Systemic Social Investing (SSI): A pioneering way of thinking

In late 2013, Tshikululu Social Investments conceptualised the idea of Systemic Social Investment (SSI) and presented it to some of its leading clients. At the time, talking about social investment and systems change in the same sentence was something very new – both to ourselves, our clients and other stakeholders. Up until then, systems change “thinking” was very far from traditional corporate social investment approaches. It represented a fundamental (if not radical) change to how social investors should think about their social investment and its potential to drive large-scale change.

SSI requires investors to shift towards deliberately making catalytic investments that will shape or change the actual systemswithin which their current initiatives work. It offers an opportunity to enact change while moving beyond thinking about individuals and individual organisations, single problems and single solutions. It entails thinking about systems – policy systems, education systems, social service systems, information systems, technology systems.

Tshikululu has sinceconceptualised, programme managed and implementeda number of SSI initiatives aimed at changing the sectors that our clients operate in.

At a conceptual level, we’ve helped to co-develop (with our clients and other partners) a number of key programmes in the country. Amongst these is a programme to promote the development of black African South African academics to become established researchers and to gain national and international recognition as researchers. We have also played a lead role – as one of four donor partners – in launching a programme to reduce the prevalence of stunting among South Africa’s children (which is estimated at 31% in children under two).

In all of our SSI activities, we hold true to several fundamental principles, including focus and partnerships. To drive systems’ change, you need to be laser-focused on identifying and pulling the “right” levers – those places within the system where targeted intervention can have outsized impact on a broader scale. In addition, Tshikululu has helped our clients to forge and manage complex, multi-faceted partnerships, particularly with like-minded donors and government. Such partnerships are fundamental given the limited resources – financial, technical and physical – in the development sector. Strategic public and/or private partnerships also decrease risk and exposure for any one single donor.

When implementing SSI, it’s necessary to be “hands-on” in the work we do. On behalf of our clients, Tshikululu sits on Boards, Excos, steering committees, partnership and investment forums, and other structures. This type of representation is critical to “influence and drive” our clients’ strategic intent, as well as monitor and add value to implementation.

Measurementis another key principle underpinning our approach to SSI. Although grantmakers have traditionally required the tracking of goals, objectives, outputs and outcomes, these have generally been at programmatic level. In the case of SSI, measurement is done at both systemic (macro) and programmatic (micro) levels. Given that systems change is an unavoidably long-term intervention, it is important to identify short- and medium-term milestones and indicators to track progress while keeping one’s eyes on the long-term horizon. Such dynamic measurement approaches allow for course-correction where necessary, as well as continuous learning and improvement.

Fundamentally, SSI is not emotionally attached to philanthropic, programmatic work nor is it brand or corporate loyal. It recognises that small programmes are important, but they are less sustainable without systemic change. It realises that more substantial investments may be required over a longer period, and that change will not happen overnight. This is Tshikululu’s approach to SSI which is intrinsically linked to our vision of achieving deep sustainable change. It is a privilege to work in this space and contribute to measurable sustainable impact.