Our Voice, our future, Stories of hope to bring change

What if the most important investment we could make in our children wasn't inside the classroom, but outside it? In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, host Kelly Morkel sits down with Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews to explore how urban planning can become one of the most powerful tools for improving early childhood development and creating stronger communities. From sa...

What if the laptop gathering dust in your office storeroom could become a child’s gateway to learning? In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we explore the powerful intersection of digital inclusion, education equity, and sustainability with Karin Boomsma, circular economy strategist and sustainability advocate from DigiCircle4All and TheRockGroup. We unpack how circular technology solutions a...

Our Voice, Our Future (Powered by Breadline Africa) Season 2 Episode 1: The Inner World of Young Minds in a Noisy World In today’s fast-moving, overstimulated world, childhood is changing. In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, host Kayang Gagiano, Chief Partnerships Officer at The Reach Trust, is joined by Lisa Voortman, Co-Founder of Grow ECD, to explore the emotional lives of young children...

The season opens with a deeply personal exploration of childhood in the modern age. Today’s children are growing up in environments filled with constant stimulation, digital noise, social comparison, emotional pressure, and rapid change. Beneath the surface, many are quietly asking questions they don’t yet have the language to express: Am I safe? Am I seen? Do I belong? This episode steps into tha...

In this recap episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we reflect on one of the most inspiring conversations of the season, our discussion with ocean adventurer, heart surgery survivor and founder of The Little Optimist Trust, Greg Bertish. Greg’s story reminds us that dreaming is not just about imagining a different future; it is about choosing hope, even in the most difficult moments. After spending ne...

In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, we examine the transformative role of literacy in shaping children’s futures. With 82% of South African Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning, the literacy crisis demands urgent attention. We speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a pioneering initiative providing free, curriculum-aligned reading material to youn...

This episode asked a question no child should ever have to answer: Is it safe to use the toilet at school? In Episode 2 of Our Voice, Our Future, we looked beyond the statistics and into the lived reality of thousands of South African children still forced to use unsafe pit toilets. From the tragic deaths that shocked the nation to the many unreported injuries and fears that shape everyday school...

“If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story.” For millions of children across Africa, that beginning is still marked by gaps in nurturing care, gaps that threaten their ability to thrive. The Nurturing Care Framework, a global strategy to ensure every child survives, grows, and reaches their full potential, offers a clear roadmap. Yet despite its promise, many children cont...

Our Voice, Our Future is a podcast powered by Breadline Africa that explores the challenges and opportunities shaping children’s lives in South Africa and beyond. From early childhood development to literacy, sanitation, economics, and innovation, each episode amplifies voices from communities, changemakers, and thought leaders who share stories of urgency, resilience, and hope. Season 1 brings si...

What happens when early childhood development meets entrepreneurial innovation? In this powerful episode, Marli Hoffman joins us to explore how social enterprise models are transforming pre-schools into sustainable, women-led businesses that uplift entire communities. Drawing on her experience as co-owner of Little Ashford Pre-school and as a leader in educational innovation, Marli shares how she...

Enterprise
Hosted by: Kelsley Sharpley (Masicorp Education Centre)
Guest: Marli Hoffman (Education Innovator & TEDx Speaker) What if preschools weren’t just places of care, but dynamic micro-enterprises that uplift whole communities? In this episode, we sit down with Marli Hoffman, early learning pioneer and advocate for tech-enabled education, to explore how social enterprise models are shifting...

What does a national budget have to do with a four-year-old’s chance to thrive? In this compelling episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we explore how decisions made in government, treasury departments, and corporate boardrooms directly shape the lives and futures of South Africa’s youngest citizens. Only 45% of children aged 3–5 are enrolled in early learning programmes. One in four children under f...

What does it truly mean to “dare to dream”? In this inspiring episode of Our voice, our future, we speak with Greg Bertish, heart surgery survivor, adventurer, author of The Little Optimist children’s books and founder of The Little Optimist Trust. Greg’s story is a remarkable journey of resilience, imagination and purpose. From spending nearly 200 days in hospital battling a life-threatening illn...

What does it truly mean to “dare to dream”? In this inspiring episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we speak with Greg Bertish – heart surgery survivor, adventurer, author of The Little Optimist children’s books, and founder of The Little Optimist Trust. Full episode live next week

In this episode of Our voice, our future, powered by Breadline Africa, we explore the transformative power of literacy in shaping young lives and communities. With 82% of South African grade four students unable to read for meaning, access to books and literacy programmes is more critical than ever. Join us as we speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a groundbreaking initiative providing...

Podcast Description: Our Voice, Our Future – Episode 3: The Power of Literacy** In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, we explore the transformative power of literacy in shaping young lives and communities. With 78% of South African Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning, access to books and literacy programs is more critical than ever. Join us as we speak with...

Thousands of South African schools still rely on unsafe pit toilets, putting children’s lives at risk every day. Despite promises of change, this crisis continues to impact education, health, and dignity. In this episode, our host, Arafat Gatabazi, speaks with Brian Lewis, Director at Envirosan Sanitation Solutions, to explore: * The reality of sanitation in South African schools * The devastating...

If the old adage is true, “If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story, " a lot needs to be done to address Africa's nurturing care deficit and ensure that the future of children on the African continent is bright. The Nurturing Care Framework is a global strategy designed to ensure that every child has the chance to survive, grow, and reach their full potential. But despite...