Sustainable social impact in a changing world

Creating and measuring social impact must, by necessity, be as dynamic as the socio-economic context it is responding to.

Creating and measuring social impact must, by necessity, be as dynamic as the socio-economic context it is responding to. Strengthening our approach to social investment involves applying and sharing lessons learnt, and using them to develop evidence-based approaches to creating and measuring social impact over time. Building on the lessons we have learnt as Tshikululu over 26 years in the social investment space, we have identified three key elements that we see as central to achieving sustainable impact now and in the future:

Collaboration and partnerships

Lasting and meaningful impact cannot be driven by any single factor. Addressing complex and intersectional social issues requires collaboration across sectors, including government, business, non-profit organisations, academia, and local communities. Collaborative approaches enable the pooling of resources, expertise, and diverse perspectives to tackle multi-faceted challenges holistically. Successful social impact initiatives are characterised by strong partnerships that foster innovation, leverage collective strengths, and maximise impact at scale.

For example, recognising the significant role played by the mining sector, we have partnered with the Minerals Council South Africa, whose key role is to facilitate interaction among the mining sector to examine policy issues monitoring and other matters of mutual concern, to crystallise and define desirable industry standpoints. This partnership has seen the start of an impact dialogue series with its members. We are also partnering with key actors in the impact investing space, including African Alliance Asset Management and Impact Investing South Africa, to connect global investors with innovative African impact investment opportunities and help to strengthen the domestic impact investing ecosystem.

Through these partnerships, Tshikululu is creating an interconnected network of like-minded organisations, driving towards the shared goal of social impact. The insights gained within this
network will provide unprecedented access to innovation that will drive the sector forward.

Impact measurement and data-driven decision making

The future of social impact will continue to be shaped by innovative technologies and our ability to gather, understand and act on data that drives systemic change and empowers communities. As the development sector becomes increasingly results-oriented and transparency-focused, there is a growing emphasis on impact measurement and data-driven decision making.

Social investors and corporates, across the board, require evidence of outcomes and effectiveness

to ensure that their investments are making a meaningful difference. Harnessing data and evidence allows organisations to assess the efficacy of their interventions, identify areas for improvement, and allocate resources strategically. In the future, advances in impact measurement methodologies, data analytics, and evaluation practices will drive greater transparency, accountability, and innovation in the development sector, ultimately leading to more impactful and sustainable solutions.

Tshikululu is helping to drive the conversation forward by synthesising information from diverse sources, from the collaborative webinars we host to the diverse measurement challenges we solve for our clients.

Governance and bold, collaborative leadership

Through our work with decision-makers in various contexts, we have recognised the necessity for leadership that understands the long-term nature of change and insists on moving beyond superficial “tick-box” approaches. Leaders who adopt a forward-thinking approach to ESG and other social impact frameworks, viewing them as a driver for positive transformation rather than merely a compliance exercise, will be crucial for advancing progress.

Additionally, our changing world demands leaders who are committed to navigating the challenges inherent in collaboration and innovation. We need more individuals who deeply understand diverse communities, champion inclusive decision making, and uphold solid governance and ethical values.