The

GOALKEEPERS

The Goalkeepers community is a global collective of collaborative and diverse changemakers. Members include both emerging and well-known leaders who live all over the world and represent an eclectic range of cultures, professions, and interests. As the Policy Innovation Lab we are proud to support this community in South Africa.

Goalkeepers

stories

  • Goalkeepers profile: Bontle Tshole

    This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Bontle Tshole. Discover how this inspiring entrepreneur is transforming health and wellness in South Africa through Baaa Health while empowering young women entrepreneurs with her business incubator, The Luminary.

  • Reflecting on the 2024 Goalkeepers report

    The Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University continues to foster collaboration within the Goalkeepers South Africa network. On October 14th, founder of The Root of the Science Podcast, Anne Chisa led an insightful session on the 2024 Goalkeepers Report, 'The Race to Nourish a Warming World.' The discussion explored global malnutrition, including hidden hunger and innovative solutions to food insecurity, focusing on how these challenges intersect with South Africa's needs.

  • Reflecting on the Goalkeepers 2024 event: Breaking the cycle of malnutrition through innovation

    The Goalkeepers 2024 event ignited a powerful call to action against malnutrition. With groundbreaking innovations and inspiring stories, the global community came together to push forward health solutions that will shape a more prosperous and equitable future.

  • Building purposeful connections: Insights from the Goalkeepers’ community event

    The Policy Innovation Lab hosted a session on purposeful networking, led by Priscilla Morley. Goalkeepers gained practical strategies for building connections, enhancing collaboration, and advancing the SDGs ahead of the upcoming Goalkeepers Event.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Thulani Makhalanyane

    This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Prof. Thulani Makhalanyane. Discover how this pioneering microbiologist is using the hidden power of microbes to revolutionize human health and protect our planet.

  • SU part of global community of SDG goalkeepers

    The Goalkeepers South Africa Network, comprising representatives committed to sharing information, exploring collaboration, and sharing stories of impact, met in June at the offices of the Gates Foundation in Johannesburg to discuss the SDGs they champion.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Thulile Khanyile

    Introducing Thulile Khanyile, who co-founded Nka’Thuto EduPropeller in 2016 to empower disadvantaged African youth through STEAMi programs. Her initiatives have reached over 30,000 learners across South Africa, distributing 500 digital devices and establishing 18 innovation clubs. Outside of her work, she teaches STEM communication and enjoys podcasting, blogging, and weight training.

  • This is a picture of Anne Chisa

    Goalkeepers profile: Anne Chisa

    Meet Anne Chisa, a science communicator and advocate for education and gender equality. Anne was born in Malawi and later moved to South Africa, where she developed a passion for the sciences during her high school years. She is currently pursuing a PhD in agricultural science at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

  • Design Thinking

    Helping to move Goalkeepers from ideas to impact

    The latest Goalkeepers South Africa community event, a Design Thinking webinar led by Dr Debbie Human-Van Eck on 22 July 2024, focused on practical Design Thinking applications for innovative solutions. The session highlighted empathy and diverse perspectives and continues the Goalkeepers’ journey in fostering effective collaboration.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Emmanuel Bonoko

    The Policy Innovation Lab, proud host of the South Africa SDG Goalkeepers network, is this month profiling the impactful work of Goalkeeper Emmanuel Bonoko, whose EBonoko Foundation champions education and economic empowerment in underprivileged communities.

Goalkeepers

HISTORY

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation launched the Goalkeepers (GKs) initiative in 2017. Goalkeepers’ overarching focus is to help accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs by 2030, with a particular focus on SDGs 1 to 6. The community includes emerging and well-known leaders from across society. Every year GK releases a data-driven report, and bestows awards during its GK Global Goals Awards Ceremony. African winners include Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (South Africa), Hauwa Ojeifo (Nigeria), Aya Chebbi (Tunisia) and Dysmus Kisilu (Kenya).

What we do in

SOUTH AFRICA

The Policy Innovation Lab supports Goalkeepers South Africa to create a cohesive, growing and impactful local Goalkeepers community. We do so by:

  • Creating opportunities to share information

  • Exploring ways to collaborate

  • Acknowledging South Africa’s SDG champions