects addressing this opportunity
Civil society projects addressing this opportunity
These projects are by no means a comprehensive list of the work of civil society. This list represents a small selection of organisations that will be updated from time to time
Philani is a home-based care service driven by community health workers to reduce stunting and alcohol-related harms in low-resource communities in Cape Town. In many of these communities, pregnant women face health risks associated with alcohol abuse and poor nutrition, resulting in fetal alcohol syndrome and children with low birth weight. These women are supported by Philani through mentoring programmes to ensure pregnancies are safe and children grow up healthy.
Medicine & talking therapy for an effective treatment
SAHARA (Smoking And Alcohol Harms Alleviation And Rehabilitation Association) was born from the need to respond to challenges faced by the communities of George which include interpersonal violence and motor vehicle collisions which are directly caused by the levels of smoking, harmful alcohol use, and substance abuse. The integrated family support structure for children has disintegrated due to economic hardship, and social, class and cultural factors, and increasingly the family home and immediate environment is becoming unsafe leading to community degradation. The programmes provided by SAHARA work with communities of George and are free of charge to service users. These programs cover a spectrum of interventions in health and generate the paradigm shift required to achieve sustained change within communities in relation to harmful substance use.
Communities where people thrive
The project provides rehabilitation to senior citizens with disabilities in some of the most vulnerable communities in Cape Town. The focal communities for the project are Khayelitsha, Dunoon, New Crossroads, Gugulethu, Phillipi, Langa, Nyanga and Delft. The dual approach of having a club-based model and community-based workers allows for the development of an individualised care plan while sustaining engagement with seniors through the clubs. Home-based care is crucial in this case as it mitigates a number of issues such as transport to the clinic, and long waiting periods. This type of care helps seniors rehabilitate in an environment where they feel safe while receiving necessary healthcare services. When needed the organisation also accompanies the seniors to clinic or doctors' appointments. With this intervention, the burden on the family members and caregivers is reduced, whilst offering fundamental care services.
Direct and accessible treatment & support
Social Transformation Action Defined (STAND)’s School-Based Early Intervention Programme (EI) for Alcohol and Substance Use Prevention is designed to advance early intervention approaches to reduce the risk of progressed harmful drinking patterns and addiction and to promote the health and wellbeing of the young people in the region. Additionally, STAND works to support Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors and change the way that policy-makers, providers, communities, and families think about, talk about, and address youth alcohol and substance use.
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