Here’s a bright idea amidst the global energy crisis – a project that turns a child’s love of soccer into a way to generate and store energy for later use. It’s called sOccket, and it’s coming to a level playing field near you.

There’s a commonly shared belief in sustainable development that if you empower women, you empower an entire community. Because, let’s face it, women are most often the threads that bind; without them entire communities would unravel and pretty quickly.

What do most South Africans have daily access to? Cellphones. What do many more not have access to? Employment.  Could the one be used to help alleviate the other? Txteagle (www.txteagle.com) seems to think so. In fact they call it “ empowering the largest knowledge workforce on earth”. 

The Sustainable Supply Chain Management Conference 2009, taking place at the Reserve Bank Conference Centre in Pretoria from 17-18 November 2009, offers both local and international sustainability experts' views on innovative supply chain solutions to improve efficiency, reduce risk and achieve lasting financial savings.

For 20 years the Mail & Guardian’s annual Investing in the Future Awards have celebrated the contributions made by corporate South Africa to the country’s future. The awards not only showcase excellence in corporate social investment (CSI) and responsibility, but serve as a platform for discussion around best practice in the corporate world.

Meet RockCorps – a social enterprise that lets young people “buy” their big concert tickets through “sweat equity” (volunteering) – and the man who is bringing it to SA – Matthew Karpinski. RockCorps has a vision of getting as many young people as possible to experience volunteer work, and discover how enjoyable and rewarding it is to help out.

Meet Dr Francois Bonnici, a medical doctor by training and Head of Africa and Middle East for the Schwab Foundation by passion.

The Schwab Foundation’s mission is to raise global awareness around social entrepreneurship as a key element to advance societies and address social challenges in an innovative and effective manner.

In the first of his monthly meanderings, Peter Shrimpton, Founder of heart, pleads the case for Social Innovation in South Africa…. We know the facts. Every day, the very livelihood, dignity and survival of people in need come under attack from a number of hybrid aggressors – from water to food, disease to wars. In Africa, the numbers are so great that people have become statistics, bell curves on flip charts and Powerpoints.

Vulnerable groups in Bulgaria are receiving aid through the countrys Social Investment and Employment Promotion Project. The project has renovated and rebuilt institutes of education, as well as places where the countrys disadvantaged can find work. One such place is a clothing factory in the city of Stara Zagora, where most of the employees are hearing impaired

DAN TISCH and KATHRYN WORTSMAN exemplify the qualities of a new kind of professional - the Venture Philanthropist. They are two of the founding members of Social Venture Partners Toronto, a group of 43 successful professionals who commit their time, money and expertise to not-for-profits.

East Africa Breweries (EABL), through its corporate social investment division - EABL Foundation, has confirmed plans to step up environmental promotion and awareness programs in four East African countries.

People who have an interest in social causes are finding ways to incorporate that passion into business.
You may be a voluntary organisation looking to establish a social enterprise as a way of reducing your reliance on grant funding. This move from voluntary sector to business concern can involve a change of organisational culture and a period of intense learning.

Cape Town - Acting President Kgalema Motlanthe has urged South Africans to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate in their respective communities on Madiba Day, 18 July.

Summit TV speaks to award winning social entrepreneur Peter Shrimpton from Heart Social Investment about how to invest and make money while working for the greater good. Semeyi Zake: Welcome to Business Q&A. Peter Shrimpton is chief executive of the Heart Social Investment Company. Peter, why should investors be interested in social investment?

Summit TV speaks to award winning social entrepreneur Peter Shrimpton from Heart Social Investment about how to invest and make money while working for the greater good.

Johannesburg - At a luncheon held yesterday to celebrate Primedia Crime Line’s second birthday The Citizen was recognised for its outstanding service and support for the initiative. Speaking at the ceremony at Silver Sands Casino, Crime Line Head Yusuf Abramjee said the initiative had been very successful in getting information from the tip-offs coming into crime line. “We have arrested and deported illegal immigrants and people wanted for various crimes including murder, robbery and rape.” he said.

What began with a loan of $27 to 42 women in a small village 33 years ago, has grown into a global microcredit movement that has changed the lives of millions of poor people around the world. Muhammad Yunus, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, was the guest speaker at Wharton's MBA commencement on May 17 and the recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree during the University of Pennsylvania's commencement on May 18. Yunus, a 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, spoke at the event about his successes, challenges and upcoming initiatives.

After years when billions have been spent on aid in Africa, donors are now picking up on a new trend to put their money on the continent's entrepreneurs. In June a meeting in Cape Town, of the World Economic Forum on Africa, is set to reinforce the message that "trade, not aid'' represents salvation for a continent where an average 5% growth in the past five years is projected to fall to 1.5% this year amid the global economic downturn.

Though we are experiencing the worst capital market crisis since the 1930s, the current reality is not wholly without its positive attributes. As we look to our economic future, we already see a renewal of practices rooted in our past – practices many of us overthrew in our collective drive to secure short-term returns.

New technologies, ethical considerations and the rise of social networking will dramatically change banking industry dynamics, says Gartner.

According to findings by the research company, social banking platforms will continue to grow and take hold in the retail lending and financial planning areas. This growth will be spurred on by investments in financial social networks and increasing consumer interest.