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 explore the power of value propositions

    The most recent Goalkeepers South Africa community session brought SDG advocates together to explore people-centred innovation using the Value Proposition Canvas. Supported by the Policy Innovation Lab, which connects Goalkeepers with expert guidance, the session was led by Brandon Paschal from SU LaunchLab and focused on aligning ideas with real-world needs for greater SDG impact.

  • South African Goalkeepers meet Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation

    CEO Mark Suzman, alongside Africa Director Paulin Basinga, recently hosted the Goalkeepers South Africa Network in Cape Town. Facilitated by the Policy Innovation Lab, Suzman applauded their efforts, reaffirming that “progress is possible” through local action and collaboration. Read more about this milestone engagement and how Goalkeepers are shaping sustainable development in South Africa.

  • Setting intentions for 2025: Goalkeepers South Africa’s roadmap

    Goalkeepers South Africa kicked off 2025 with a networking webinar. Facilitated by Prof. Willem Fourie and supported by the Policy Innovation Lab, the session ignited intentional planning, fostering partnerships and well-being practices to balance high-impact work with self-care for progress.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Tšepiso Makwetla

    This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Tšepiso Makwetla. Discover how this influential journalist and health advocate is using her platform to amplify critical health messages, support maternal and child health, and drive awareness on key issues with WHO Africa. Beyond health, she is also working with SANParks to promote sustainability and conservation, bridging the gap between environmental and community well-being in South Africa.

  • Reflecting on a year of Goalkeepers progress

    The Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University hosted the final Goalkeepers South Africa session of 2024 on November 25th. Participants reflected on the year’s milestones and planned impactful collaborations for 2025, leveraging skills like Design Thinking and purposeful networking. Learn how the network is driving SDG progress and preparing for a transformative 2025.

  • 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.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Mike Skosana

    This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Mike Skosana. Discover how this inspiring social entrepreneur is reshaping education in South Africa with I’m Smart Digital Classes for Kids, equipping children with essential digital skills and creating meaningful opportunities for young black women in rural communities.

  • 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

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