South Africa’s story is not only one of crisis, it is also a story of people working together to make things better. Across the country, individuals, organisations and businesses are expanding access to services, strengthening communities and building solutions that advance dignity and human rights. These efforts may not always make headlines but together they are steadily shaping a more hopeful future.
It is these efforts that Hope Is a Verb seeks to bring into the national conversation.
Established by FINE for Good, the platform was created after bearing witness to the remarkable work being done across communities, healthcare and social institutions, work that mainly goes unnoticed. Hope Is a Verb was born from the belief that if these stories of collaboration and impact were brought into the light, they could help shift the national narrative from despair to possibility.
The 6th Hope Is a Verb Convening, held on 24 March, brought together leaders from across sectors to explore how human rights are being advanced through the work of organisations improving the lived realities of South Africans.
What emerged was clear: meaningful change rarely happens in isolation. Progress takes shape where organisations connect, where communities, institutions, businesses and government work together.
Opening the conversation, Lael Bethlehem of Genesis Analytics reflected on the broader economic landscape shaping these efforts, highlighting how investment and policy influence organisations’ ability to scale impact.
Dr David Jankelow of the South African Heart Association shared Check My Beat, an initiative supporting the heart health of taxi drivers. Using AI-powered screening and personalised Maskandi songs, the initiative makes preventative care accessible while sparking wider conversations about cardiovascular health.
Louise Turner of the Breast Health Foundation highlighted how partnerships are improving breast cancer awareness and early detection in rural areas, expanding access to life-saving services.
Dr Sue Tager, CEO of Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, spoke about strengthening healthcare through specialist training, enabled by a unique public-private partnership building clinical capacity.
Rutendo Bothma and Naomi Hill of Wits RHI shared how their work supports marginalised communities through inclusive healthcare services.
Adding a government perspective, Kaamil Alli of the DTIC reflected on how economic participation contributes to building more inclusive communities.
Together, these voices highlighted a shared truth: progress accelerates when people work together. Through its convening programme, Hope Is a Verb continues to spotlight the partnerships shaping South Africa’s future, reminding us that hope is built through action.
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