On 3 June, the Goalkeepers South Africa Secretariat met with 16 Goalkeepers and colleagues from the South African and US Gates Foundation offices for a face-to-face working session. The tone for the day was set by Ms Matshidiso Masire, Head of the Gates Foundation South Africa office, who reminded the group:

   “We have a responsibility to lift others as we rise in our fields.”

Professor Willem Fourie, Head of the Secretariat (Policy Innovation Lab, Stellenbosch University), reflected on the journey shared so far. He emphasised the collective efforts to support changemakers through storytelling, training and collaboration. His message was clear: this community has both the tools and the trust to make even greater progress together.

One of the key outcomes for 2025 is that Goalkeepers will partner up to design and deliver collaborative projects that contribute meaningfully to the SDGs through their own work and advocacy. This session followed earlier engagements this year. In January, a networking webinar focused on intention-setting, wellbeing and planning. In April, a session led by Brandon Paschal (SU LaunchLab) supported Goalkeepers in refining their problem statements and using the Value Proposition Canvas to develop their project ideas.

The June session offered participants the opportunity to share updates, connect with peers, and start forming partnerships. Later this year, they will meet in Stellenbosch for a boot camp, co-hosted by SU LaunchLab. There, they will prototype their projects, develop their pitches and explore regional approaches to social innovation.

This session is just one part of a broader story. To explore more about what the Goalkeepers South Africa community has achieved so far in 2025, visit the SU News site for a reflective piece highlighting key milestones and insights from the first half of the year.