10 Inspiring Community Projects in South Africa: Pathways to Impact
10 Inspiring Community Projects in South Africa: Pathways to Impact
10 Inspiring Community Projects in South Africa: Pathways to Impact
Author
Author
Romanos Boraine
Romanos Boraine
Category
Social Development
Social Development
Date
17 Jun 2025
17 Jun 2025
Despite the persistent "triple challenges" of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, a vibrant ecosystem of effective, community-led initiatives is delivering tangible success across South Africa.
Despite the persistent "triple challenges" of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, a vibrant ecosystem of effective, community-led initiatives is delivering tangible success across South Africa.
Despite the persistent "triple challenges" of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, a vibrant ecosystem of effective, community-led initiatives is delivering tangible success across South Africa.
These inspiring community projects offer more than just hope; they provide a practical blueprint for what works, showcasing replicable models for sustainable social development. This article moves beyond theory to highlight 10 verified, high-impact community engagement projects that are building a better South Africa from the ground up.
In This Article:
Models for Health and Social Protection
mothers2mothers (m2m): Eliminating HIV Transmission Through Peer Support
The Isibindi Model: Professionalising Community-Based Child Protection
Sonke Gender Justice: Advocating for Equality from the Courts to the Community
Pathways for Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship
YouthBuild South Africa: Building Skills and Employability
Ikamva Youth: Unlocking Potential with After-School Tutoring
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: Fostering High-Impact Entrepreneurs
Models for Rural Development and Food Security
The Bulungula Incubator: Driving Integrated Rural Development
The Ubunye Foundation: Championing Community-Led Governance
Missionvale Care Centre: A Garden of Hope and Nutrition
National Frameworks for Scaled Impact
The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) & Social Employment Fund (SEF)
The Blueprint for Success: Key Learnings from South Africa's Top Community Projects
Answering Your Questions About Community Development in South Africa
These inspiring community projects offer more than just hope; they provide a practical blueprint for what works, showcasing replicable models for sustainable social development. This article moves beyond theory to highlight 10 verified, high-impact community engagement projects that are building a better South Africa from the ground up.
In This Article:
Models for Health and Social Protection
mothers2mothers (m2m): Eliminating HIV Transmission Through Peer Support
The Isibindi Model: Professionalising Community-Based Child Protection
Sonke Gender Justice: Advocating for Equality from the Courts to the Community
Pathways for Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship
YouthBuild South Africa: Building Skills and Employability
Ikamva Youth: Unlocking Potential with After-School Tutoring
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: Fostering High-Impact Entrepreneurs
Models for Rural Development and Food Security
The Bulungula Incubator: Driving Integrated Rural Development
The Ubunye Foundation: Championing Community-Led Governance
Missionvale Care Centre: A Garden of Hope and Nutrition
National Frameworks for Scaled Impact
The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) & Social Employment Fund (SEF)
The Blueprint for Success: Key Learnings from South Africa's Top Community Projects
Answering Your Questions About Community Development in South Africa
These inspiring community projects offer more than just hope; they provide a practical blueprint for what works, showcasing replicable models for sustainable social development. This article moves beyond theory to highlight 10 verified, high-impact community engagement projects that are building a better South Africa from the ground up.
In This Article:
Models for Health and Social Protection
mothers2mothers (m2m): Eliminating HIV Transmission Through Peer Support
The Isibindi Model: Professionalising Community-Based Child Protection
Sonke Gender Justice: Advocating for Equality from the Courts to the Community
Pathways for Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship
YouthBuild South Africa: Building Skills and Employability
Ikamva Youth: Unlocking Potential with After-School Tutoring
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: Fostering High-Impact Entrepreneurs
Models for Rural Development and Food Security
The Bulungula Incubator: Driving Integrated Rural Development
The Ubunye Foundation: Championing Community-Led Governance
Missionvale Care Centre: A Garden of Hope and Nutrition
National Frameworks for Scaled Impact
The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) & Social Employment Fund (SEF)
The Blueprint for Success: Key Learnings from South Africa's Top Community Projects
Answering Your Questions About Community Development in South Africa
Models for Health and Social Protection
Models for Health and Social Protection
Models for Health and Social Protection
A nation's strength can be measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. In South Africa, innovative, community-based models are leading the charge in health and social protection. The following projects demonstrate powerful, evidence-based approaches to safeguarding the well-being of mothers, children, and families, proving that trusted local solutions can achieve world-class results.
1. mothers2mothers (m2m): Eliminating HIV Transmission Through Peer Support
The Model:
At the heart of m2m's globally recognised success is a simple, powerful idea: training and employing local women living with HIV as front-line "Mentor Mothers". Working in clinics and communities, these peers provide invaluable health education, support, and encouragement to pregnant women and new mothers. Their shared lived experience builds deep trust, effectively overcoming the stigma that can be a major barrier to healthcare.
The Verified Impact:
The results are nothing short of remarkable. For the tenth consecutive year, m2m achieved a 0.0% rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission among its enrolled clients in 2023. This milestone represents the virtual elimination of transmission. In 2023 alone, the organisation reached over 774,307 clients across ten African countries, demonstrating a scalable model for public health success.
Learn More: https://m2m.org
2. The Isibindi Model: Professionalising Community-Based Child Protection
The Model:
Developed by the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW), the Isibindi model is a pioneering South African approach to caring for orphans and vulnerable children. It trains community members as professional Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) who operate within the "life-space" of children – their homes, schools, and communities – to provide holistic, therapeutic support. A key component of this initiative is the creation of "Safe Parks," which are supervised spaces offering educational support and recreational activities.
The Verified Impact:
External evaluations confirm the model's long-term benefits. Isibindi alumni report significantly higher self-esteem and exhibit lower HIV-risk behaviours compared to control groups. The programme has a vast reach, serving over 135,000 children through home visits and Safe Park activities in a single reporting period.
Learn More: https://www.gov.za/news
3. Sonke Gender Justice: Advocating for Equality from the Courts to the Community
The Model:
Sonke Gender Justice employs a dual strategy, combining high-level policy advocacy with grassroots community education and mobilisation. The organisation engages in strategic litigation to challenge discriminatory laws while its community teams work to dismantle harmful gender norms. A key initiative is the MenCare programme, which actively involves men in promoting positive masculinity and gender equality.
The Verified Impact:
A landmark achievement during the 2023/2024 period was Sonke's role in a High Court case that secured up to four months of parental leave for fathers. This victory represents a significant step forward for gender equality and shared caregiving in South Africa.
Learn More: https://genderjustice.org.za/
A nation's strength can be measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. In South Africa, innovative, community-based models are leading the charge in health and social protection. The following projects demonstrate powerful, evidence-based approaches to safeguarding the well-being of mothers, children, and families, proving that trusted local solutions can achieve world-class results.
1. mothers2mothers (m2m): Eliminating HIV Transmission Through Peer Support
The Model:
At the heart of m2m's globally recognised success is a simple, powerful idea: training and employing local women living with HIV as front-line "Mentor Mothers". Working in clinics and communities, these peers provide invaluable health education, support, and encouragement to pregnant women and new mothers. Their shared lived experience builds deep trust, effectively overcoming the stigma that can be a major barrier to healthcare.
The Verified Impact:
The results are nothing short of remarkable. For the tenth consecutive year, m2m achieved a 0.0% rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission among its enrolled clients in 2023. This milestone represents the virtual elimination of transmission. In 2023 alone, the organisation reached over 774,307 clients across ten African countries, demonstrating a scalable model for public health success.
Learn More: https://m2m.org
2. The Isibindi Model: Professionalising Community-Based Child Protection
The Model:
Developed by the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW), the Isibindi model is a pioneering South African approach to caring for orphans and vulnerable children. It trains community members as professional Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) who operate within the "life-space" of children – their homes, schools, and communities – to provide holistic, therapeutic support. A key component of this initiative is the creation of "Safe Parks," which are supervised spaces offering educational support and recreational activities.
The Verified Impact:
External evaluations confirm the model's long-term benefits. Isibindi alumni report significantly higher self-esteem and exhibit lower HIV-risk behaviours compared to control groups. The programme has a vast reach, serving over 135,000 children through home visits and Safe Park activities in a single reporting period.
Learn More: https://www.gov.za/news
3. Sonke Gender Justice: Advocating for Equality from the Courts to the Community
The Model:
Sonke Gender Justice employs a dual strategy, combining high-level policy advocacy with grassroots community education and mobilisation. The organisation engages in strategic litigation to challenge discriminatory laws while its community teams work to dismantle harmful gender norms. A key initiative is the MenCare programme, which actively involves men in promoting positive masculinity and gender equality.
The Verified Impact:
A landmark achievement during the 2023/2024 period was Sonke's role in a High Court case that secured up to four months of parental leave for fathers. This victory represents a significant step forward for gender equality and shared caregiving in South Africa.
Learn More: https://genderjustice.org.za/
A nation's strength can be measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. In South Africa, innovative, community-based models are leading the charge in health and social protection. The following projects demonstrate powerful, evidence-based approaches to safeguarding the well-being of mothers, children, and families, proving that trusted local solutions can achieve world-class results.
1. mothers2mothers (m2m): Eliminating HIV Transmission Through Peer Support
The Model:
At the heart of m2m's globally recognised success is a simple, powerful idea: training and employing local women living with HIV as front-line "Mentor Mothers". Working in clinics and communities, these peers provide invaluable health education, support, and encouragement to pregnant women and new mothers. Their shared lived experience builds deep trust, effectively overcoming the stigma that can be a major barrier to healthcare.
The Verified Impact:
The results are nothing short of remarkable. For the tenth consecutive year, m2m achieved a 0.0% rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission among its enrolled clients in 2023. This milestone represents the virtual elimination of transmission. In 2023 alone, the organisation reached over 774,307 clients across ten African countries, demonstrating a scalable model for public health success.
Learn More: https://m2m.org
2. The Isibindi Model: Professionalising Community-Based Child Protection
The Model:
Developed by the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW), the Isibindi model is a pioneering South African approach to caring for orphans and vulnerable children. It trains community members as professional Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) who operate within the "life-space" of children – their homes, schools, and communities – to provide holistic, therapeutic support. A key component of this initiative is the creation of "Safe Parks," which are supervised spaces offering educational support and recreational activities.
The Verified Impact:
External evaluations confirm the model's long-term benefits. Isibindi alumni report significantly higher self-esteem and exhibit lower HIV-risk behaviours compared to control groups. The programme has a vast reach, serving over 135,000 children through home visits and Safe Park activities in a single reporting period.
Learn More: https://www.gov.za/news
3. Sonke Gender Justice: Advocating for Equality from the Courts to the Community
The Model:
Sonke Gender Justice employs a dual strategy, combining high-level policy advocacy with grassroots community education and mobilisation. The organisation engages in strategic litigation to challenge discriminatory laws while its community teams work to dismantle harmful gender norms. A key initiative is the MenCare programme, which actively involves men in promoting positive masculinity and gender equality.
The Verified Impact:
A landmark achievement during the 2023/2024 period was Sonke's role in a High Court case that secured up to four months of parental leave for fathers. This victory represents a significant step forward for gender equality and shared caregiving in South Africa.
Learn More: https://genderjustice.org.za/
Pathways for Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship
Pathways for Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship
Pathways for Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship
Tackling South Africa's staggering youth unemployment crisis requires more than just creating jobs; it demands the creation of clear, supportive pathways from education to economic opportunity. The following initiatives are masterclasses in building these pathways. They address critical gaps in skills, academic support, and entrepreneurial development, empowering the next generation to build a prosperous future for themselves and the nation.
4. YouthBuild South Africa: Building Skills and Employability
The Model:
YouthBuild South Africa is a non-profit organisation that partners with the private sector, including companies like Saint-Gobain and Hilton, to provide accredited, industry-relevant vocational training to unemployed youth who are not in education or training (NEET). A unique aspect of the model is that graduates often contribute to building community assets, such as low-cost housing and green spaces, as part of their training.
The Verified Impact:
By 2020, YouthBuild had successfully trained over 2,500 young people. The Saint-Gobain YouthBuild Academy alone has graduated more than 1,000 learners, with its 2018 cohort achieving an impressive 80% employment placement rate, demonstrating a clear pathway into the formal economy.
Learn More: https://youthbuild.org/
5. Ikamva Youth: Unlocking Potential with After-School Tutoring
The Model:
This non-profit tutoring network operates across five provinces, supporting disadvantaged high-school learners in townships and rural towns. The model is built on the dedication of volunteer tutors and strong community partnerships to improve academic outcomes for learners facing significant educational barriers.
The Verified Impact:
The results speak for themselves. In 2024, IkamvaYouth learners achieved a remarkable 93% matric pass rate, with 85% achieving eligibility for tertiary studies. This consistently high performance significantly outperforms the averages for quintile-1 schools, from which many of its learners are drawn.
Learn More: https://ikamvayouth.org/
6. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: Fostering High-Impact Entrepreneurs
The Model:
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) is a premier philanthropic initiative focused on cultivating a pipeline of high-impact, responsible entrepreneurs. It operates through fully-funded scholarships for high school learners and comprehensive fellowship programmes for university students, all designed to instil an entrepreneurial mindset. The foundation is endowed in perpetuity to ensure its sustainable, long-term impact.
The Verified Impact:
AGOF's long-term investment in human capital has yielded significant results. The foundation has supported more than 300 ventures launched by its Fellows, which have collectively created thousands of jobs and positively impacted over one million lives, showcasing the multiplier effect of nurturing entrepreneurship.
Learn More: https://allangrayorbis.org/
Tackling South Africa's staggering youth unemployment crisis requires more than just creating jobs; it demands the creation of clear, supportive pathways from education to economic opportunity. The following initiatives are masterclasses in building these pathways. They address critical gaps in skills, academic support, and entrepreneurial development, empowering the next generation to build a prosperous future for themselves and the nation.
4. YouthBuild South Africa: Building Skills and Employability
The Model:
YouthBuild South Africa is a non-profit organisation that partners with the private sector, including companies like Saint-Gobain and Hilton, to provide accredited, industry-relevant vocational training to unemployed youth who are not in education or training (NEET). A unique aspect of the model is that graduates often contribute to building community assets, such as low-cost housing and green spaces, as part of their training.
The Verified Impact:
By 2020, YouthBuild had successfully trained over 2,500 young people. The Saint-Gobain YouthBuild Academy alone has graduated more than 1,000 learners, with its 2018 cohort achieving an impressive 80% employment placement rate, demonstrating a clear pathway into the formal economy.
Learn More: https://youthbuild.org/
5. Ikamva Youth: Unlocking Potential with After-School Tutoring
The Model:
This non-profit tutoring network operates across five provinces, supporting disadvantaged high-school learners in townships and rural towns. The model is built on the dedication of volunteer tutors and strong community partnerships to improve academic outcomes for learners facing significant educational barriers.
The Verified Impact:
The results speak for themselves. In 2024, IkamvaYouth learners achieved a remarkable 93% matric pass rate, with 85% achieving eligibility for tertiary studies. This consistently high performance significantly outperforms the averages for quintile-1 schools, from which many of its learners are drawn.
Learn More: https://ikamvayouth.org/
6. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: Fostering High-Impact Entrepreneurs
The Model:
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) is a premier philanthropic initiative focused on cultivating a pipeline of high-impact, responsible entrepreneurs. It operates through fully-funded scholarships for high school learners and comprehensive fellowship programmes for university students, all designed to instil an entrepreneurial mindset. The foundation is endowed in perpetuity to ensure its sustainable, long-term impact.
The Verified Impact:
AGOF's long-term investment in human capital has yielded significant results. The foundation has supported more than 300 ventures launched by its Fellows, which have collectively created thousands of jobs and positively impacted over one million lives, showcasing the multiplier effect of nurturing entrepreneurship.
Learn More: https://allangrayorbis.org/
Tackling South Africa's staggering youth unemployment crisis requires more than just creating jobs; it demands the creation of clear, supportive pathways from education to economic opportunity. The following initiatives are masterclasses in building these pathways. They address critical gaps in skills, academic support, and entrepreneurial development, empowering the next generation to build a prosperous future for themselves and the nation.
4. YouthBuild South Africa: Building Skills and Employability
The Model:
YouthBuild South Africa is a non-profit organisation that partners with the private sector, including companies like Saint-Gobain and Hilton, to provide accredited, industry-relevant vocational training to unemployed youth who are not in education or training (NEET). A unique aspect of the model is that graduates often contribute to building community assets, such as low-cost housing and green spaces, as part of their training.
The Verified Impact:
By 2020, YouthBuild had successfully trained over 2,500 young people. The Saint-Gobain YouthBuild Academy alone has graduated more than 1,000 learners, with its 2018 cohort achieving an impressive 80% employment placement rate, demonstrating a clear pathway into the formal economy.
Learn More: https://youthbuild.org/
5. Ikamva Youth: Unlocking Potential with After-School Tutoring
The Model:
This non-profit tutoring network operates across five provinces, supporting disadvantaged high-school learners in townships and rural towns. The model is built on the dedication of volunteer tutors and strong community partnerships to improve academic outcomes for learners facing significant educational barriers.
The Verified Impact:
The results speak for themselves. In 2024, IkamvaYouth learners achieved a remarkable 93% matric pass rate, with 85% achieving eligibility for tertiary studies. This consistently high performance significantly outperforms the averages for quintile-1 schools, from which many of its learners are drawn.
Learn More: https://ikamvayouth.org/
6. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: Fostering High-Impact Entrepreneurs
The Model:
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) is a premier philanthropic initiative focused on cultivating a pipeline of high-impact, responsible entrepreneurs. It operates through fully-funded scholarships for high school learners and comprehensive fellowship programmes for university students, all designed to instil an entrepreneurial mindset. The foundation is endowed in perpetuity to ensure its sustainable, long-term impact.
The Verified Impact:
AGOF's long-term investment in human capital has yielded significant results. The foundation has supported more than 300 ventures launched by its Fellows, which have collectively created thousands of jobs and positively impacted over one million lives, showcasing the multiplier effect of nurturing entrepreneurship.
Learn More: https://allangrayorbis.org/
Models for Rural Development and Food Security
In many of South Africa's rural areas, the legacy of spatial inequality presents immense challenges, from food insecurity to a lack of local economic opportunities. Yet, it is in these very communities that some of the most powerful models of self-reliance and sustainable development are taking root. The initiatives below showcase how rural communities are leveraging their inherent strengths—strong social fabric and access to land—to cultivate not just food, but lasting resilience and community-led prosperity.
7. The Bulungula Incubator: Driving Integrated Rural Development
The Model:
Located on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, the Bulungula Incubator is a comprehensive "pre-conception to career" rural development hub. It operates in deep partnership with village residents, delivering a suite of integrated services that span health, education, sustainable livelihoods, and creating vibrant villages.
The Verified Impact:
The Incubator has fundamentally transformed the local economy and community well-being. Local employment within the organisation has skyrocketed, with 87% of its 125 permanent staff now being from the community, a dramatic increase from just 13% in the past. Its programmes now reach over 10,000 people and have made a significant dent in the region's staggering 87% unemployment rate.
Learn More: https://bulungulaincubator.org/
8. The Ubunye Foundation: Championing Community-Led Governance
The Model:
The Ubunye Foundation, also operating in the Eastern Cape, is distinguished by its unique "Siyakahana" (building together) governance model. This approach formally integrates community representatives into every level of the foundation's decision-making structure, including programme working groups and the board of trustees, ensuring all initiatives are genuinely community-driven.
The Verified Impact:
This deep commitment to community ownership has led to remarkable and sustainable outcomes. The model has facilitated the creation of 157 new community-owned businesses, established 309 savings groups that have collectively saved R8 million, and supported 61 community-run ECD centres that now serve over 1,220 children.
Learn More: https://www.ubunyefoundation.co.za/
9. Missionvale Care Centre: A Garden of Hope and Nutrition
The Model:
This project is a powerful, grassroots example of a community food garden tackling local food insecurity in Gqeberha. The Care Centre partners with NPOs like FoodForward SA, who provide essential training, equipment, and a guaranteed market by buying back surplus produce, creating a sustainable ecosystem.
The Verified Impact:
The garden's success is tangible. In a single year, it yielded vegetables valued at an incredible R400,000, leading to a dramatic reduction in neighbourhood food insecurity. The project has also established an internal micro-economy where gardeners earn coupons that can be spent at a community swap shop.
Learn More: https://missionvale.co.za/
Models for Rural Development and Food Security
In many of South Africa's rural areas, the legacy of spatial inequality presents immense challenges, from food insecurity to a lack of local economic opportunities. Yet, it is in these very communities that some of the most powerful models of self-reliance and sustainable development are taking root. The initiatives below showcase how rural communities are leveraging their inherent strengths—strong social fabric and access to land—to cultivate not just food, but lasting resilience and community-led prosperity.
7. The Bulungula Incubator: Driving Integrated Rural Development
The Model:
Located on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, the Bulungula Incubator is a comprehensive "pre-conception to career" rural development hub. It operates in deep partnership with village residents, delivering a suite of integrated services that span health, education, sustainable livelihoods, and creating vibrant villages.
The Verified Impact:
The Incubator has fundamentally transformed the local economy and community well-being. Local employment within the organisation has skyrocketed, with 87% of its 125 permanent staff now being from the community, a dramatic increase from just 13% in the past. Its programmes now reach over 10,000 people and have made a significant dent in the region's staggering 87% unemployment rate.
Learn More: https://bulungulaincubator.org/
8. The Ubunye Foundation: Championing Community-Led Governance
The Model:
The Ubunye Foundation, also operating in the Eastern Cape, is distinguished by its unique "Siyakahana" (building together) governance model. This approach formally integrates community representatives into every level of the foundation's decision-making structure, including programme working groups and the board of trustees, ensuring all initiatives are genuinely community-driven.
The Verified Impact:
This deep commitment to community ownership has led to remarkable and sustainable outcomes. The model has facilitated the creation of 157 new community-owned businesses, established 309 savings groups that have collectively saved R8 million, and supported 61 community-run ECD centres that now serve over 1,220 children.
Learn More: https://www.ubunyefoundation.co.za/
9. Missionvale Care Centre: A Garden of Hope and Nutrition
The Model:
This project is a powerful, grassroots example of a community food garden tackling local food insecurity in Gqeberha. The Care Centre partners with NPOs like FoodForward SA, who provide essential training, equipment, and a guaranteed market by buying back surplus produce, creating a sustainable ecosystem.
The Verified Impact:
The garden's success is tangible. In a single year, it yielded vegetables valued at an incredible R400,000, leading to a dramatic reduction in neighbourhood food insecurity. The project has also established an internal micro-economy where gardeners earn coupons that can be spent at a community swap shop.
Learn More: https://missionvale.co.za/
Models for Rural Development and Food Security
In many of South Africa's rural areas, the legacy of spatial inequality presents immense challenges, from food insecurity to a lack of local economic opportunities. Yet, it is in these very communities that some of the most powerful models of self-reliance and sustainable development are taking root. The initiatives below showcase how rural communities are leveraging their inherent strengths—strong social fabric and access to land—to cultivate not just food, but lasting resilience and community-led prosperity.
7. The Bulungula Incubator: Driving Integrated Rural Development
The Model:
Located on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, the Bulungula Incubator is a comprehensive "pre-conception to career" rural development hub. It operates in deep partnership with village residents, delivering a suite of integrated services that span health, education, sustainable livelihoods, and creating vibrant villages.
The Verified Impact:
The Incubator has fundamentally transformed the local economy and community well-being. Local employment within the organisation has skyrocketed, with 87% of its 125 permanent staff now being from the community, a dramatic increase from just 13% in the past. Its programmes now reach over 10,000 people and have made a significant dent in the region's staggering 87% unemployment rate.
Learn More: https://bulungulaincubator.org/
8. The Ubunye Foundation: Championing Community-Led Governance
The Model:
The Ubunye Foundation, also operating in the Eastern Cape, is distinguished by its unique "Siyakahana" (building together) governance model. This approach formally integrates community representatives into every level of the foundation's decision-making structure, including programme working groups and the board of trustees, ensuring all initiatives are genuinely community-driven.
The Verified Impact:
This deep commitment to community ownership has led to remarkable and sustainable outcomes. The model has facilitated the creation of 157 new community-owned businesses, established 309 savings groups that have collectively saved R8 million, and supported 61 community-run ECD centres that now serve over 1,220 children.
Learn More: https://www.ubunyefoundation.co.za/
9. Missionvale Care Centre: A Garden of Hope and Nutrition
The Model:
This project is a powerful, grassroots example of a community food garden tackling local food insecurity in Gqeberha. The Care Centre partners with NPOs like FoodForward SA, who provide essential training, equipment, and a guaranteed market by buying back surplus produce, creating a sustainable ecosystem.
The Verified Impact:
The garden's success is tangible. In a single year, it yielded vegetables valued at an incredible R400,000, leading to a dramatic reduction in neighbourhood food insecurity. The project has also established an internal micro-economy where gardeners earn coupons that can be spent at a community swap shop.
Learn More: https://missionvale.co.za/
National Frameworks for Scaled Impact
While grassroots projects are the heart of community development, addressing a challenge as vast as national unemployment requires models designed for massive scale. The following framework demonstrates a strategic evolution in South African public policy, where government acts as a key funder and enabler, partnering with a wide network of civil society organisations to drive impact across every province. This approach bridges the gap between national strategy and local delivery, creating a powerful engine for both job creation and social good.
10. The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) & Social Employment Fund (SEF)
The Model:
Launched in response to the economic impact of the pandemic, the PES and its SEF component are national government initiatives designed to create jobs that deliver social value—a concept known as "work for the common good" or "social employment". These programmes operate on an effective three-tier model: government funds established NPOs (as Strategic Implementing Partners or SIPs), who in turn channel resources and support to a wide network of grassroots community-based organisations (CBOs) to carry out the work.
The Verified Impact:
The scale of these initiatives is vast. Since October 2020, the PES has created or supported over 2.2 million work and livelihood opportunities, with women (67%) and youth (72%) being the primary beneficiaries. The SEF component alone successfully created over 50,000 of these part-time work opportunities in its initial phase, demonstrating a powerful model for tackling unemployment while delivering essential community services.
Find out more about the PES: https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/employment-stimulus-dashboard
Find out more about the SEF: https://www.socialemploymentfund.co.za/
National Frameworks for Scaled Impact
While grassroots projects are the heart of community development, addressing a challenge as vast as national unemployment requires models designed for massive scale. The following framework demonstrates a strategic evolution in South African public policy, where government acts as a key funder and enabler, partnering with a wide network of civil society organisations to drive impact across every province. This approach bridges the gap between national strategy and local delivery, creating a powerful engine for both job creation and social good.
10. The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) & Social Employment Fund (SEF)
The Model:
Launched in response to the economic impact of the pandemic, the PES and its SEF component are national government initiatives designed to create jobs that deliver social value—a concept known as "work for the common good" or "social employment". These programmes operate on an effective three-tier model: government funds established NPOs (as Strategic Implementing Partners or SIPs), who in turn channel resources and support to a wide network of grassroots community-based organisations (CBOs) to carry out the work.
The Verified Impact:
The scale of these initiatives is vast. Since October 2020, the PES has created or supported over 2.2 million work and livelihood opportunities, with women (67%) and youth (72%) being the primary beneficiaries. The SEF component alone successfully created over 50,000 of these part-time work opportunities in its initial phase, demonstrating a powerful model for tackling unemployment while delivering essential community services.
Find out more about the PES: https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/employment-stimulus-dashboard
Find out more about the SEF: https://www.socialemploymentfund.co.za/
National Frameworks for Scaled Impact
While grassroots projects are the heart of community development, addressing a challenge as vast as national unemployment requires models designed for massive scale. The following framework demonstrates a strategic evolution in South African public policy, where government acts as a key funder and enabler, partnering with a wide network of civil society organisations to drive impact across every province. This approach bridges the gap between national strategy and local delivery, creating a powerful engine for both job creation and social good.
10. The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) & Social Employment Fund (SEF)
The Model:
Launched in response to the economic impact of the pandemic, the PES and its SEF component are national government initiatives designed to create jobs that deliver social value—a concept known as "work for the common good" or "social employment". These programmes operate on an effective three-tier model: government funds established NPOs (as Strategic Implementing Partners or SIPs), who in turn channel resources and support to a wide network of grassroots community-based organisations (CBOs) to carry out the work.
The Verified Impact:
The scale of these initiatives is vast. Since October 2020, the PES has created or supported over 2.2 million work and livelihood opportunities, with women (67%) and youth (72%) being the primary beneficiaries. The SEF component alone successfully created over 50,000 of these part-time work opportunities in its initial phase, demonstrating a powerful model for tackling unemployment while delivering essential community services.
Find out more about the PES: https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/employment-stimulus-dashboard
Find out more about the SEF: https://www.socialemploymentfund.co.za/
The Blueprint for Success: Key Learnings from South Africa's Top Community Projects
These ten success stories offer compelling proof that impactful, community-centred development is not just a theory but a reality in South Africa. The common threads weaving through these diverse projects are clear: authentic partnerships that share power, peer-led methodologies that build trust, and integrated models that create both social and economic value. While the nation's challenges remain significant, these initiatives provide a powerful counter-narrative of resilience, innovation, and progress.
Ready to Build Your Own Success Story?
The projects featured here prove what is possible when a powerful mission is backed by a clear strategy and effective systems. If you lead a purpose-driven organisation and are ready to bridge the gap between your vision and your results, the next step is a conversation.
The Blueprint for Success: Key Learnings from South Africa's Top Community Projects
These ten success stories offer compelling proof that impactful, community-centred development is not just a theory but a reality in South Africa. The common threads weaving through these diverse projects are clear: authentic partnerships that share power, peer-led methodologies that build trust, and integrated models that create both social and economic value. While the nation's challenges remain significant, these initiatives provide a powerful counter-narrative of resilience, innovation, and progress.
Ready to Build Your Own Success Story?
The projects featured here prove what is possible when a powerful mission is backed by a clear strategy and effective systems. If you lead a purpose-driven organisation and are ready to bridge the gap between your vision and your results, the next step is a conversation.
The Blueprint for Success: Key Learnings from South Africa's Top Community Projects
These ten success stories offer compelling proof that impactful, community-centred development is not just a theory but a reality in South Africa. The common threads weaving through these diverse projects are clear: authentic partnerships that share power, peer-led methodologies that build trust, and integrated models that create both social and economic value. While the nation's challenges remain significant, these initiatives provide a powerful counter-narrative of resilience, innovation, and progress.
Ready to Build Your Own Success Story?
The projects featured here prove what is possible when a powerful mission is backed by a clear strategy and effective systems. If you lead a purpose-driven organisation and are ready to bridge the gap between your vision and your results, the next step is a conversation.
Answering Your Questions About Community Development in South Africa
Answering Your Questions About Community Development in South Africa
Answering Your Questions About Community Development in South Africa
1. What are the key factors for a successful community project in South Africa?
1. What are the key factors for a successful community project in South Africa?
1. What are the key factors for a successful community project in South Africa?
Successful community projects in South Africa are most effective when they move beyond simple consultation to build authentic partnerships where power is shared with the community. Many impactful initiatives use peer-led models, leveraging the credibility of individuals with lived experience to build trust, especially on sensitive topics like health. Furthermore, the most innovative projects often deliver a "double-duty" impact by linking employment creation with the delivery of essential social services.
2. Are there large-scale government programmes for community employment in South Africa?
2. Are there large-scale government programmes for community employment in South Africa?
2. Are there large-scale government programmes for community employment in South Africa?
Yes, the South African government launched the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and the Social Employment Fund (SEF) to create jobs that deliver social value, often called "work for the common good". From 2020 to 2024, the PES created or supported over 2.2 million work opportunities. The SEF component alone created over 50,000 part-time jobs in its first phase by funding non-profit organisations to carry out community work.
3. What are some examples of successful youth empowerment projects in South Africa?
3. What are some examples of successful youth empowerment projects in South Africa?
3. What are some examples of successful youth empowerment projects in South Africa?
Several non-profits have proven models for youth empowerment. YouthBuild South Africa provides accredited vocational training with an 80% employment placement rate for some cohorts. Ikamva Youth offers after-school tutoring that helps learners in disadvantaged communities achieve matric pass rates of around 85%. The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation fosters entrepreneurship through scholarships and has supported Fellows who have launched over 300 ventures, creating thousands of jobs.
4. How are NPOs addressing the challenge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in South Africa?
4. How are NPOs addressing the challenge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in South Africa?
4. How are NPOs addressing the challenge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in South Africa?
NPOs are crucial in bridging the gap between national policy and grassroots impact on GBV. For example, Sonke Gender Justice uses a dual strategy of high-level legal advocacy and community mobilisation to challenge harmful patriarchal norms. Their work contributed to a landmark court ruling securing extended parental leave for fathers. Other networks, like the Masiphephe Network, coordinate over 200 community-based organisations to provide a comprehensive system of care and support for survivors.
Other Social Development Resources for your NPO
Other Social Development Resources for your NPO
Other Social Development Resources for your NPO
The Ultimate Guide to Community Development in South Africa (2025)
Social Development
10 Inspiring Community Projects in South Africa: Pathways to Impact
Social Development
Philanthropy in South Africa: Driving Impact and Sustainable Change
Social Development
The Batho Pele Principles: A Practical Guide to Putting People First in South Africa
Social Development
Ready to Move Faster?
Let’s chat. Book a free 20-minute call with me, Romanos Boraine, to map out your brand, systems, or content gaps - and explore what we can fix fast.
Romanos Boraine
Helping nonprofits, startups and social enterprises grow smarter through strategic positioning, creative direction, digital systems audits and workflow optimisation.
Services
Digital Tools
Ready to Move Faster?
Let’s chat. Book a free 20-minute call with me, Romanos Boraine, to map out your brand, systems, or content gaps - and explore what we can fix fast.
Romanos Boraine
Helping nonprofits, startups and social enterprises grow smarter through strategic positioning, creative direction, digital systems audits and workflow optimisation.
Services
Digital Tools
Ready to Move Faster?
Let’s chat. Book a free 20-minute call with me, Romanos Boraine, to map out your brand, systems, or content gaps - and explore what we can fix fast.
Romanos Boraine
Helping nonprofits, startups and social enterprises grow smarter through strategic positioning, creative direction, digital systems audits and workflow optimisation.
Services
Digital Tools