The DGMT Learning Lunch podcast

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Maternal Support Grant: It's social justice 25:00

for 5 weeks siden25:00

Spill senere

Lister

Lik

Likt

25:00

What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘social protection’? For many, it’s social grants or government assistance programmes. But at its core, social protection is a safety net that keeps people from falling deeper into poverty, benefiting individuals and society. In South Africa, even though this principle is embedded in the Constitution, there are still gaps in our social protection system. Pregnant women living in poverty are falling through the cracks. Without financial support during pregnancy, women living in poor communities face greater economic hardship, limiting their ability to work and making it harder to afford nutritious food and healthcare. Right now, South Africa doesn’t have a dedicated social grant for expectant mothers living in poverty. Yet research shows that providing financial assistance during pregnancy leads to healthier babies and better long-term outcomes. This matters for NGOs working on the frontlines of social development. The people most in need of social protection are often the very same communities that NGOs serve — whether in maternal health, early childhood development, or food security. A Maternal Support Grant (MSG) wouldn’t just change lives at an individual level; it could also ease the burden on NGOs because stronger state support for pregnant women has the potential to break cycles of intergenerational poverty. In this Deep Dive conversation, we look at what a Maternal Support Grant could mean for South Africa, why it’s a social justice issue, and how NGOs can help push this conversation forward. We speak to Wanga Zembe-Mkabile, senior specialist scientist at the South African Medical Research Council; Julie Mentor, Project lead of Embrace and Daniel McLaren, a public finance economist at Ilifa Labantwana. Visit to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Litigate to advocate 23:43

for 5 weeks siden23:43

23:43

Strategic litigation is a tactic that involves going to court to promote social change or human rights. This approach targets specific legal barriers that affect entire communities, aiming to reshape laws, policies or practices. But when is strategic litigation the right tool for an NGO? In some cases, it's essential when there's a clear legal violation that requires judicial intervention to effect change — such as when governments fail to uphold constitutional rights. On the other hand, it may not be the best strategy when the legal system isn’t the right forum for the issue at hand, or when the political or public momentum is still building, and a different kind of advocacy could be more effective. In this Best Bite podcast, we break down the factors that determine whether strategic litigation is the right course of action for NGOs by drawing on the experience of DGMT’s Alcohol Harms Reduction campaign (relaunched as Rethink Your Drink). We speak to the campaign’s lead Zimasa Mpemnyama about why they’ve decided that the courtroom is the best place to effect change. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/litigate-to-advocate to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - The anatomy of a powerful idea 30:39

for 31 weeks siden30:39

30:39

Civil society is a vibrant ecosystem of interest groups, activists, advocacy groups and organisations delivering a range of social services. These groups are often the first to design and test interventions, learning from their successes and failures, and staying closely connected to the communities they serve. They conduct research, gather evidence, and develop innovative solutions to pressing social issues. In many ways, civil society is the originator of powerful ideas that can lead to significant social impact. But how do these ideas get taken up by the state? Beyond the usual processes of public participation and opportunities to comment on policy and legislation, how are civil society organisations shaping public policy and perceptions? In this Deep Dive conversation, we explore the makings of powerful ideas and how they gain political traction and social support. Our guests are Zoe Postman, head of communications for social change at the Equality Collective, and Phylicia Oppelt, project lead of Change Ideas – a DGMT initiative. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/the-anatomy-of-a-powerful-idea to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - What are policy windows? 28:34

for 31 weeks siden28:34

28:34

In the world of policy change, timing is everything. According to political science scholar John Kingdon, a significant policy shift happens when three things are in place. First, the problem must be well understood. Second, there must be a viable and feasible solution ready to address that problem. And third, there must be political will to deal with the problem. When these conditions are met, a policy window opens, sometimes unpredictably. Having solutions ready at the right time is key to taking advantage of these opportunities. This could mean working for several years, even decades, building a body of evidence for your solution before an opportunity reveals itself. For NGOs who have long been lobbying for systemic reforms to improve the accessibility and quality of early learning programmes in South Africa, a radical shift in the landscape presented itself in early 2024 when the minister of education called for an urgent push to register approximately 22 000 unregistered early learning programmes. Only registered programmes can access state subsidies for children in poorer communities. Today, the mass registration drive (as it’s known to those involved in its design and implementation) is a collaborative effort between government and its social partners. In this Nourish & Flourish conversation, we talk to Kayin Scholtz, process design lead for the mass registration drive about how social partners are rallying to support the Department of Basic Education’s efforts to expand access to early childhood development subsidies and the conditions that made all this possible. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/what-are-policy-windows to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - What does tomorrow’s workforce look like? 32:00

for 31 weeks siden32:00

32:00

Imagine if solving unemployment was as easy as creating more jobs or ending food poverty by producing more food. It's never that straightforward. In South Africa, around 3 million young people aged 15-24 are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), facing vulnerabilities that deepen when their situation remains unchanged for long periods. Wicked problems like youth unemployment are complex and require comprehensive approaches. Enter the Basic Package of Support (BPS) programme — a consortium project with the Centre for Social Development (CSDA) and the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) designed to help young people who are NEET to reconnect with opportunities. Through personalised, face-to-face support and connections to support services, BPS aims to empower young people and improve their access to education and employment pathways. Data-driven insights play a crucial role in the success of this project – not only in terms of understanding the NEET population and their varied needs but also in the landscape of state-sponsored and NGO-driven support services and understanding what it’ll take to improve access to these services and the quality of these interventions. In this Best Bites podcast, we talk to Bridget Hannah, Innovation Director at DGMT. Bridget’s portfolio is all about supporting young people in our country to fully participate in society and the economy. In an unequal country like South Africa, there are many socio-economic reasons why young people drop out of school, struggle to find work and battle to build economic livelihoods for themselves. Bridget’s portfolio is focused on really understanding young people’s challenges and driving targeted interventions to support them to keep their grip on opportunities and build productive lives. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/what-does-tomorrows-workforce-look-like to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Caring about the care economy 21:24

for 49 weeks siden21:24

21:24

In recent years, non-profit organisations (NPOs) have grappled with dwindling donor funding and reduced support from government departments, affecting their ability to provide crucial social welfare and development services to communities. These organisations are part of a care economy that supports children in places of safety, people living with disabilities and the elderly, to name just some of the beneficiaries of their work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation worsened for many of these organisations due to delayed payments from government. Consequently, some had to sell off assets or retrench staff, affecting their operations. Join us as we delve into the critical role of NPOs in providing social welfare services for marginalised and vulnerable communities and how they are impacted by government budget cuts, fickle donors and societal apathy. In this Nourish & Flourish conversation, Nasiphi Zwakala, an Innovation Manager at DGMT, tells us why care is a good cornerstone of any economy. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how we can strengthen our social fabric, support our care economy, and champion those who are providing care services to vulnerable and marginalised people. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/caring-about-the-care-economy to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Using incentives for change 36:51

for 49 weeks siden36:51

36:51

Social and economic incentives are powerful tools to motivate and influence behaviour in individuals, communities and organisations. Social incentives often involve recognition, belonging, or social approval, while economic incentives typically involve financial rewards, discounts, or tangible benefits. They have the potential to drive positive actions and encourage participation in activities that contribute to societal goals such as environmental conservation, community development, or public health initiatives. So, how should we be using social and economic incentives to address South Africa’s waste problem? Much of our country’s solid waste is in landfills, including organic waste, such as food scraps, which could be composted instead. Addressing South Africa’s waste problem requires a joint effort from all of us, including everyday consumers, big producers, policymakers, municipalities, and waste treatment facilities. Recycling larger volumes of waste relies on more people sorting their waste at home. Social and economic incentives linked to the things that are most important to people can encourage their buy-in, especially for those who don’t have regular waste collection and are dealing with other pressing service delivery challenges. But we also need infrastructure to support recycling, composting, and divert large volumes of waste away from landfills. Behaviour change and systemic change go hand in hand. In this Deep Dive conversation, we talk to Chad Robertson, CEO and co-founder of Regenize, and Andrew Hartnack, anthropologist and researcher about innovative solutions and incentives to change social norms around dumping, littering and sorting your waste at home. This is part of DGMT’s Create Change campaign aimed at inspiring individual and collective action to reduce waste. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/using-incentives-for-change to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Trust-based funding for NGOs 22:04

for 1 year siden22:04

22:04

Community-based organisations (CBOs) are non-profits operating at the local level, albeit with limited resources at their disposal. They tend to be reliant on volunteers, responsive to the unique needs of their community and best placed to diagnose problems and identify solutions with residents. Many are financially excluded from donor funding because they operate in rural and far-flung areas with limited visibility and recognition; they don’t have established track records; and they don’t have the administrative capacity or know-how to provide the financial, monitoring and compliance documents that donors expect. But despite these constraints, they play a crucial role in grassroots development, community empowerment, and social change. To help CBOs overcome these funding challenges, DGMT is exploring a trust-based grant-making model that improves access to cash streams while also placing more decision-making power in the hands of the grantees themselves and the communities they serve. The trust-based funding model acknowledges that communities and organisations often have the best understanding of their needs and are better positioned to determine how resources can be most effectively utilised to achieve positive outcomes. This is why DGMT, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project have partnered to launch the Sukuthula! Unmute & Act initiative supporting community-based organisations that respond to gender-based violence in four districts in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. Ultimately, this initiative aims to demonstrate that South Africa needs a coordinated funding approach at the community level to adequately respond to gender-based violence. In this podcast, we talk to Zandile Mqwathi, the project manager for gender-based violence initiatives at DGMT. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/trust-based-funding-for-ngos to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Putting children first 26:20

for 1 year siden26:20

26:20

Imagine a world where every child is loved, nourished, and protected—where they are read to, and encouraged to be curious. In this world, children don't just learn well, but they thrive, and so does the entire country. Nobel Prize Winner for Economic Sciences, James Heckman said: "Early childhood development is the most powerful investment in human capital that a country can make." This is because early childhood development lays the foundation for a lifetime of success. But countries require synergy and accelerated delivery of services to ensure every child’s development needs are met, especially when poverty and inequality are high. In South Africa, essential services for young children are scattered across various state departments. They lack effective synergy and accelerated delivery. We are not the first country to recognise that collaboration and coordination are hurdles to overcome. In their effort to promote early childhood development and break cycles of poverty, a number of countries have established autonomous agencies specifically designed to manage key functions of early childhood development. Others have integrated ECD service delivery under a single government ministry. There are pros and cons to any approach. In this podcast, we ask the question: What are other countries doing to put children first and what can South Africa learn from them? We speak to Kentse Radebe (Innovation Director in the All Children on Track by Grade 4 portfolio and incoming Deputy CEO), Senzo Hlophe (Director of Partnerships & Impact) and Shazly Savahl (Department of Psychology at the University of the Western Cape and Board Member of the International Society for Child Indicators). Visit www.dgmt.co.za/putting-children-first to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

1
The Learning Lunch - When projects don't go according to plan 27:12

for 1 year siden27:12

27:12

Civil society organisations are a catalyst for innovation and positive social change in communities – filling gaps in service delivery. To be effective, these organisations must be agile and able to adjust their programmes and products to meet the needs of their communities. Sometimes this means going back to the drawing board, rethinking programme delivery, and iterating to achieve desired outcomes. But in pressure-cooker environments, many organisations don’t have the time, financial resources or capacity to stop, rethink and start again. After all, they rely on grants, donations and fundraising to keep their operations going. So, when a project is not going according to plan, the pathway to achieving the organisation’s objectives can become less clear and staff morale takes a dip. How do some organisations find their way while others struggle to get back on course? In this podcast, we talk to Nomfundo Calana, the project lead of JobStarter – a tech-based initiative that supports young people to get ready for the world of work. The latest version of the JobStarter website and app launched in 2023 after years of refinement. Although this is not unusual for a tech-based product, JobStarter is a non-profit facing similar challenges that others in civil society face, such as capacity constraints and keeping donors onside. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/when-projects-dont-go-according-to-plan to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Fellowships for social change 30:44

for 2 years siden30:44

30:44

Civil society organisations, in their form and function, are distinct from corporations and the state. But this doesn’t preclude them from using programmes and strategies that are also used by governments and businesses to shape societal outcomes. Running a fellowship programme is an example of this. Generally speaking, fellowships are funded, short-term opportunities, focused on professional, academic or personal development. Fellowships facilitate interpersonal connections and provide individuals with the opportunity for self-reflection, experiential learning, cultural immersion and community-building. These experiences can lead to the development of mutual understanding, trust, and shared values. Through fellowships, civil society organisations can build energetic communities or networks that have a creative life of their own. However, the scaling properties of fellowships are notoriously difficult to define and measure. In this Deep Dive podcast, we speak to Carol-Ann Foulis from DGMT’s Innovation Fellowship; Rumbi Görgens from the Mamandla Fellowship, and Andisiwe Hlungwane from Teachers Can about how they are using fellowships for social change. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/fellowships-for-social-change to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Community ownership is not a means to an end 29:07

for 2 years siden29:07

29:07

If you work in civil society or the socioeconomic development sector, you have probably heard, or used, the term “community ownership” because it aligns with broader goals of promoting social equity, empowering local communities and sustainable development. Community ownership goes beyond passive involvement or consultation and aims to empower communities to actively participate in decision-making and take responsibility for outcomes. In principle, civil society organisations and development experts use this term to describe communities with a significant degree of control and influence over projects, initiatives, or resources that directly affect them. The principle underpinning “community ownership” is that people from within a community are more adept at articulating the barriers and enablers to their own development than technical experts from outside. In this Nourish & Flourish podcast, we talk about barriers and enablers of community ownership. We speak to Sinazo Nkwelo, Director of DGMT’s Place-based Synergies portfolio. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/community-ownership-is-not-a-means-to-an-end to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Communications tools & active citizenry 28:34

for 2 years siden28:34

28:34

Many civil society organisations (CSOs) have placed promoting active citizenry at the core of their strategies. Generally speaking, active citizenry refers to individuals participating in the social and political affairs of their communities to promote equity and inclusion, improve living conditions and hold elected officials accountable. The role of civil society organisations in building an engaged citizenry should not be understated. They play a crucial role by creating platforms, providing resources, and fostering an enabling environment for individuals to engage in civic and social activities. By harnessing the power of communications tools, active citizenry can be promoted effectively by increasing awareness, facilitating dialogue, mobilising individuals, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility and participation. In this Best Bites podcast, we are talking about communications tools for promoting active citizenry. We speak to two people who are involved in digital advocacy and network building in civil society: Zamayirha Peter, Communications Manager atACTIVATE! Change Drivers, and Emma O’Shaughnessy, Project Lead of Amplify, Mobilise, Change. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/communications-tools-active-citizenry to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

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The Learning Lunch - Disrupting harmful gender norms with role models 30:50

for 2 years siden30:50

30:50

Gender norms are shared beliefs, ideas and expectations about how men and women are supposed to be and act, according to a classification system that categorises people as either male or female, known as a gender binary. These social principles are internalised from a young age and can shape people’s livelihoods and life chances by giving boys and men the advantage over girls, women and other genders. Gender norms are not static; they vary according to culture and can change over time. But harmful norms that perpetuate inequality and discrimination persist, impacting people’s access to healthcare, education, employment and other economic opportunities. Harmful gender norms also perpetuate power asymmetries between men and women, manifesting in different forms of gender-based violence (GBV). In South Africa, and the rest of the world, harmful gender norms and discrimination are considered to be key drivers of gender-based violence. This is why comprehensive strategies aimed at preventing GBV also seek to reshape gender norms in a positive way. Disrupting harmful gender norms requires strategies and programmes that challenge inequalities. It involves rethinking gender hierarchies, roles and binaries while questioning the root causes of inequality and systems of oppression. It must start early in homes, schools and communities. Although parents play a big role in enforcing or disrupting gender norms, adolescents are also heavily influenced by their peers. This is why we need to embed positive norms early in a child’s life in educational spaces. Outside the home, schools are spaces for socialisation and personal growth where young people are exposed to role models. In this Deep Dive podcast, we look at ways to entrench positive norms from a young age, starting from children attending creches to young adolescents in school. We speak to Lindokuhle Msele, Project Lead at Bumb’Ingomso; Kwanda Ndoda, innovation manager at DGMT, AND Wessel Van Der Berg, MenCare Officer at Equimundo. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/disrupting-harmful-gender-norms-with-role-models to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

The DGMT Learning Lunch

1
The Learning Lunch - What does it mean to scale? 28:56

for 2 years siden28:56

28:56

Civil society organisations and innovators are rightly concerned with scaling their interventions to reach more people. In the socioeconomic development sector, terms like scaling up , out and deep are commonplace. But depending on who you speak to you may get a nuanced interpretation of each term. For instance, ‘scaling up’ typically refers to output, but it could also mean impacting laws and policies. ‘Scaling out’ generally refers to replicating projects in different settings, in so doing impacting a greater number of people. And, the term ‘scaling deep’ refers to the quality of the intervention or its rootedness in culture and practices. Clearly, experts have varying opinions on the topic. Lately, researchers supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) are questioning our inherent assumptions about scaling, and are forcing us to think about whether ‘bigger is always better’. Their approach known as ‘Scaling Science’ is understood as a justified and coordinated focus on impact at optimal scale, and it may already be part of your work in one way or another. There are different ways to think about scale and it’s useful to think about the topic with a specific real-world challenge in mind. The food system is an ideal example. We all need nutritious food to live healthy lives so it stands to reason that the topic of scale and food are inextricably linked. But the global network of diverse businesses, growers and suppliers has scaled in such a way that it’s had negative consequences for people and the environment. More than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to the way we produce, process and package foods, according to a study backed by the United Nations. In this Best Bites podcast, we explore different ways to scale by looking at interventions to promote sustainable food systems. We speak to Scott Drimie who has been part of the leadership collective of the Southern Africa Food Lab since its inception and is also an adjunct professor at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Global Health. Visit www.dgmt.co.za/what-does-it-mean-to-scale to read more and access the takeaway instructions. The Learning Lunch podcast features three types of episodes: Deep Dives; Nourish & Flourish; and Best Bites. Each podcast/learning lunch session is structured as follows: The Main Meal - A ±30-minute podcast The Takeaways - Instructions for a ±30-minute group reflection based on what you listened to. To learn more about the work that we do, go to www.dgmt.co.za…

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