The South Africa Goalkeepers network attends a "Grant Writing 101" workshop and learns the importance of strategically developing a network of collaborators and funders for sustainable impact.

Goalkeepers South Africa met in Stellenbosch to reflect, share progress, and shape a more responsive 2026 programme. Discussions highlighted collaboration, entrepreneurship challenges, wellbeing, and sustainability, while reinforcing peer learning, flexible participation and stronger support for projects and partnerships.

This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Matlhogonolo Ledwaba. Through Plant to Plate, an initiative of The Bread Box Bakery & Studio, she uses cooking, baking, and hydroponic gardening to teach children and communities about nutrition, food production, and small enterprise. By turning a beloved local bakery into a hub for learning and innovation, Matlhogonolo is helping families improve household food security, opening pathways for youth and women to earn an income, and advancing progress toward Zero Hunger and other SDGs in her community.

Goalkeepers South Africa met online on 1 December for the ninth session of the series hosted by Stellenbosch University’s Policy Innovation Lab. Led by Dr Ofentse Theledi, the discussion showed how Ubuntu can guide everyday leadership and strengthen efforts to localise the SDGs across sectors and communities.

Our latest Goalkeepers South Africa session featured Rashmi Rambiritch-Gagiano, a leading advocate for women in leadership, in an interactive masterclass on gender and identity. The session provided leaders with practical tools to navigate prescriptive stereotypes and the backlash that can follow. The key takeaway was a challenge to build respect through clarity and consistency, rather than focusing on "the disease of wanting to be liked," to ensure impact.

This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Maboang Matlou. As founder of Lefakong Farming, she grows and processes moringa into teas, powders, and capsules, while training women and youth, partnering with smallholder producers, and supporting home gardens to improve household nutrition. Her work embodies social innovation by turning local needs into solutions that create jobs, strengthen community markets and broaden opportunities in rural South Africa.

Young South African Goalkeepers gathered at Stellenbosch University from 27 to 30 August 2025 for an innovation bootcamp. Coordinated by SU’s Policy Innovation Lab with the SDG/2063 Impact Hub, and supported by SU LaunchLab and Impact Hub Cape Winelands, participants developed projects covering food security, maternal and child health, precision nutrition and youth innovation. Through expert masterclasses and hands-on pitches, they translated ideas into plans aimed at localising the SDGs in communities across South Africa.

Meet Willem Fourie, a policy entrepreneur exploring the nexus of policy and technology. As Chair of Policy Innovation at Stellenbosch University, he leads work on how AI can improve public policy, grounded in ethics, collaboration and real-world impact.

Recently, Goalkeepers South Africa gathered for a mid-year session to reflect on the journey so far, reconnect in person, and chart the path forward through collaborative projects and continued support for changemakers.

Bill Gates recently outlined the Gates Foundation’s priorities for the next two decades. In South Africa, the Policy Innovation Lab, a Foundation grantee, is applying AI to strengthen policymaking. This work helps governments respond more effectively to complex challenges, ultimately supporting more people on a path to opportunity and prosperity.