Social Justice Archive
The Hidden Architecture of Innovation: How Funders Build (or Block) Learning Systems
By Sarah Binos, CEO of Huddle Education Innovation requires trust and messy experimentation Innovation in social change is often imagined and then proposed as a
HOPE as Contagious Capital to Shift from Problem to Possibility
By Rene Parker, Director at Rlabs From statistics to humanity and connection The discussion surrounding South Africa’s youth employment challenge is far too often confined
From Global Summits to Grounded Change: Philanthropy’s Role in a Shifting Landscape
By Kirsten Pearson, Researcher and Activist (views are her own) This November, multilateralism, and the voice of civil society came under scrutiny at the G20
Organising in the Time of Crises: A Survival Kit for Philanthropy
By Thokozile Madonko, Researcher, Public Economy Project, The Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand Philanthropy’s interest in crisis and disruptions Crises, like
Poetic Provocation: 2025 IPASA Annual Philanthropy Symposium
By Ashanti Kunene, Poetic Provocateur and Founder of Learning 2 Unlearn I wear many hats but today I come to you as an art activist
Philanthropy is Not About Giving What We Have – It is About Changing What is Possible, Over Time
By Koffi M. Kouakou – Strategic Foresight Practitioner, African Futures Scholar & Sessional Lecturer, Wits School of Governance Protecting the past or constructing a future
Philanthropy’s Role in Supporting Collective Social Innovation
Collective action for systems change and innovation has emerged as a prominent theme in recent philanthropy sector conversations and media. The Stanford Social Innovation Review
Investing in People and Wellbeing: A Foundation for Change in Philanthropy
By Marlene Marlene Ogawa, Country Director: South Africa, The Synergos Institute Systemic transformation takes place through people Philanthropy and the development sector are at a
Transformation of Philanthropy in these Changing Times
The world is changing at breakneck speed, creating the urgent need for philanthropy’s rapid transformation. We can remain reactive funders responding to escalating change or
Beyond the G20: Funding People’s Power for Global Economic Justice
Sekoetlane Phamodi, Director, New Economy Hub A counterpoint for the G20 On 20-22 November 2025, progressive forces from the Majority World and our allies from
From Risk to Renewal: Powering Change Through the Just Energy Transition
By Carmen Möllmann, JET Platform Analyst, JET PMU, The Presidency From questions to opportunities and collaboration South Africa faces deep climate, energy and economic risks
EdTech: From Scattered Excellence to Systemic Transformation
By Gigi Ngcobo, Venture Scale Lead, Injini EdTech Accelerator and Think Tank Imagine a different South Africa Imagine a South Africa where 81% of Grade
South African Philanthropy is Funding the Biggest Early Childhood Outcomes Fund in the World
By Adriana Balducci, Chief Delivery Officer, EOF Philanthropy aligned with government priorities South African philanthropy has spent decades supporting early childhood development. As the country
How can philanthropy leverage uncertainty to create opportunity in these complex times?
By Louise Driver, Executive Director, IPASA Last quarter’s newsletter I closed with a question: what would it mean for philanthropy to treat uncertainty as the
Strengthening Democracy: Philanthropy’s Role in Building Agency and Participation
By Janet Love, Vice-Chairperson, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Perceptions about democracy and voting South Africa’s democracy was won at great cost, and the right to
From Funding Projects to Funding Possibilities: Rethinking Philanthropy for Systemic Change
By Sibongile Maepa, Grantmaking Lead, Trevor Noah Foundation Innovation for lasting change South Africa faces deep-rooted, persistent educational and social challenges. Simultaneously, traditional sources of
Jobs Boost Fund: Re-thinking Funding for Outcomes, Innovation and Lasting Impact
By Riyaadh Ebrahim, Programme Director: Jobs Boost Stimulating sustained employment South Africa spends billions of rand every year trying to get young people into jobs
From Energy Transition to Whole-Place Transformation: A Role for Philanthropy
By Matebe Chisiza-Asukile, Social Investment Specialist and Team Lead, and Cebisa Zondo, Social Investment Analyst, Tshikululu Social Investments Building economically resilient communities At times, South