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

Breadline Africa
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"Welcome to Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa—a podcast where real voices tell real stories that inspire change. This dynamic series brings together changemakers, influencers, journalists, children, community members, politicians, NGOs, and more to discuss the issues that matter most.
 With a commitment to inclusivity and community-led dialogue, Our Voice, Our Future provides a platform for crucial social issues, amplifying voices from diverse communities to spark awareness and drive action. Through meaningful discussions, we aim to educate, empower, and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.
 Join us for this compelling journey as we explore, educate, and inform through stories and conversations that empower communities to create lasting change. Together, we can make a difference."

  1. FEB 8

    Ep 3 Recap:The Power of Literacy

    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 young learners, and Dorette Louw from Book Dash, a non-profit dedicated to making high-quality, diverse children’s books accessible to under-resourced communities. Together, these voices highlight why literacy is not only a foundational skill, but a critical driver of equity, opportunity, and imagination.

    1 min

  2. 12/19/2025

    Episode 2 Recap: The Pit Toilet Crisis

    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 life, this conversation exposed a crisis rooted in inequality, neglect, and broken accountability. Together with our guest, we unpacked why the pit toilet crisis has persisted for so long, how unsafe sanitation affects children’s health, education, and dignity, especially for girls, and what real, practical solutions can look like in schools without access to water. Most importantly, this episode reminded us that safe sanitation is not a luxury. It is a basic human right. 🎧 If you missed it, this is the conversation you need to hear.
 📢 If you’ve listened, this is the one to share. Powered by Breadline Africa. #OurVoiceOurFuture #SafeSchools #EndPitToilets #SanitationForAll #EducationMatters #HumanRights

    2 min

  3. 11/24/2025

    Ep 1: Africa’s Nurturing Care Deficit — Why the Nurturing Care Framework Matters for Every Child_RECAP

    “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 continue to face systemic barriers that hold them back. In this episode, we speak with Patricia Martin-Wiesner, an expert in policy, organisational development, advocacy, and systems strengthening, with a focus on rights-based governance and human capital development. Join us as we unpack why nurturing care is essential, what’s at stake if we fail to act, and how collective action can create a brighter, more equitable future for Africa’s children.

    3 min
  4. Ep 7: Season 1 Retrospective

    10/01/2025

    Ep 7: Season 1 Retrospective

    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 six diverse conversations, from the pit toilet crisis to the power of books, from daring to dream to reimagining early learning, showing how local struggles connect to global futures. This retrospective looks back on our journey through Season 1. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, NGO leader, or someone who simply cares about children and equity, this podcast invites you to listen, reflect, and imagine together.

    21 min
  5. Ep 6: The business of early learning: Rethinking impact through social enterprise

    08/05/2025

    Ep 6: The business of early learning: Rethinking impact through social enterprise

    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 introduced tablet-based learning into classrooms, scaled its impact in underserved communities and reimagined what a pre-school can be. Hosted by Kelsley Sharpley from Masicorp, this conversation explores how technology, infrastructure and enterprise can significantly impact outcomes for children, families and educators, particularly in low-income settings. In this episode, Marli Hoffman unpacks: The moment she realised pre-schools could be micro-enterprises Her journey integrating technology into early learning How ECD centres can drive education and economic empowerment Why women’s leadership is key to thriving ECD ecosystems Resources mentioned in this episode: Marli Hoffman’s TEDx Talk – Preschoolers and Technology https://www.amicorpcommunityfoundation.org/ GROW Educare Centres SmartStart SA Masicorp Education Projects Breadline Africa If you believe in building a future where quality early learning is powered by local leadership, share this episode and join the conversation. #OurVoiceOurFuture #MarliHoffman #EarlyLearning #SocialEnterprise #ECD #BreadlineAfrica #Masicorp #PreschoolInnovation

    40 min

  6. 07/21/2025

    Ep 6:The Business of Early Learning- Rethinking Impact through Social

    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 the early childhood development (ECD) sector from surviving to thriving. From the digital classrooms of Little Ashford to scalable models like GROW Educare and SmartStart, we dive into how women-led ECD centres are building sustainable, high-quality learning spaces while empowering educators and families. Hosted by Kelsley Sharpley of Masicorp, this conversation bridges community infrastructure, women’s leadership, digital inclusion, and the future of ECD in South Africa. Episode coming soon

    4 min
  7. Episode 5: The Cost of the Future

    06/13/2025

    Episode 5: The Cost of the Future

    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 five is stunted due to chronic malnutrition. And 81% of Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning in any language. These aren’t just statistics – they’re signs of a system that fails to recognise early childhood development (ECD) as a vital public investment. Too often, children remain invisible in economic models, development strategies, and budget allocations. We’re joined by Kelly Morkel, a social policy expert and advocate for child-focused governance, to examine how ESG frameworks, SDG 4 (Quality Education), and long-term planning can – and must – centre children in public investment. In this episode, we discuss: - Why children are excluded from mainstream economic thinking - The long-term social and economic cost of underfunding ECD - How ESG and SDG 4 can reshape national priorities - What role must government, business and civil society play Be part of the movement to prioritise children in economic recovery and national planning because the cost of the future should never be paid by those with the least power to shape it. #OurVoiceOurFuture #ECDMatters #BudgetForChildren #BreadlineAfrica

    45 min
  8. Ep 4: Dare to Dream – Greg Bertish

    05/21/2025

    Ep 4: Dare to Dream – Greg Bertish

    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 illness, to sailing over 200km in a tiny Optimist dinghy to raise funds and inspire children in need, his life is a testament to the power of hope and determination. We explore how his love for the ocean helped him heal, how his experiences shaped a much-loved children’s book series and how The Little Optimist Trust is bringing optimism, sailing therapy and educational support to under-resourced schools and hospitals across South Africa. If you believe in the power of stories, imagination and possibility, this episode is for you. Find out more about Greg’s work: www.thelittleoptimist.org Support Breadline Africa’s mission: www.breadlineafrica.org

    42 min
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"Welcome to Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa—a podcast where real voices tell real stories that inspire change. This dynamic series brings together changemakers, influencers, journalists, children, community members, politicians, NGOs, and more to discuss the issues that matter most.
 With a commitment to inclusivity and community-led dialogue, Our Voice, Our Future provides a platform for crucial social issues, amplifying voices from diverse communities to spark awareness and drive action. Through meaningful discussions, we aim to educate, empower, and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.
 Join us for this compelling journey as we explore, educate, and inform through stories and conversations that empower communities to create lasting change. Together, we can make a difference."

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