Social Innovation: The children of South Africa

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My fellow Steemians!

When I got invited by @waqarahmadshah to participate in this contest, I got very excited as children are close to my heart. "I am proudly wearing my green ribbon!"

For this contest, we are taking a closer look at:

1. Social challenges for children
2. Social innovations for children
3. My ideas

It doesn’t matter in which country you are; there are always social challenges that relate to unemployment, poverty, education, racism, discrimination, woman and child abuse, crime, housing, malnutrition, and more.

The acts and helping hands we lend as individuals, communities, and countries to help solve social challenges are called "social innovation."

Background

My mother was a day mother at an orphanage for many years. She chose it over going to university to further her education. All she wanted to do was help children. The orphanage, or children’s home, as I prefer to call it, Abraham Kriel Kinderhuis, opened its doors in 1902 after the Anglo-Boer War left more than 12,000 children homeless. Numerous children’s homes were opened, including one in the town where I was born, Pochefstroom.

For my mother, children were everything, and for years she gave numerous children the love they so needed. It was her belief that no child should go hungry, sleep in the cold, or not get a proper education.

This is where I want to standstill today, with the children of my beloved country and the social challenges we face in South Africa.

"Children, the joy of our lives!"

1. Social challenges for children

As with anything in life, the most affected children are those who come from poor or disadvantageous homes. These homes can normally be found in townships. A township is a designated area that has not yet been fully developed and has unpaved roads, no water on tap, limited public toilets, and other infrastructure. The problem is that these areas grow so fast that there is not enough room in the schools for the children and no time to erect the required infrastructure like hospitals and clinics.

Of the +/- 66 million South Africans, one third are children, of whom 62% fall under the bracket "poor." What is even more shocking are the educational statistics.

The, Mail & Guardian of April 20, 2023shares the following statistics:

‣ 63.9% aged 15-24 are unemployed
‣ 11.3 million children are in school, of which 9 million are fed by the government
‣ 20% of the public schools are operating according to standards
‣ 69.9% of schools don’t have a library
‣ 80.7% of schools don’t have access to laboratories
‣ 18% of learners under the age of ten cannot read

Earlier this year, there was a problem at the schools in the province where I am living, KwaZulu-Natal, regarding the delivery of food parcels. Hungry children had to be sent home.

"We let them all go at 1.30. Some of these children come to school not having had anything to eat. School is their only hope for a meal… there is nothing to eat. We really don’t know what to do." Words from an anonymous teacher. Read more

Section 28 of the Bill of Rights gives children in South Africa the following:

• The right to family care, love, and protection
• The right to a clean environment
• A right to food
• A right to quality education
• A right to quality medical care
• A right to protection from abuse

If we cannot provide our children with love, a clean environment, food, proper education, medical care, and protection, how can we expect to build a nation? It can only lead to crime and… disaster.

It is a disgrace to hear time and time again on the news about children that fell into a pit toilet at school, teachers that are not getting paid, school books that are not being delivered, children sitting on the floor as there is no other space for them in the classroom, and children that could not study for their final school exams due to no electricity.

2. Social innovations for children

Professor Daniel Isenberg of Harvard Business School and Babson College classifies social innovation into six categories.

1. People
2. Markets
3. Policies
4. Culture
5. Finance
6. Infrastructure

1. People: The people of South Africa are hungry for change. We see South Africans rolling up their sleeves and getting involved. One of these events is Nelson Mandela Day, which is coming up on July 18. On this day, 67 minutes of their time are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. In South Africa, millions dedicate their time to the children, handing out food parcels, fixing and painting school buildings, etc.

2. Markets: The what, the why, and the how. It is through market research and the publishing of data like what I shared earlier in the post that awareness is created that can still meet the needs of children.

It is through the market-based innovation of various children's foundations like the Bernard van Leer Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Foundation that we are securing a future for children, from ideas to acting.

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3. Policies: The most important sector in social innovation as far as children are concerned is the government.

In the Constitution of South Africa and the Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005), the rights of children are a priority.
The government implemented the "first call for children".

Our government has implemented various measures, policies, incentives, and programs to assist with social innovation.

One of these is Child Protection Week, which runs from May 28 to June 4 this week. It is a call to the nation to wear a green ribbon.

4. Culture: Children need change! Early transformation in the culture of children is a must. "Ilifa Labantwana" is an example of an innovation edge that is changing the culture of children in South Africa. What they do is take potential innovative ideas regarding learning, evaluate these ideas, and finalize a strategy. The ideas include smart phone applications, the use of tablets at school, and even blockchain technology.

"Ilifa Labantwana" means "children’s heritage." It is only through our heritage or culture, modern technology, and new trends that we will see changes in the lives and behaviors of children.

5. Finance: Social innovation in financing comes in various forms: funds, donations, etc.
The Impact Bond Innovation Fund (IBIF) is a good example of what can be done to help the children of South Africa. They improved the socio-emotional development of more than 3,000 poor children ages 3–5 through funds raised between the public and private sectors.

Some of the foundations and projects are appealing for help from South Africans.

• The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation: For Youth Development in South Africa, a foundation launched by our President

• The Colab Foundation: Helps vulnerable children, especially those living in the poorest of communities, through education.

• Save the Children: Changing the lives of children through education and health

• Read to Rise: Inspiring the children of South Africa to read

Earlier this year, on March 30, South Africa’s Department of Basic Education and the World Bank launched the Public Expenditure and Institutional Review (PEIR) for Early Childhood Development with the aim of raising funds for the funding of early education and reducing malnutrition.

6. Infrastructure: There is no doubt that good infrastructure like energy, water, transport, waste management, and telecommunications is needed to encourage children to attend school.

In June 2021, the National Infrastructure Plan 2050 was introduced in parliament and accepted. This plan outlines the strategic vision and steps that need to be taken to improve infrastructure. The focus of the plan is on student housing in higher education, preschool education, and the improvement of training facilities.

3. My ideas

We have seen that in South Africa, social challenges and social innovations, as far as the children of South Africa are concerned, do exist. However, it seems that the two don’t "gel" together, or should I rather say that one side doesn’t know what the other side is doing? Even better, there are “too many cooks in the kitchen.”

In my opinion, there are two ways to deal with the situation;

1. Speak to our children
2. Regulating

Speak to our children

We need to address the word "poverty" in the simplest manner, starting with the smallest of children. We should tell them that it is when Daddy and Mommy don’t have enough money to buy you nice clothes, food to eat, and a warm bed to sleep in. We also need to answer their questions.

I do believe that children are not stupid, and changes can happen at a very young age, and if we educate the children, we will see many joining the fight against poverty. It will make them eager to do so much more with what they have. They can become the next sports stars, successful entrepreneurs, and leaders of the country.

Regulating

There are so many NGOs, foundations, plans, etc. in place, but there is no governing body monitoring the plans, processes, and outcomes.

An ACT is a law; regulations and rules are the principles of law. If we don’t have regulations in place, we cannot flourish. Through a central database, ALL foundations, plans, and fundraising must be registered, monitored, and made available to the public.

When it comes to children, people are not shy about putting their hands in their pockets, but due to the high level of corruption, they have also become very dubious about donating. It is time to let the people of South Africa decide where they want to donate their money.

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” – John F. Kennedy

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