Rallying South Africa towards the Common Good
The Social Employment Fund (SEF), managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is a transformative initiative aimed at combating unemployment in South Africa by supporting work that serves the 'common good.' It partners with civil society organisations like NGOs, community kitchens, ECD centres and faith-based groups to provide meaningful work and promote social cohesion.
Since its inception in 2023, over 150,000 people have participated in the programme. Many have never worked before – but have been able to use the skills, capabilities, self-esteem and confidence gained to take the next steps on their pathways out of poverty – into better jobs – or into livelihood and micro-enterprise activity.
Building agency at community level
SEF-funded projects have led to significant skills transfer in areas such as:
Health and Care: Home-based care, maternal health support, psycho-social services.
Agriculture: Organic farming, composting, food garden management.
Education: ECD facilitation, after-school tutoring, sports programmes.
GBV Support: Community-based paralegals, counselling, awareness raising campaigns.
Greening and Cleaning: Waste management, Beneficiation of biomass, invasive species removal.
Community and public art: Presentation skills, social media usage, Arts and Crafts showcasing and performance
Digital Inclusion: Computer & research skills, data gathering and survey process
These programmes not only provide income, but also foster community agency and resilience, reinforcing a sense of purpose among participants.
Case studies of impact
1. Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP)
In partnership with the City of Johannesburg, JICP addresses urban regeneration by employing 1,600 participants through NGOs like Urban Space Management and Clean City SA. Participants clean public spaces, plant gardens and help reduce crime through placemaking. Youth-focused programmes such as Sport for Social Change combine recreation with life skills training, promoting safety and community pride.
2. Hlanganisa Institute: Sisterhood Advocates
Operating in provinces like Free State and Limpopo, Hlanganisa has trained over 2,600 'Pinkies'—female paralegals who support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). With SEF support, their reach expanded from 391 to 6,000 GBV cases handled monthly, highlighting how social employment can significantly scale up effective community initiatives.
3. Food Security: Seriti Institute and Solidaridad Network
Addressing hunger, Seriti developed an agri-node in Deelpan, North West, offering fresh produce and reducing clinic visits due to improved health. Solidaridad empowered 1,650 smallholder farmers with technology and market access in Gauteng, Eastern Cape and North West, contributing to long-term household food security.
The Social Employment Fund is part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, in support of the social economy strategy of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The Industrial Development Corporation is the fund manager.
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