Former Springbok Bob Skinstad believes social enterprise is the best way of making a sustainable difference in South Africa. He has started an initiative called bobsforgood that is creating local jobs and helping disadvantaged children.

Former first lady Graca Machel on Wednesday called on South Africans to treat every child as their own at the launch of the Champions for Children campaign in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

Shoppers looking for unique Christmas gifts this year can buy seedlings for a community food garden or a mobility cane for a sight-impaired person.

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale is "sharpening his pencil" to root out corrupt contractors and officials who build shoddy houses for the poor.

A new social development project that encourages companies to invest in carefully selected projects has been shortlisted for the Global Development Network’s (GDN) prestigious Most Innovative Development Project award.

Heartlines launched their mentorship programme in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The new initiative is intended to empower men and woman with the skills to become effective mentors to South African youth.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has partnered with the Department of Social Development in launching a national toll-free substance abuse helpline. 

Government has raised the social grant threshold in an effort to assist the country's poor in coping with current economic challenges such as high inflation and rising food prices.

The Department of Social Development has allocated R22 million to ensure that the rights of South Africa's youngest citizens are protected through the Children's Act.

This was announced by Social Development Minister  Zola Skweyiya at the launch of Child Protection Week.

Ikamva Labantu, a Cape Town based non government organisation, has challenged the traditional financing model of NGOs through a business deal that will guarantee long term sustainability for the organisation. 

In a R230 million empowerment deal, the Ikamva Labantu Empowerment Trust (ILET) has acquired 50.1% of Itec Holdings, an office automation company. The deal will see Ikamva Labantu and the communities it seeks to help, benefit from Itec’s dividends.

A R1.25 billion partnership agreement for the construction of 6 000 low to middle income housing in the Free State has been signed by the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) and Basil Read Developments.

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) will establish a new liaison office in South Africa as part of its efforts to promote regional networks of social security institutions in Africa.

Among the thousands of athletes who competed in the Two Oceans marathon this weekend were 34 Dutch runners whose efforts raised approximately R630 000 for underprivileged schools in Cape Town.

In May of 1999, 450 South Africans shared a luncheon together on one long table, perched on the slopes of Table Mountain. Their aim was to show the country and indeed the world that a unified people have the power to heal a nation.

Old Mutual has risen to the ‘Lapdesk Challenge’ and pledged R3 million for the purchase of 60 000 lapdesks to be distributed in 74 schools throughout South Africa.  

In an effort to make cellphone technology available to more South Africans, MTN has introduced a new range of low cost phones which will be available through distributors in the informal market.

A drug rehabilitation and child care centre is to open in one of Cape Town’s most notorious communities.

An agreement to establish the rehabilitation centre in Delft was signed by Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille and German non-governmental organisation (NGO) Power-Child earlier this month at the South African Embassy in Berlin.

The North West Department of Social Development is to spend R10.9 million on orphans and vulnerable children as part of their back to school support campaign.

An innovative business idea has seen two young Soweto businessmen become the first winners of the Branson School of Entrepreneurship 2007 Soweto Business Plan Award.

Gaming Zone owners Musa Maphongwane and Amos Mtsolongo received R100 000 from Sir Richard Branson for their video game services company that provides entertainment facilities for children in Soweto.

An extra R87 million in social grants has been allocated to help those who suffer the most from food price inflation. Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya made this announcement at a meeting with MEC's in Durban on Thursday.

South Africa signed an agreement on Wednesday that will see it receiving almost R10-billion (€980-million) in development aid from the European Union (EU) over the next seven years.

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Scheme is set to deal with the ever-increasing traffic flow on the province’s freeways.

Excitement brews in Pimville Soweto as the opening of the townships first mega-mall draws near. The life-long dream of Soweto businessman, Richard Maponya, will finally be a reality when Maponya Mall opens its doors on Thursday 27th September.

The first sod was turned on a R1.8 billion housing project commemorating the life of former African National Congress leader Chief Albert Luthuli on the East Rand on Sunday.

In a move that will largely benefit the city's poor, Cape Town is to write off some R1.5 billion in outstanding debt, mayor Helen Zille announced on Wednesday.