Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
76 episodes
9 months ago
The Just for a Change podcast is back with a brand new season to provoke and inspire!
Presenting Season 4 of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship which explores the theme “The Power of Connections”.
The pursuit of social justice requires the effort of many, and in the work that the Bertha Centre does we have seen powerful intersections driving society towards positive change.
In this new season, discussions with social entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders and activists spotlight the unexpected connections, surprising overlaps, and unusual alignments in the work being done locally and globally to uplift and empower our society. Topics range from getting a second chance at finishing high school, to research into recycling waste for agriculture, and the role representation plays in empowering communities.
Among our guests are social entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, grassroots organisations, NPOs, impact investors, start-up founders with real stories of personal triumph and innovative problem-solving.
Our podcast host Ntombini Marrengane, Bertha Centre’s Senior Manager, is an urban researcher and international development specialist.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Be inspired by stories of people driving our world forward towards social justice. If you’re curious about a better world for all and the solutions being put forward to combat today’s biggest challenges, then this podcast is for you!
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The Just for a Change podcast is back with a brand new season to provoke and inspire!
Presenting Season 4 of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship which explores the theme “The Power of Connections”.
The pursuit of social justice requires the effort of many, and in the work that the Bertha Centre does we have seen powerful intersections driving society towards positive change.
In this new season, discussions with social entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders and activists spotlight the unexpected connections, surprising overlaps, and unusual alignments in the work being done locally and globally to uplift and empower our society. Topics range from getting a second chance at finishing high school, to research into recycling waste for agriculture, and the role representation plays in empowering communities.
Among our guests are social entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, grassroots organisations, NPOs, impact investors, start-up founders with real stories of personal triumph and innovative problem-solving.
Our podcast host Ntombini Marrengane, Bertha Centre’s Senior Manager, is an urban researcher and international development specialist.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Be inspired by stories of people driving our world forward towards social justice. If you’re curious about a better world for all and the solutions being put forward to combat today’s biggest challenges, then this podcast is for you!
What’s your favourite song? And do you remember the first book you read that you could personally relate to? Stories are powerful and are how we’ve connected with each other for millennia. The forms of storytelling may vary, but the impact doesn’t change.
Our guest for this episode, award-winning author Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni, knows the power of storytelling firsthand. With a Master's in Politics, she discovered children’s stories as a way to reach the younger generation with important messages of affirmation and inclusivity. Her most well-known children’s book, Wanda, is about a young girl learning to love her natural hair and embrace who she is.
We also hear from Sivuyile Mtwetwe, a young entrepreneur who participated in the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and UCT’s Solution Space Changemaker Programme, a social entrepreneur who shares why he decided to create a prototype hair product made from local African ingredients.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Did you know that in 2021 about 2.1 million, or 11,6%, of South African households reported experiencing hunger? Food insecurity remains a major social justice issue in South Africa due to the country’s history of inequality. What if vulnerable communities could relearn the lost art of cultivating and growing their own food again?
Our guest for this episode, Renschia Manuel, founder of GrowBox Nursery, is showing local communities how to do just that, even in small spaces. Renschia has her own story of food insecurity and shares how she went from being unemployed to running a successful social enterprise which helps others gain food sovereignty. We also hear from Nicole Paganini, Programme Lead at Urban Food Futures, whose work in the area of food security has a special focus on women and children. She shares her thoughts on transforming food systems.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
In South Africa in 2023, only 55% of the learners who had started school in 2012 finished grade 12. Let that sink in. That’s only just more than half. What kind of future are early school leavers facing in a country where the unemployment rate is already at 32.9%? Could there be a solution? With more support and another go at writing their matric exams, are young people given a better opportunity to succeed? Our guest on this episode, Sandiswa Gwele, seems to think so. She would know – she didn’t get her matric the first time either.
Sandiswa is an entrepreneur and founder of Ukhanyo Foundation, an NPO that offers learners a second chance at finishing grade 12. The Ukhanyo Foundation offers academic support in the form of classes at Philippi Village, as well as personal development sessions and parenting dialogues. It really does take a village to help a learner pass matric. We also hear from Ntsiki Sackey, Marketing and Communications Officer at the Solution Space at UCT’s Graduate School of Business, who highlights the importance of innovative and entrepreneurial development programmes.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Most of us have heard the words Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Depending on what you think of these advances in technology, these words could strike fear or delight in your heart. Or perhaps you’re still on the fence about this one. But what if these advances in technology could do more than write a paragraph for you or create a fake photo?
In this episode, Tebogo Mokwele, an alumnus of the e-Track Programme for high-impact entrepreneurs launched by the UCT Graduate School of Business’s Solution Space, is a social entrepreneur who has identified some incredible opportunities in this field for closing the gap in the area of on-the-job training and skills development. Someone else who is interested in Virtual Reality is Dr Jason Van Staden, Project Manager of Research and Training in the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Innovative Finance portfolio. Jason comments on how Virtual Reality technology is being used in innovative finance to lower the barriers to entry for the underbanked in Africa.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
According to the World Economic Forum, 35% of global crop production happens because of bees. Without these insects, you wouldn't have some of your favourite foods. Unfortunately, bees are at risk of extinction because of harmful pesticides and behaviours such as smoking them out because they are still thought of as pests. So, how can we all live harmoniously with bees and make sure we preserve them for our ecosystems and food security? And can we harness bees as an economic growth opportunity in underserved communities?
A social entrepreneur and co-founder of Local Village Africa, Mmabatho Portia Morudi, has some great ideas on this front. She has developed several successful projects that not only preserve bee colonies but are also transforming local communities. Another agricultural project bringing economic and social benefits to an “under-resourced” community in Cape Town is the Amaqanda Learning Garden in Philippi. We spoke to Esethu Mbooi, who has some insights on how we can take care of the land so that it takes care of us in return, one garden at a time.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
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Imagine a world where quality healthcare services are available to all, and where technology enables and enhances access. Where those living in rural areas can access the same healthcare services as those in urban areas. SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service Trust (AMS), a non-profit aero-medical rescue organisation working in partnership with the Provincial Departments of Health in South Africa, is playing its part to make this a reality.
This episode explores bringing healthcare to those most affected by geographic and economic disparities with the CEO of AMS, Farhaad Haffajee. Amongst other things, AMS runs a project called Outreach Healthcare to remote rural communities, taking health expertise to rural areas so that those seeking healthcare are diagnosed earlier and receive proper healthcare sooner. We also hear from Francesca Lanzarotti of the Reach Alliance research team that is investigating maternal healthcare and access for women with disabilities in Nepal. These everyday heroes are changing the landscape of healthcare and access for some of the most vulnerable communities both locally and globally.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Research shows that women in the Global South depend on public transport more than men and are more likely to travel with children or the elderly - but what is the impact of rising temperatures on these commuters? Climate change and increasingly hot days can expose commuters to unpleasant, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions. So what can be done to mitigate these climate-related health risks? And how do the various role players get involved? Well, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is leading the charge when it comes to understanding the impacts of climate change on commuters.
In this episode of the Just For A Change podcast, Dr Thandi Kapwata from the SAMRC unpacks their findings with podcast host Ntombini Marrengane. The Bertha Centre's Gillian Vedan also shares how innovation is needed to combat the health risks of climate change, such as food insecurity and disease vectors – another unexpected connection between transport, public health and climate justice.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Did you know that the informal business sector in South Africa is valued at about 6 Billion Rand? Even so, the financial sector struggles to gain insight into this part of the economy. Financial inclusion for small businesses is still a struggle. Something as seemingly simple as having full access to the banking system is still a challenge for many in the informal business sector. Imagine trying to run a business without access to capital. How would you manage cash flow if you aren’t able to access funds when you most need them? Access to finance is essential, if we are ever going to be a society that strives for inclusion and economic equality.
In this episode, we hear from Phumza Matwele, founder of Eunimike Trading, an over-the-counter pharmacy and healthcare centre in Khayelitsha, on how her business has benefited from seed capital, as well as from serial entrepreneur and finance innovator, Prince Nwadeyi. This insightful conversation shows how new approaches to financing, especially in the informal business sector, open doors to economic opportunities and growth in the most mind-blowing ways.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Climate change is undoubtedly affecting us all, from excessive heat to below-normal winter temperatures. Studies show that climate change is increasingly impacting human health, with marginalised and “under” resourced communities the most at risk for negative climate change impacts. The World Bank data states that a warmer climate could lead to at least 21 million additional deaths by 2050 from just five health risks: extreme heat, stunting, diarrhoea, malaria, and dengue. What are the links between climate change and health? Who is the most at risk when it comes to these challenges, and most importantly, how do we plan for and mitigate these risks? Access to decent healthcare is a social and climate justice issue that affects millions around the world.
In this episode of the Just for a Change podcast, Katusha de Villiers, Senior Project Manager at the Bertha Centre shares some new developments on the horizon in the health space that aim to provide solutions as the climate becomes more unstable. Dr Don Mathanga, Malawi Director at the Social Innovation in Health Initiative, adds his expertise to the conversation, sharing both the challenges and opportunities he’s seeing in the realm of healthcare and climate change.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice.. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Did you know that human waste can be used as fertiliser for farming? That’s right. Your body waste consists of nutrients that can help grow food. Urine contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus – all found in fertilisers. How we get rid of human waste today can be harmful to the environment. It eventually makes its way to the ocean and threatens ecosystems. But what if there was a way to recycle urine? ‘Peecycling’, if you will. A system of waterless toilets or dry sanitation is being developed to collect human waste separately to effectively use in growing plants locally and abroad. Not only is all this possible, but it’s also a way to empower communities.
Liquid Gold Africa is one such company that is empowering rural communities in KwaZulu Natal. Hear more in this episode from Liquid Gold Africa founder, Orion Herman, as well as from others doing this work, among them the University of Cape Town's Dr Caitlin Courtney.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
What’s the difference between hunger and malnutrition and is the secret to ending world hunger hidden in the answer to this question?
Professor Gisela Solymos is a change maker who has dedicated her life’s work to alleviating hunger and malnutrition. With a background in psychology, her work also focuses on dealing with the associated psychological issues with going hungry. She chats to our host, Ntombini Marrengane in this riveting season finale episode of the ‘Just for a change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship’.
This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss any others.
Links you should know about:
GSB Bertha Centre: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/about-us/
Gisela Solymos: https://www.ashoka.org/en-za/fellow/gisela-solymos
Action Against Hunger: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/the-hunger-crisis/world-hunger-facts/
Catalyst 2030: https://catalyst2030.net/equity-for-women-social-entrepreneurs/
CREN website: https://www.cren.org.br/atuacao/
With world hunger being such an overwhelming problem, how do we even begin to solve it?
In episode 12 of the Just for a Change podcast we hear from a change-maker and innovator, who is dealing with hunger, undernutrition and malnutrition in ingenious new ways.
Her name is Professor Gisela Solymos and her story will leave you inspired and empowered to make a difference.
If you’re crying out for for change, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss this episode!
Why are child-friendly mental health services in under-resourced communities so important and what impact can they have?
Building protective relationships, identifying emotions, learning how to self soothe and have a positive future vision are some of the main things Waves for Change teaches kids through surf therapy. Waves For Change partnerships and innovation manager and Bertha MPhil Scholar, Ashleigh Heese, joins our host, Ntombini Marrengane for an enlightening and moving conversation about the waves of change their work is making in many communities.
Get on board by making sure to subscribe to the ‘Just for a change’ podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ so you don't miss an episode!
Links you should know about:
GSB Bertha Centre: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/about-us/
List of affordable and free counselling services: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q_x6BXwJLHwDDCG678yTYVVLG0QVss9e/view
Waves For Change: https://waves-for-change.org/
Ashleigh Heese: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/about-us/team/ashleigh-heese/
Psychosocial Centre: https://pscentre.org/what-we-do/
Waves For Change Testimonials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY5lwHOUhCo
Bertha Centre’s Psychosocial campaign: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/catalysing/psychosocial-campaign/
How important is psychosocial support for the young people of South Africa? Are there ways to make it more accessible, dynamic and innovative?
In this inspiring episode of the ‘Just for a change’ podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, our host Ntombini Marrengane chats to change-maker and innovator, Ashleigh Heese. With Waves for Change, they are creating space for the improvement of children’s mental health in some of South Africa’s most under-resourced communities through Surf Therapy.
If you’re asking how surfing can impact young minds and ultimately change lives, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss this episode!
Can profit and purpose co-exist in the world of funding and finance? What is the future of impact investing in Africa?
Guest hosts, Shiluba Mawela & Daniel Steenkamp have a thought-provoking conversation on this complex topic with panelists, Andia Chakava, Ndumiso Hadebe & Mandy Jayakody ahead of The Africa Impact Summit. The world of innovative financing is demystified in this not-to-be-missed episode of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Make sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss an episode!
Links you should know about:
Sign up for the Africa Impact Summit: https://africaimpactsummit.org/
https://www.tshiamoimpact.com/
GSB Bertha Centre: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/about-us/
AVPA: https://avpa.africa/about-us/
Shiluba Mawela: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiluba-mawela/?originalSubdomain=za
Daniel Steenkamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-steenkamp/
Mandy Jayakody: https://za.linkedin.com/in/mandy-jayakody-72a0b260
Ndumiso Hadebe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndumiso-hadebe-mba-0a803798/
Andia Chakava: https://ke.linkedin.com/in/andia-laura-chakava-48422328
What does impact investing look like in Africa?
It’s not just a buzz word in the world of innovative finance but a multi-layered solution for sustainable economic development across the continent. In this episode of the Just for a change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, guest hosts, Shiluba Mawela & Daniel Steenkamp explore impact investing from a variety of viewpoints. They are joined by a panel of experts ahead of The Africa Impact Summit where they will continue this important conversation.
Click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss this episode!
In light of the energy crisis, how can South Africa ‘go green’ without leaving the vulnerable members of society behind?
Our ‘power problem’ promises to only get worse if big changes aren’t made soon.
The change-maker Ntombini speaks to in this episode is no stranger to energy transition, green economy, and urban African energy issues. Professor Josephine Musango joins us to unpack how we got here, innovative solutions coming to the fore and how South Africans can do their part.
Make sure to subscribe to the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, so you don't miss an episode!
Links you should know about:
Bertha Centre: https://www.gsb.uct.ac.za/berthacentre
Newsletters: http://bit.ly/40Op6oj
Ntombini Marrengane: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/about-us/team/ntombini-marrengane/
Josephine Musango: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://gsbmarvin.uct.ac.za/Contact/CVs/Josephine%2520Musango%2520CV%25202022.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1682518517071754&usg=AOvVaw1Z4NmCU64W9nGb3fz24WdN
iShack Project: https://www.ishackproject.co.za/
Zonke Energy: https://zonkeenergy.com/about-us/
Pay Gas: https://paygas.africa/
With the worsening energy crisis in South Africa and Africa, how will we keep the lights on now and in the years to come? If the solution is creating a ‘green economy’ and ‘just energy transition’, how do we make sure everyone reaps the benefits?
In this episode of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Ntombini is joined by professor Josephine Musango to shine a light on the layers of this crucial topic. Click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss this episode!
Did you know that many problems facing the world today are interconnected - and the solutions to these problems are therefore interconnected as well?
This is where the lens of systems change becomes very important in creating shifts that last. A systems change advocate, our current podcast host and senior manager at the Bertha Centre, Ntombini Marrengane is the special guest in today’s episode. Guest podcast host, Kentse Radebe, chats with her about how this multi-layered topic in episode 8 of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Make sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss an episode!
Links you should know about:
Bertha Centre: https://www.gsb.uct.ac.za/berthacentre
Newsletters: http://bit.ly/40Op6oj
Ntombini Marrengane: https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/about-us/team/ntombini-marrengane/
Wicked Problems: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/wicked-problem/about/What-is-a-wicked-problem
In Search of Land and Housing in the New South Africa: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/9ac8d1a5-57a2-543e-83f6-6b0a0c54c7e4
How does adopting a systems lens lead to better, more sustained and systemic change? The answer is complex but getting more important in the world we live in today.
In this episode of season 3 of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship guest host, Kentse Radebe, has a conversation with change-maker, Ntombini Marrengane. Ntombini has been the season 3 host of this podcast and in this episode, she’s on the other side of the mic so you don’t want to miss this one!
Click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss this episode!
The Just for a Change podcast is back with a brand new season to provoke and inspire!
Presenting Season 4 of the Just for a Change podcast powered by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship which explores the theme “The Power of Connections”.
The pursuit of social justice requires the effort of many, and in the work that the Bertha Centre does we have seen powerful intersections driving society towards positive change.
In this new season, discussions with social entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders and activists spotlight the unexpected connections, surprising overlaps, and unusual alignments in the work being done locally and globally to uplift and empower our society. Topics range from getting a second chance at finishing high school, to research into recycling waste for agriculture, and the role representation plays in empowering communities.
Among our guests are social entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, grassroots organisations, NPOs, impact investors, start-up founders with real stories of personal triumph and innovative problem-solving.
Our podcast host Ntombini Marrengane, Bertha Centre’s Senior Manager, is an urban researcher and international development specialist.
The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.
Be inspired by stories of people driving our world forward towards social justice. If you’re curious about a better world for all and the solutions being put forward to combat today’s biggest challenges, then this podcast is for you!
