What would it take for every child in South Africa to grow up with enough food, love, safety and brain power to reach their full potential? A new national strategy aims to make that vision a reality. The National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) approved by Cabinet in December 2025, sets out the country’s top 10 priorities for improving the lives of children and teenagers. It identifies gaps in services and highlights interventions that could speed up progress. While government will lead implementation, the strategy makes clear that real progress will require a whole-of-society effort, that is championed through a national campaign known as Hold My Hand. There is a role for all of us: communities, faith-based organisations, business, trade unions and civil society.

Civil society organisations are already active across the country, often stepping in where services are thin or absent. Through nutrition programmes, support for early learning, afterschool programmes and more, they are helping children and teens every day. With the NSAAC approved, the question is how these efforts can connect with and strengthen implementation of the strategy.

In this podcast, we talk about the role of civil society in turning a national commitment into tangible change. We ask Mesuli Kama, Mobilisation Lead for the Hold My Hand Accelerator for Children and Teens, how NGOs can contribute to the NSAAC’s priorities.