Latest news with #Trialogue
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Monitoring and learning for impact, Vodacom calls for bold shift in CSI
As South Africa grapples with record unemployment, deepening inequality and a critical skills shortage, Vodacom is challenging the private sector to rethink its approach to social investment – by embedding monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) in core business functions, not just in social investment. Speaking at the 2025 Trialogue Business in Society Conference, Vodacom SA director of external affairs Takalani Netshitenzhe said impact was central to overcoming inequality. 'Only impact measurement can assist us to make sure we deal with inequality in our country,' said Netshitenzhe. The conference was held on 13 and 14 May at The Galleria in Sandton, Johannesburg under the theme 'Driving impact, inspiring change'. The Vodacom Foundation was one of six corporate sponsors who partnered with Trialogue to discuss pressing matters impacting the corporate social investment and development in South Africa. The foundation and Trialogue presented a panel discussion entitled 'Embedding a culture of monitoring, evaluation and learning to scale impact'. During the discussion, Netshitenzhe was critical of the traditional approach to corporate social investment, which entails 'paying lip service, writing a cheque, and walking away'. 'That's not partnership – it's outsourcing responsibility,' she stressed. She admitted that Vodacom itself was previously more focused on outputs – such as how many schools it had connected to the internet – rather than outcomes. As a result, its good intentions often went awry. 'When we donated routers and SIMS to schools and walked away, those routers often ended up in cupboards, or simply disappeared,' she said. 'If we're serious about addressing inequality and building a sustainable society, MEL must be embedded from the outset – not retrofitted once programmes are running.' The Vodacom SA executive was joined on the panel by Gcobani Zonke, the deputy president of nonprofit organisation (NPO) Ubuntu Pathways, and Dr Karen Kotschy, a research associate and freelance MEL consultant. Today, the telecommunications corporation places unemployed graduates from the Vodacom Youth Academy in some of the schools and NPOs it works with. Placing information technology technicians within schools has translated into a higher and more effective usage of the technological devices it places in the schools. Additionally, the company no longer counts how many social workers it deploys to schools, but how the psychosocial support impacts the well-being of children, teachers, parents and the broader community. To support this shift, Vodacom has established a dedicated MEL department – an unusual move in the corporate sector. 'Our MEL journey is still evolving, but we're gaining the trust of our partners and stakeholders. We're seeing the power of MEL to shape stronger, more accountable programmes,' Netshitenzhe said. Learning – a critical feature of MEL Dr Kotschy called for MEL practitioners to be positioned at the heart of strategic business and programme decision-making. 'MEL teams need to se themselves as more than just technical people doing their thing on the side – they must adopt an advocacy role,' she asserted. 'Relational and transformational skills are needed for this new approach to M&E.' She acknowledged that smaller NPOs may lack resources but urged them to start with simple reflection practices and build from there, adding: 'they should focus on the learning part of MEL first'. Zonke, who is based in Gqeberha, explained that communities were an integral part of their monitoring and learning practices. 'We build our indicators alongside the community, based on what teachers, nurses, and caregivers tell us really matters. We make sure voice of community is heard – we conduct caregiver satisfaction surveys and then integrate that data into our programmes.' He said the early childhood development teachers Ubuntu worked with didn't 'just collect developmental data – they co-design social and emotional indicators to assess the safety, attachment and wellbeing of the children'. Ubuntu's cradle-to-career model for vulnerable youth uses MEL not only for donor accountability but to adapt programmes in real time. 'We move and then we stop and evaluate. That way, you can see where you may have gone wrong. However, that's not failure – it's simply how we learn,' he pointed out. Netshitenzhe agreed that 'MEL allows us to accept that things don't always go according to plan', but any weaknesses provide an opportunity to 'do the right thing'. From data collection to strategic learning Netshitenzhe warned against last-minute data collation for ESG reports. 'When you rush to compile stats and nobody checks the numbers, you lose credibility. We've learned the hard way – you can't sign off what you can't verify,' she said. 'Now, we hold every unit accountable for the data they provide, and our auditors validate it before publication.' As South Africa moves toward large-scale social investments, such as the R100bn transformation fund, Vodacom argues that MEL needs to be embedded in such investments to ensure accountability. 'You can't wait for programmes to launch and then ask what the impact is,' said Netshitenzhe. 'You start with the problem, define the outcomes, and build MEL into the DNA of delivery.'
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Making a lasting impact: How data and corporate commitment can reshape ECDs in South Africa?
With nearly one million South African children still excluded from the early childhood development (ECD) ecosystem, urgent collaboration is needed to meet the country's 2030 early learning targets. An educator teaches young children as part of an early learning programme. Speaking at the 2025 Trialogue Business in Society Conference, FirstRand Group head of social investing, Kone Gugushe emphasised the pivotal role corporates can play in transforming early learning outcomes – calling for long-term, data-driven investment to help bridge the gap. The conference was held at The Galleria in Sandton, Johannesburg under the theme 'Driving impact, Inspiring change'. Strengthening ECD for lasting impact: a panel discussion at the Trialogue Business in Society Conference The FirstRand Foundation was one of six corporate sponsors who partnered with Trialogue to discuss pressing matters impacting the corporate social investment and development in South Africa. The Foundation and Trialogue presented a panel discussion entitled 'Strengthening early childhood development for lasting impact'. Kone Gugushe, head of social investing at FirstRand Group Gugushe was joined on the panel by Kulula Manona (head of the Chief Directorate on early childhood development in the Department of Basic Education [DBE]); Sonja Giese (executive director of DataDrive 2030); and Sizwe Nxasana (former FirstRand CEO and founder of Sifiso Learning Group). Prior to the panel discussion, Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, highlighted the need for sector collaboration to improve ECD outcomes in the country. FirstRand's two decades of impact in ECD FirstRand is a leader in the ECD space. It has supported more than 4,000 ECD centres over the past 20 years, affecting the lives of around 200,000 children. It has also trained more than 17,000 teachers. This long-term commitment has allowed it to tackle some of the more stubborn problems in the sector that shorter funding cycles tend to bypass. In the last four years, FirstRand has invested over R100m in initiatives such as: - ECD practitioner capacity building - Digital literacy training for teachers and learners - Development of learner resources - Support for learners with disabilities FirstRand is data-led, and this is one of the game-changers ECD needs, said Manona. She highlighted the Thrive By Five Index, a nationally represented dataset, which has helped the sector to understand the bigger picture. Importantly, using data to shift practices produces results in a relatively short space of time, according to Giese. This has the potential to dramatically shift outcomes for young children in years to come. 'There are very few things you can fix in four years, but four years can change the entire life of a four-year-old,' Giese pointed out. She challenged funders to adopt a 'growth mindset', however, and not use data simply to assess competency or compliance. 'We don't want to use data to tell our story – we want to use it to change our story,' she explained, adding that curiosity and a continuous learning mindset can make a big difference. Data shouldn't be collected solely for academic or donor reporting – rather, it should be democratised and used as a tool for creative-problem solving, said Giese. Funders and boards should be open to course-correction based on new evidence. She noted the value of learning from positive deviance, where some low-income ECD programmes outperform their well-off peers, offering insights for broader replication. 'A data-smart ECD ecosystem needs a clear mandate, tools that can be embedded in the data value chain, and data literacy so we can use data to shift behaviour and become thought leaders in the education space,' she asserted. She also urged corporates to deploy multi-year budgets, flexible funding, and non-financial assets to support ECD throughout the full learning cycle. The challenge of professionalising ECD While the panellists agreed on the need to professionalise ECD, Nxasana warned of the dangers of doing so without care. 'It is vital that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), which is responsible for accreditation, works closely with the DBE, nonprofits and other stakeholders to ensure we don't collapse what is working, and fix what isn't currently working,' he said. ECD practitioners shouldn't be expected to professionalise in the manner of school teachers, especially as there are crucial factors to be taken into account in a child's first 1,000 days, including cognitive development and social welfare. 'ECD is not about imposing formal teacher models. It's about holistic development – cognitive, emotional, and physical,' he pointed out. At the same time, we need to be realistic about the tools and platforms ECD practitioners use. For example, WhatsApp has proved adequate for 'gogos' and young women running their ECD businesses from back rooms or garages in townships or rural villages, said Nxasana. He highlighted the need to build accessible, community-rooted training institutions, especially as there are no dedicated ECD colleges in the country. Each panellist asserted that the success of ECD systems hinges on well-supported practitioners. Professionalising the sector must go hand-in-hand with improved working conditions, secure and dignified wages, and ongoing mentorship and coaching. Gugushe said ECD practitioners also need access to resources, networks and ongoing support to strengthen their capabilities. As Manona noted, quality teaching is one of the five key pillars in the DBE's strategy for early learning – a strategy that must include scalable, affordable, and flexible pathways for ECD success.
Eyewitness News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Primedia Cares partners with Trialogue for the 2025 Business in Society Conference
Primedia Cares is proud to announce its partnership with Trialogue for the upcoming Trialogue Business in Society Conference, South Africa's premier event dedicated to corporate responsibility. This high-impact gathering will take place on 12–14 May 2025 at The Galleria, Sandton, and online. Focusing on the 'S' in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), the conference will bring together corporate leaders, nonprofit professionals, and thought leaders to explore the theme: 'Driving Impact, Inspiring Change.' 'Trialogue is proud to be partnering with Primedia Cares to bring stories of corporate citizenship and social impact to a broader audience. By bringing together industry leaders, changemakers, and visionaries at the conference, we aim to showcase innovation and inspire actionable strategies that create lasting societal value," said Cathy Duff, Director at Trialogue. This year's programme will include deep dives into topics such as the role of business in society, trends in Corporate Social Investment (CSI), education, entrepreneurship, and innovation for social good. The conference aims to promote meaningful dialogue, foster strategic partnerships, and inspire actionable change that contributes to a more equitable and sustainable South Africa. 702's 'The John Perlman Show' will broadcast live from the event, bringing the conference's powerful conversations and insights to a broader audience. 'At Primedia Cares, we believe in the power of purposeful partnerships to drive real, lasting change. By collaborating with Trialogue, we're proud to amplify conversations that matter — around education, entrepreneurship, and social impact — and to help shape a future where business and media play a truly transformative role in society,' said Trish Taylor, Head of Primedia Cares. The event kicks off with a Masterclass on Monday, 12 May, followed by two full days of thought leadership, collaboration, and insight on 13 and 14 May. For more information and to register, visit
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Trialogue Business in Society Conference 2025 rallies CSI sector to drive impact in turbulent times
As global politics see increasing polarisation and threats to the prioritisation of social and environmental agendas, South African businesses, nonprofits and government face new challenges in pursuing meaningful social impact. Against this backdrop, the annual Trialogue Business in Society Conference returns with its timely theme 'Driving Impact, Inspiring Change'. The conference brings together corporate and nonprofit leaders to explore strategic approaches to social investment that remain effective despite the shifting political and economic environment. 'The retreat from sustainability commitments and social development initiatives globally has created a complex landscape for organisations committed to addressing persistent inequalities and social challenges in South Africa,' says Trialogue director Cathy Duff. 'This year's conference addresses a critical moment for corporate social responsibility. While we're seeing concerning global trends of de-prioritising social development, South African businesses have a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership by recommitting to sustainable practices and innovative social impact strategies. The conference creates space for essential conversations about how we maintain momentum on social progress during difficult times." Keynote presentations showcase local thought leaders Busi Mavuso, the chief executive officer of Business Leadership South Africa, will open the conference with her keynote address. She will discuss some of the considerations facing companies at this crucial juncture, including the role corporate South Africa must play in rebuilding trust and driving change. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube will deliver the second keynote of the conference, discussing the importance of public–private partnerships in delivering quality education for all, amongst other crucial elements of basic education in South Africa. The closing keynote address will be presented by the Nelson Mandela Foundation Chairperson Dr Naledi Pandor on Day 2. A former member of cabinet and parliament, Dr Pandor will speak to the evolving role of business as a development partner in addressing some of South Africa's social an economic challenge, how to encourage more equitable partnerships between companies, government and civil society and call on companies to take a more prominent role in leading transformation and inclusion, despite global political shifts. Conference topics reinforce development priorities This year's headline content sponsors include the FirstRand Foundation, Absa, MTN, Sanlam, Telkom and the Vodacom Foundation. Wesgro is this year's networking sponsor, while Volkswagen Group Africa returns as the conference gift sponsor. The first session of the conference will be a panel discussion entitled 'Breaking Silos: Cross-sector collaboration for social impact', presented in partnership with Sanlam. The session will examine how strategic partnerships across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors can amplify social investment outcomes. The second session, 'Strengthening ECD for lasting impact', presented in partnership with the FirstRand Foundation, will explore how targeted investment in ECD can address systemic barriers and improve access to quality early learning. This will be followed by a panel discussion entitled 'From policy to practice: Enabling thriving youth entrepreneurship', presented in partnership with Absa. During this session speakers will discuss the critical transition from strategic intent to effective implementation in cultivating sustainable youth entrepreneurship ecosystems. The final session of Day 1 'Building Africa's digital pipeline', presented in partnership with MTN, will explore how companies can work with nonprofit organisations and government to equip young people with the skills needed to drive the economy in the digital age. On the second day of the conference, delegates will hear about the power of monitoring and evaluation in the session entitled 'Embedding a culture of monitoring, evaluation and learning to scale impact', presented in partnership with the Vodacom Foundation. In the final panel session of the day 'From classroom to career: Unlocking opportunities for South Africa's Youth', presented in partnership with Telkom, delegates will hear about innovative approaches to bridging the education-to-employment gap for young South Africans. About the conference The conference will once again be held in hybrid format, allowing virtual attendance of plenary sessions. The comprehensive programme features thought-provoking keynote addresses, engaging panel discussions, and informative conversations about the latest thinking driving CSI. This year's conference will also see company and NPO representatives providing helpful insights on various funding practices in an interactive session entitled 'Cracking the code: How companies partner with NPOs'. For those attending in person, the conference offers exceptional networking opportunities with peers and thought leaders in the corporate social responsibility sector, along with access to exhibition stands showcasing innovations from various organisations. All registered delegates, both virtual and in-person, will receive exclusive conference materials and sponsor-provided gift bags. Masterclass sessions In response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from last year's introduction of masterclasses, Trialogue will once again be hosting a masterclass series the day before the conference, Monday 12 May, 2025. These will include: For companies: - Trialogue Strategic CSI - AVPA Impact Investing Masterclass For nonprofits: - Digital Marketing and AI for Nonprofits - Creative Fundraising - Inyathelo Unlocking sustainable impact: Integrating social enterprise into nonprofit structures For more information about the Masterclasses and how to register, visit the conference website. How to register for the conference For more information about the Trialogue Business in Society Conference 2025, and to register, visit
