Contributors: Thula Zondi | Margo le Roux | Pascale Du Toit
The Social Employment Fund (SEF) is helping bridge South Africa’s digital divide by combining meaningful work opportunities with digital skills development, connectivity, and access to technology. Through its network of Strategic Implementing Partners, the programme is equipping participants with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a digital economy while supporting community development across sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, community safety, and the creative industries.
From community Wi-Fi networks and digital mapping initiatives to digital health screenings and online learning platforms, the SEF is demonstrating how technology can create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and social impact. By placing digital inclusion at the centre of social employment, the programme is building a scalable model for empowering communities and enabling broader participation in South Africa’s economic future.
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Self-discovery through education (Mpumalanga)
Introduction Mpumalanga grapples with high unemployment rates, particularly among its youth population. With limited access to job opportunities and economic resources, many young people find themselves unemployed or underemployed, hindering their ability to...
Making animal feed from invasive plants (Limpopo)
Case Study: Making animal feed from invasive plants. Background The Impact Catalyst's Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme addresses the dual challenge of environmental degradation and socio-economic needs in communities across the Northern Cape, Limpopo,...
Transformation through agriculture
Introduction The Social Employment Fund (SEF) proudly presents a compilation of impactful stories, highlighting the transformative power of its agricultural programme. Through partnerships with local hosts and a commitment to the theme "Vuka Usebenze" (Wake up and...