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This guide offers a comprehensive look into what Social Employment is, how it functions through initiatives like the Social Employment Fund (SEF), and why it presents a more resilient and equitable model for job creation than relying on the private sector alone.
This guide offers a comprehensive look into what Social Employment is, how it functions through initiatives like the Social Employment Fund (SEF), and why it presents a more resilient and equitable model for job creation than relying on the private sector alone. Drawing from personal experience and detailed case studies, this article explores the transformative power of creating jobs that serve the public good.
Key Takeaways:
What is Social Employment? It's a model where the government and civil society partner to create part-time jobs within community-based organisations, focusing on work that serves the public good.
Proven Impact: Initiatives like the Social Employment Fund (SEF) have already created over 117,000 work opportunities, primarily for youth and women in vulnerable communities.
A Pathway to Real Jobs: Social Employment is not a dead end. Case studies show a high percentage of participants (up to 50%) transition into permanent jobs or pursue further education.
More Than Just Jobs: The model builds stronger communities by delivering essential services in areas like education, environmental conservation, and food security.
A Resilient Alternative: Unlike the volatility of private-sector job creation, Social Employment offers a stable, intentional strategy to tackle unemployment and build social value simultaneously.
Since the end of 2018, my career has been a journey through the different engines of South Africa’s economy. I’ve worked with a wide spectrum of private sector businesses, from ad agencies and tech companies to manufacturing and retail. I’ve also partnered with non-profits, civil society organisations, and even collaborated with the Presidency in 2022.
Across the for-profit world, I encountered a recurring philosophy: that the act of creating jobs was the ultimate contribution to society, a gift so vital it often overshadowed other civic duties. But I also saw a common vulnerability. I learned that a private enterprise is only a powerful engine for job creation when it is healthy and scaling. When a business faces pressure, its focus inevitably narrows to survival, not expansion. The noble goal of creating more jobs is often the first casualty.
This lesson crystallised over time, seeing how jobs, once celebrated as a company's legacy, could vanish when conditions changed. It became clear that a private business’s contribution to job creation is conditional. It’s only truly valuable to the wider economy when the business itself is profitable and growing. Otherwise, the jobs it creates are temporary and built on a fragile foundation. This highlighted a fundamental flaw in relying on this model alone to solve our country's unemployment challenges.
My perspective shifted for good. Having seen the limitations of one model and the potential of another, I began looking for a more resilient, more equitable approach, one that wasn't dependent on the whims of a single boardroom. That’s when I encountered Social Employment (SE). It's a fundamental rethinking of what a "job" can be...
What is Social Employment? A Radical Shift in Thinking
Social Employment creates work for the public good. It funds part-time jobs within community-based organisations to deliver services that a community needs to thrive. This work is often in sectors the private market overlooks:
Early Childhood Development (ECD) and after-school care.
Environmental conservation and greening projects.
Community safety and social cohesion initiatives.
Food security and urban agriculture.
The model is simple but profound: the government, often in partnership with philanthropy, provides funding to civil society organisations (CSOs). These CSOs, which are already deeply embedded in communities, then hire unemployed local residents to carry out this essential work.
Participants receive a wage, gain valuable skills and work experience, and contribute directly to the well-being of their own neighbourhoods. It’s a model that generates a "dual benefit," delivering crucial services while simultaneously providing income and dignity to the unemployed.
While the concept has global roots, seen in programmes like India’s massive National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), South Africa’s approach is uniquely tailored to our challenges of deep inequality and the need for social repair.
Why Social Employment Is Better for South Africa Than Just "More Jobs"
Relying solely on the private sector to solve our unemployment crisis is a flawed strategy. Businesses are beholden to market cycles, technological disruption, and global economic shifts. They create jobs where it is profitable, not necessarily where they are needed most.
Social Employment offers a more resilient and equitable path forward. Here’s why:
It Targets the Most Vulnerable: SE programmes are specifically designed to reach those who are furthest from the formal job market: youth with no work experience, women in rural areas, and those without higher education.
It Builds Community, Not Just GDP: The work performed through SE directly strengthens the social fabric. A cleaner, safer park, a child who receives tutoring, or a community food garden are all assets that improve collective well-being in ways a simple payslip cannot.
It’s a Pathway, Not a Dead End: Social Employment acts as a powerful incubator for talent. It’s often the first rung on the employment ladder, providing the skills, confidence, and professional networks needed to transition into the formal economy.
In Action: The Social Employment Fund (SEF) and Social Employment Network (SEN)
The most significant Social Employment initiative in South Africa is the Social Employment Fund (SEF), launched as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus. The SEF doesn’t create jobs from Pretoria; it channels funds to a diverse network of Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs), the CSOs doing the work on the ground.
The results have been staggering. Since its inception, the SEF has:
Created over 117,000 work opportunities for unemployed people across the country.
Partnered with dozens of CSOs in fields ranging from education and health to arts and the environment.
Prioritised inclusivity, with the majority of participants being youth and women, many in rural and peri-urban areas.
To support this massive undertaking, the Social Employment Network (SEN) was established. The SEN is a community of practice where these organisations can share knowledge, solve common challenges, and enhance their collective impact. It’s a space for peer learning that helps CSOs navigate everything from financial reporting to measuring their social impact, ensuring the entire system becomes more effective and sustainable.
Case Study: The Learning Trust and the Power of Upskilling
A standout example of SEF’s impact comes from The Learning Trust, an organisation focused on the after-school sector. Through SEF funding, they supported a coalition that:
Employed over 10,000 young teaching assistants and programme facilitators.
Provided after-school academic support to more than 180,000 learners, helping to close the gaps created by the pandemic.
Most importantly, this wasn’t just short-term work. The programme served as a powerful launchpad for its participants:
An incredible 50% of participants transitioned into permanent jobs.
Another 44% went on to pursue further studies, such as finishing their matric or enrolling in tertiary education.
This single example demolishes the myth that public employment is a dead-end street. It proves that with the right structure, Social Employment is a powerful engine for upward mobility.
The Broader Social Employment Ecosystem
The SEF and SEN are the flagship initiatives, but they are part of a growing movement. Other key players include:
The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI): A broad strategy to tackle youth unemployment, which includes funding large-scale programmes like the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) that places young people as assistants in schools.
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: A not-for-profit social enterprise that has become a master at connecting unemployed youth with entry-level job opportunities in the private sector, effectively bridging the gap between talent and employers.
Learn to Earn: A Cape Town-based NGO that provides intensive skills training and job placement assistance, giving unemployed individuals the practical tools they need to become economically active.
Together, these initiatives are proving that there are multiple pathways to tackling unemployment, all rooted in the principle of investing directly in human potential.
The Road Ahead: How Do We Sustain and Scale This Model?
The success of Social Employment raises a critical question: how do we ensure its longevity beyond initial stimulus funding? The future depends on three key areas:
Sustainable Funding Models: The long-term vision is a hybrid model that combines government funding with corporate social investment (CSI) and international donor support. Businesses have a profound opportunity to partner with SEF-funded CSOs, directing their CSI budgets towards programmes that generate measurable social and economic returns in the communities they operate in.
Building Capacity: Scaling up requires strengthening the administrative and operational capacity of the CSOs on the ground. Continued investment in networks like the SEN is crucial to provide training, mentorship, and shared systems that allow these organisations to manage larger programmes effectively.
Shifting the Public Narrative: We must continue to champion the story of Social Employment, not as a welfare programme, but as a vital economic strategy. This means moving beyond just counting "jobs created" and highlighting the deeper social value: improved educational outcomes, stronger community cohesion, and a more resilient society.
A Call to Build a Socially Responsible Society That Works
My journey has taught me that the old debate of "state versus market" is a false choice. We need a thriving private sector, but we also need a robust social economy that creates opportunities where the market cannot or will not.
Social Employment does just that. It provides dignity through work, builds skills, and repairs the social fabric of our nation one job at a time. It is an investment in our people that pays dividends in every corner of society.
This is why I have dedicated my work to supporting the organisations on the front lines of this movement.
Are you involved in a social enterprise, a non-profit, or a community project and want to scale your impact? Are you considering how to set up or strengthen a Social Employment programme?
I can help. I work with organisations to build the strong brands and efficient systems needed to deliver on their mission. My services include:
Targeted Audits to strengthen brand strategy and digital systems.
SEO Optimised Websites to increase visibility and attract support.
Brand Coaching and Communication Strategy to clarify your message and grow your audience.
Let's build a South Africa where everyone has a chance to contribute.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Civil Society Organisations
1. What makes philanthropy in South Africa unique?
Philanthropy in South Africa is unique due to its deep roots in the philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes generosity and interconnectedness. This has created a strong culture of individual and community giving. Today, this is blended with a growing trend towards strategic philanthropy, where donations are treated as investments designed to achieve measurable, long-term social impact rather than just short-term charity.
2. What is the role of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in South African philanthropy?
Corporate Social Investment (CSI) is a major force in the South African philanthropic landscape, with companies investing billions of rands annually (approximately R12.7 billion in 2024). It goes beyond compliance, with a significant focus on education, which receives nearly half of all CSI spend. CSI also includes non-cash donations like employee volunteering and pro bono services, playing a crucial role in funding and supporting the NPO South Africa ecosystem.
3. How is strategic philanthropy changing funding for NPOs in South Africa?
Strategic philanthropy is shifting how funding for NPOs works by moving beyond simple donations. It focuses on models like impact investing South Africa and venture philanthropy, which seek measurable social returns. This means philanthropic capital is now used more as a "catalyst" to de-risk innovative social enterprises, provide long-term mentorship, and attract larger, more conventional investments, ultimately helping NPOs achieve greater scale and financial sustainability.
4. What are the most effective ways for individuals to engage in philanthropy in South Africa?
Individuals can engage in South African philanthropy in several effective ways. Beyond direct donations, high-impact engagement includes skills-based volunteering, where professionals offer their expertise (e.g., legal, financial, marketing) to NPOs. Another powerful method is collective giving, where resources are pooled with others through informal groups like Stokvels or formal online crowdfunding platforms, amplifying the impact of smaller individual contributions.
