Changemaker Programme

The Stanford Social Innovation Review defines a social entrepreneur as follows:

“Someone who targets an unfortunate but stable equilibrium that causes the neglect, marginalization, or suffering of a segment of humanity; who brings to bear on this situation his or her inspiration, direct action, creativity, courage, and fortitude; and who aims for and ultimately affects the establishment of a new stable equilibrium that secures permanent benefit for the targeted group and society at large.”

Hosted in the community of Philippi out of UCT’s satellite campus Philippi Village (PV) (a joint venture between Business Activator and the Bertha Foundation), the Changemaker programme is a two-month interactive social entrepreneurship programme for young people, not in formal education, training, or employment, offered by the University of Cape Town's Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the UCT GSB Solution Space.

The case for developing and implementing more social entrepreneurship programming can be seen every time you drive through the township in South Africa. We have growing numbers of unemployment, large numbers of social ills, and what some have referred to as the eradication of ubuntu. Further to this, a stagnating economy coupled with a under capacitated and already low performing basic education system, make the case for entrepreneurship development even more crucial. Key part of the programme is a focus on mental health, and providing young people and future entrepreneurs the crucial skills and tools to improve their mental health. 

Watch: Changemaker Programme Overview