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.
Download the full case study here.
Social Employment Fund – Learning Brief: Early Childhood Development
This brief highlights how the SEF supports the Early Childhood Development sector by creating part-time jobs, building the capacity of ECD practitioners, and improving early learning outcomes. It showcases partnerships with implementing organisations like Impande,...
Innovative Strategic Partnerships with Zahid Fakey, CEO of weFEEDsa, and Gabrielle Kelly, Head of research, Impact and Innovation at Nal’iBali.
As part of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), the Economic Development Partnership convenes the Social Employment Network (SEN), a community of practice that connects Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs) and supports collaborative learning. To extend this learning...
Cracking the code of blended finance with Dr Paul Cromhout, CEO of Small Projects Foundation.
As part of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), the Economic Development Partnership convenes the Social Employment Network (SEN), a community of practice that connects Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs) and supports collaborative learning. To extend this learning...