About Our Voice, our future, Stories of hope to bring change
"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."
S2_ Ep 5:Why Are Working-Class Children Still Being Left Behind? | Jonathan Jansen & Eric Atmore
Why, despite decades of education policy and investment, do so many working-class children continue to experience unequal educational outcomes?
In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, Prof Eric Atmore and Prof Jonathan Jansen have an honest and wide-ranging conversation about the relationship between education policy, poverty and the lived experience of children.
If we have policies, programmes, educators and organisations working to improve children's lives, why are so many working-class children still being left behind?
Eric Atmore and Jonathan Jansen examine what happens when policy meets the reality of poverty, inequality, schools and communities — and consider what needs to change if South Africa is to create better educational opportunities for every child.
This isn't simply a conversation about schools.
It's a conversation about children, opportunity, inequality and the future of South Africa.
4 Aug 2026
S2_Ep 6: The Child Who Could Not Be Seen, Healthcare, access, and what it really costs a child not to be well.
Our Voice, Our Future is a podcast by Breadline Africa, sharing stories that inspire action and explore the issues shaping the lives of children and communities across Southern Africa.
In this episode, host Rachel Kolisi sits down with David Harrison, CEO of the DG Murray Trust and one of South Africa's leading voices on child health and early childhood development, to unpack why the first 1,000 days of a child's life are so critical and what happens when support arrives too late.
Together, they explore the realities faced by families living in communities where the nearest clinic is too far away, preventative healthcare is difficult to access, and poverty often determines a child's opportunity before they even begin school.
Links:
Breadline Africa: https://breadlineafrica.org/
Our Voice, Our Future Podcast: https://breadlineafrica.org/podcast-our-voice-our-future/
DG Murray Trust: https://dgmt.co.za/
Harnessing the Thunder by David Harrison: https://dgmt.co.za/publications/
South African National Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.za/
First 1,000 Days Initiative (Western Cape Government): https://www.westerncape.gov.za/first-1000-days
24 Jun 2026
Ep 3: Designing for Childhood: How Community Planning Shapes Child Wellbeing
What if the most important investment we could make in our children wasn't inside the classroom, but outside it?
In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, powered by Breadline Africa, host Kelly Morkel sits down with Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews to explore how urban planning can become one of the most powerful tools for improving early childhood development and creating stronger communities.
From safe walking routes and accessible green spaces to neighbourhoods where Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and schools become community anchors, this conversation examines how the places children grow up influence the adults they become.
The discussion also highlights Cape Town's efforts to strengthen the ECD sector, including support for more than 2,600 ECD centres and initiatives aimed at reducing barriers to registration and improving access for families.
Together, Kelly and Deputy Mayor Andrews unpack the role of government, communities, civil society and the private sector in creating child-friendly cities that are safer, healthier and more inclusive.
Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, urban planner or community leader, this episode offers practical insights into why designing cities for children means designing a better future for everyone.
Research & Articles
UNICEF South Africa – Early Childhood Development https://www.unicef.org/southafrica
Children's Institute, University of Cape Town – South African Child Gauge https://ci.uct.ac.za
Department of Basic Education – Early Childhood Development https://www.education.gov.za
Cape Town Today – Building the Future: Cape Town's Drive to Transform Early Childhood Development https://capetown.today/news/building-the-future-cape-towns-drive-to-transform-early-childhood-development
27 May 2026
S2 Ep2: The Device on Your Desk and the Child Who Needs It: How Circular Thinking is Closing Two Divides at Once
What if the laptop gathering dust in your office storeroom could become a child’s gateway to learning? In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we explore the powerful intersection of digital inclusion, education equity, and sustainability with Karin Boomsma, circular economy strategist and sustainability advocate from DigiCircle4All and TheRockGroup.
We unpack how circular technology solutions are helping to bridge both the digital divide and the opportunity divide, transforming retired corporate devices into educational tools while creating skills development and employment pathways for young people trained in device refurbishment.
Articles
Circular Economy & E-Waste
Digi Circlel 4 all
DigiCircle4all resource
World Economic Forum – A New Circular Vision for Electronics
https://www.weforum.org
Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Circular Economy and Electronics
https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
UNICEF – Digital Learning and the Education Divide
https://www.unicef.org
OECD – Bridging the Digital Divide in Education
https://www.oecd.org
South African Government – E-Waste and Digital Inclusion Policies
https://www.gov.za
17 Apr 2026
S2 Ep 1: The Inner World of Young Minds in a Noisy World Feat: Kayang Gagiano and Lisa Voortman
Our Voice, Our Future (Powered by Breadline Africa)
Season 2 Episode 1: The Inner World of Young Minds in a Noisy World
In today’s fast-moving, overstimulated world, childhood is changing.
In this episode of Our Voice, Our Future, host Kayang Gagiano, Chief Partnerships Officer at The Reach Trust, is joined by Lisa Voortman, Co-Founder of Grow ECD, to explore the emotional lives of young children growing up in increasingly “noisy” environments.
From digital overload and social comparison to bullying and emotional safety, this conversation unpacks how modern pressures shape early childhood and what caregivers, educators, and communities can do to create calmer, more nurturing spaces where children can truly thrive.
Resources & Further Reading
Grow ECD: https://www.growecd.org.za
Breadline Africa: https://breadlineafrica.org
The Reach Trust: https://www.thereachtrust.org/
Produced by Creafluence Pty Ltd
13 Apr 2026
S2 Ep 1: The Inner World of Young Minds in a Noisy World_Teaser
The season opens with a deeply personal exploration of childhood in the modern age.
Today’s children are growing up in environments filled with constant stimulation, digital noise, social comparison, emotional pressure, and rapid change. Beneath the surface, many are quietly asking questions they don’t yet have the language to express: Am I safe? Am I seen? Do I belong?
This episode steps into that inner world.
We explore how anxiety, overstimulation, exclusion, and bullying shape emotional development, not always through overt harm, but often through silence, disconnection, and unmet needs for belonging.
Guest:
Kayang Gagiano, Chief Partnerships Officer at The Reach Trust
Lia Voortman, Co-Founder and Director of Grow ECD
16 Mar 2026
Ep 4 Recap: Dare to Dream – Greg Bertish (Recap)
In this recap episode of Our Voice, Our Future, we reflect on one of the most inspiring conversations of the season, our discussion with ocean adventurer, heart surgery survivor and founder of The Little Optimist Trust, Greg Bertish.
Greg’s story reminds us that dreaming is not just about imagining a different future; it is about choosing hope, even in the most difficult moments. After spending nearly 200 days in hospital fighting a life-threatening illness, Greg rebuilt his life through courage, purpose and a deep connection to the ocean.
In this episode recap, we revisit the powerful themes from our conversation: resilience in the face of adversity, the healing power of the sea, and how one person’s dream can create real change for thousands of children.
We also look back at how Greg turned his experiences into the beloved Little Optimist children’s books and a movement that is bringing sailing therapy, optimism and educational support to under-resourced schools and hospitals across South Africa.
At its heart, this episode reminds us that when children are given hope, opportunity and imagination, their futures can change.
If you believe in the power of dreaming big and helping the next generation do the same, this recap is one to listen to.
Learn more about Greg’s work:
🌊 www.thelittleoptimist.org
Support the work of Breadline Africa:
📚 www.breadlineafrica.org
8 Feb 2026
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.
19 Dec 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
24 Nov 2025
Ep 1: Africa’s Nurturing Care Deficit — Why the Nurturing Care Framework Matters for Every Child_RECAP
Patricia Martin-Wiesner discusses the critical role of the Nurturing Care Framework in Africa and how it addresses systemic barriers impacting children's development in this interview.
1 Oct 2025
Ep 7: Season 1 Retrospective
The podcast hosts reflect on Season 1 of Our Voice, Our Future, highlighting key conversations about challenges and opportunities impacting children's lives in South Africa.
5 Aug 2025
Ep 6: The business of early learning: Rethinking impact through social enterprise
Marli Hoffman discusses how social enterprise models transform pre-schools into sustainable, women-led businesses that uplift communities in an interview with Kelsley Sharpley.
21 Jul 2025
Ep 6:The Business of Early Learning- Rethinking Impact through Social
Education innovator Marli Hoffman discusses social enterprise models that transform early childhood development centers into thriving, sustainable businesses, empowering educators and communities in an interview with Kelsley Sharpley.
13 Jun 2025
Episode 5: The Cost of the Future
Social policy expert Kelly Morkel analyzes how government decisions impact South Africa's youngest citizens, highlighting the critical need to prioritize early childhood development in economic planning; this is an interview.
15 May 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.
Full episode live next week
7 Apr 2025
Our voice, our future – Episode 3: The power of literacy
In this episode of Our voice, our future, powered by Breadline Africa, we explore the transformative power of literacy in shaping young lives and communities.
With 82% of South African grade four students unable to read for meaning, access to books and literacy programmes is more critical than ever.
Join us as we speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a groundbreaking initiative providing free, curriculum-aligned reading material to young learners across South Africa. We also hear from Dorette Louw from Book Dash, a non-profit dedicated to making high-quality, diverse children’s books freely available to under-resourced communities.
Every child deserves the right to read, to learn and to dream.
Credits:
Production: Creafluence Pty Ltd
Music: Pixabay_music
Images: Canva
Reference Articles:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/02/04/south-africa-afe-transforming-the-basic-education-sector-can-drive-inclusive-growth
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/learning-south-africa-evolving-education-landscape
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/02/south-africa-broken-and-unequal-education-perpetuating-poverty-and-inequality/
https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/south-africa-education-leading-trends-changing-learning-landscape
https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/371/237029.html
https://www.enca.com/analysis/over-80-10-year-old-south-africans-battle-read-study
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR7NW2jBldY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPgjx0TT4Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmUdvTQRbvQ
26 Mar 2025
Episode 3: The Power of Literacy_teaser
**Podcast Description: Our Voice, Our Future – Episode 3: The Power of Literacy**
In this episode of *Our Voice, Our Future*, powered by Breadline Africa, we explore the transformative power of literacy in shaping young lives and communities. With 78% of South African Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning, access to books and literacy programs is more critical than ever.
Join us as we speak with Derek Carelse from The Little Issue, a groundbreaking initiative providing free, curriculum-aligned reading material to young learners across South Africa. We also hear from Dorette Louw from Book Dash, a non-profit dedicated to making high-quality, diverse children’s books freely available to underprivileged communities.
Tune in as we discuss the barriers to literacy, the role of community-driven initiatives, and how innovative publishing models are helping to close the literacy gap.
#LiteracyForAll #OurVoiceOurFuture
17 Feb 2025
Our Voice, our future_ Ep 2: The pit toilet crisis
Thousands of South African schools still rely on unsafe pit toilets, putting children’s lives at risk every day. Despite promises of change, this crisis continues to impact education, health, and dignity.
In this episode, our host, Arafat Gatabazi, speaks with Brian Lewis, Director at Envirosan Sanitation Solutions, to explore:
* The reality of sanitation in South African schools
* The devastating effects of unsafe toilets on children’s safety and education
* How organisations like Breadline Africa and WaterAid SA are making a difference
* How you can take action to push for change
Take Action:
📍 Report unsafe school toilets: Safe Schools App
📢 Advocate for policy change
🤝 Support NGOs like Breadline Africa
Every child deserves a safe, dignified learning environment.
#SafeSchools #EndPitToilets #SanitationForAll #BreadlineAfrica
Credits:
Production: Creafluence PTY LTD
Video:
* YouTube Video 1
* YouTube Video 2
Music: Pixabay.com
Reference Links:
* Breadline Africa – Toilet Crisis
* GroundUp’s article
* BBC News – South Africa
* Amnesty International
* UNICEF
* UNICEF WASH Programmes
* WaterAid South Africa
* SA News – Pit Toilets Eradication
* Business Live – Sanitation & Education
4 Dec 2024
Our Voice, our future_Ep 1: Africa’s nurturing care deficit –Why the Nurturing Care Framework matters for every child's
If the old adage is true, “If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story, " a lot needs to be done to address Africa's nurturing care deficit and ensure that the future of children on the African continent is bright. The Nurturing Care Framework is a global strategy designed to ensure that every child has the chance to survive, grow, and reach their full potential. But despite this clear understanding, millions of children in Africa face significant barriers that prevent them from thriving.
To explore this complex issue, we're joined today by Patricia Martin-Wiesner a policy, organisational development, advocacy, and system’s strengthening expert specialising in rights-based governance to build human capital for sustainable development.
Discover how we can work together to bridge this critical gap and secure a brighter future for Africa’s children.
Credits
Produced by Creafluence PTY LTD
Video clips
· UNICEF Report | 23% of children in SA live in severe food poverty: Toby Fricker
https://youtu.be/Ug2_PGhtcBs?si=AVxnlAjq72ozctCv
· COP29 | Children across the globe hit by climate crisis
https://youtu.be/AqxK_icf6eo?si=xDdcN2gYUeD23lmd
· Nurturing Care Program in Siaya - Part One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EThtiAXnbXU
Music:
Licensor's Username:
https://pixabay.com/users/good_b_music-22836301/
Licensee:
u_ru7kovq3qd
Audio File Title:
Cinematic Chillhop Main
Audio File URL:
https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-chillhop-main-6676/
Pictures:
Pictures are licensed by Pixabay
Child face africa by Manuela Milani
Group Children Boy, education by Ean254 (Ian Ingalula)
Black and White Boy by Wendy Corniquet
Who has been a guest on Our Voice, our future, Stories of hope to bring change
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Patricia Martin-Wiesner
Marli Hoffman
Kelly Morkel
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 11 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
22
Social presence
0
YouTube
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Engagement
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Kelsley Sharpley host the show. Published by Breadline Africa.
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