Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

04/09/2026

Featured Organisations: YearBeyond and Umthombo Wempilo

Year Beyond is a national Youth Service partnership creating pathways for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to enter the economy and build more equitable futures. A key insight from the Youth Development Innovation Review is that when young people are trusted with responsibility and given a sense of purpose, they are catalysed to do more, for themselves and for their communities. This is an important reminder that when we move from 'doing for young people' to 'creating space for young people to do', we unlock agency, purpose and possibility.

Umthombo Wempilo is a community development NPO working in underserved communities with a focus on youth empowerment and health programmes. One of their key findings is that psychosocial support, education and healthcare cannot be treated as separate needs. When these areas are integrated, young people are better supported to navigate the challenges they face and reach their full potential. This highlights an important lesson for youth development: young people’s wellbeing, learning and future opportunities are deeply interconnected.

This concludes our deep dive into organisations featured in the Youth Development Innovation Review. Overall we found that if we want to create meaningful and lasting impact in the youth development space, we need approaches that support the whole young person, not just one part of their journey. If you haven't already, read the youth mailer and review here: https://uct.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/aHLiLbDJyOuFtW63/tLSliCMwssBquO0D?fbclid=IwY2xjawUHhFJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXhRRUJiTlFYME5ucTl3NWNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEePS9814tfQeSrDK0cXFWxEKTtlAQxQw2VER8MFVJW4taURqXS6-mKaUpCM0A_aem_gTWUNYU-g28FarA09aozMg

02/09/2026

Featured Organisations: SOS Children's Villages South Africa and Think Ahead Transformation Academy (TATA)

SOS Children's Villages works to ensure that children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, have the support they need to grow into their strongest selves. SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa enables children to grow in a caring family environment through 11 programmes across eight provinces around South Africa. One key insight from the Youth Development Innovation Review is that while external priorities can shape programmes, meaningful youth development starts with listening to and responding to the realities of young people and their communities.

TATA is a youth empowerment and education organisation supporting learners as they transition from secondary school into tertiary education and entrepreneurship. Their work focuses on equipping South Africa’s youth with the critical thinking, mindset, knowledge and practical skills they need to navigate their futures and achieve long-term success. A key insight from their work is that young people need more than information about career options, they need trusted relationships that can help them make informed decisions, build confidence and navigate the journey ahead.

To learn more about the Youth Development Innovation Review and other work from the Bertha Centre’s Youth Portfolio, read the newsletter here:
https://uct.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/aHLiLbDJyOuFtW63/tLSliCMwssBquO0D?fbclid=IwY2xjawUFHRJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWN3dHpxSGk4R1pqSkl6UGlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYIZ3eiAjvcNQ5qU7kxovHa4WStIsxp6GtzeVzZVPFIcAJrKpDuRihI-0uXE_aem_lPFp21Ukg5zMBULcIJhLNA

02/09/2026

The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Cape Town, with support and partnership from NORRAG, participated in the 10th East Africa Philanthropy Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 2026, as part of the Innovative Financing for Education to Leave No One Behind (IFE-2-LNOB) project, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Representing the Bertha Centre, Dr Hillary Jephat Musarurwa facilitated a technical session on Governance and Equity Guardrails in Innovative Finance Structures. The session translated lessons from the IFE-2-LNOB research into practical discussions on governance, risk, accountability and beneficiary protection in innovative financing.

Read more about the session and key lessons on the NORRAG website here: https://bit.ly/4qNRGEp

The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the University of Cape Town contributed its learnings from ongoing research on innovative financing for education (IFE) to the 10th East Africa Philanthropy Conference, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 16 and 19 June 2026. This confer...

01/09/2026

“Changing the way we are changing the world.”

And just like that… one week to go!

Six months ago, these young health entrepreneurs walked through our doors with ideas, questions and big dreams. Today, they’re walking into their final week with new skills, growing ventures, stronger confidence and an even bigger vision for the change they want to create.

Hearing them shout our words back at us is one of those little moments that reminds us just how far they’ve come. 🥹✨

We’re so proud of this cohort and everything they’ve poured into the journey.

One more week. Let’s finish strong! 🚀

26/08/2026

Featured Organisations: Mintor and Pedal for Good

Mintor is a chatbot platform helping businesses and non-profit organisations simplify recruitment, training, and a range of other HR tasks. By integrating seamlessly with apps that organisations already use, Mintor makes HR support more accessible, particularly in marginalised and developing communities. As highlighted in the Youth Development Innovation Review, the solution you need may already exist. Sometimes, innovation is about finding a better use for the tools and resources already in people’s hands.

Pedal for Good builds school-based cycling programmes that support youth mental health in underserved communities. Through the power of mountain biking, they create supportive spaces where children facing mental health challenges can build confidence, connection, and resilience. One key insight stood out: everyday tools can become powerful pathways for healing. Sometimes, innovation isn’t about creating something entirely new. It’s about reimagining what we already have and finding new ways for it to make a difference.

To learn more about the Youth Development Innovation Review and other work from the Bertha Centre’s Youth Portfolio, read the newsletter here:
https://uct.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/aHLiLbDJyOuFtW63/tLSliCMwssBquO0D

20/08/2026

Featured Organisations: Maths Centre Incorporating Sciences and Leratong Community Hub

Maths Centre Incorporating Sciences is a non-profit organisation at the forefront of ensuring the importance of mathematics, science, technology, and entrepreneurship in education. The organisation challenges and inspires learners to think deeply, ask questions, and explore the world around them. As highlighted in the Youth Development Innovation Review, young people need learning environments that empower them to learn, grow, innovate, and succeed. Creating these environments is not only about education, it’s about inspiring the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, innovators, and changemakers.

Leratong Community Hub is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering South African communities through education and skills development. Their work focuses on creating opportunities for young people and marginalised communities to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to shape a better future. One of the key lessons from their work is that when young people feel connected, supported, and valued, they begin to see greater possibilities for themselves and their communities. Investing in young people is not just about creating opportunities, it is about creating belonging, hope, and pathways to meaningful change.

To find out more about the Youth Development Innovation Review and other work from Bertha Centre’s Youth Portfolio, read the newsletter here:
https://uct.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/aHLiLbDJyOuFtW63/tLSliCMwssBquO0D

20/08/2026

Join Our Mentor & Advisor Network

Being a mentor or advisor is not just about giving your time or sharing your expertise. It is an opportunity to sharpen your own leadership, stay close to new ideas, learn from emerging entrepreneurs, and build a network of founders and peers you may not otherwise meet.

The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship is growing our network of mentors and advisors, and we are looking for professionals across industries and career stages to support social entrepreneurs, from their first idea through to scaling their ventures.

Whether you can offer guidance on strategy, finance, marketing, operations, leadership, fundraising, or navigating the challenges of building a purpose-driven business, your experience can make a meaningful difference.

If you have experience, expertise or insights to share? We’d love to hear from you.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/46bnjhI
Application deadline: 4 September 2026

19/08/2026

Globally, the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is increasingly recognised as a catalyst for inclusive economic development, decent work, local economic resilience and social cohesion. In South Africa, it also presents a unique opportunity to help renew and strengthen our social compact.

This symposium will bring together Social and Solidarity Economy practitioners, policymakers, government departments, Parliament, academia, organised labour, civil society organisations, development partners, financial institutions, philanthropic funders and private sector leaders to help shape the next chapter of South Africa's SSE journey.

Date: 27 August 2026
Venue: University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus (In-person) & Online via Zoom Webinar
🔗 Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xy0Rp_imR76HviKzwZYZmg

Convened by Catalyst Now - South Africa, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg College of Business and Economics, Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UCT), African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN), KASI CATALYST, Vanhu Tech, and Youth Capital.

19/08/2026

Featured Organisations: Girls Mission Camps and Kulisha Consulting

Girls Mission Camps creates outdoor experiential learning where young girls can discover what’s possible—and believe in a future they can shape. The Youth Development Innovation Review highlights a powerful insight: when girls are placed in spaces of possibility, they are inspired to achieve more. The goal is bigger than the camp itself—to equip young girls to pursue education, access decent work, and contribute to more gender-equal communities.

Kulisha Consulting is an implementation agency with expertise in enterprise development and training. They partner with high-impact organisations to translate strategic intent into real-world delivery with people at the centre. Their key insight is simple but powerful: Young people don’t experience challenges in isolation because everything is interconnected. Therefore, real impact happens when we stop working in silos and start building systems that work together.

To find out more about the Youth Development Innovation Review and other work from Bertha Centre’s Youth Portfolio, read the newsletter here:
https://uct.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/aHLiLbDJyOuFtW63/tLSliCMwssBquO0D

14/08/2026

Featured Organisations: Funda Nathi Foundation and Chrysalis Academy, Tokai

Funda Nathi Foundation is creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and express their potential through their focus on educational support and arts and culture. In the Youth Development Innovation Review, they share a powerful reflection on sustainability and purpose. Funda Nathi has never applied for funding, choosing instead to grow organically and remain grounded in its mission. Their story challenges conventional ideas of success and reminds us that meaningful impact is not always measured by scale, but by staying true to the communities and values that drive the work.

The Chrysalis Academy is a leadership development organisation as well as a social crime prevention initiative, that works creatively with young people. At the heart of their approach is a belief that healing trauma, rebuilding self-worth and restoring hope are the foundations for meaningful transformation. They see the unique potential in every young person and provide the encouragement, support and opportunities needed to unlock it. Through this work, young people are empowered to become agents of positive change—in their communities, their workplaces and beyond.

To find out more about the Youth Development Innovation Review and other work from Bertha Centre’s Youth Portfolio, read the newsletter here: https://uct.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/aHLiLbDJyOuFtW63/tLSliCMwssBquO0D