The future is social entrepreneurship | Kerryn Krige | TEDxJohannesburgSalon
Summary
TLDRThe speaker from the Gordon Institute of Business Science delves into the concept of social entrepreneurship, using the example of a relationship with Ashley to illustrate the complexities of benevolence and inequality in South Africa. They challenge the traditional divide between for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, advocating for a middle ground where social entrepreneurs can thrive, balancing profit with social value. The talk emphasizes the need to recognize and support this sector to accelerate social and economic change in South Africa.
Takeaways
- π The speaker is from the Gordon Institute of Business Science and aims to demystify social entrepreneurship in South Africa.
- π€ The speaker reflects on the personal impact of giving to Ashley, questioning who truly benefits from acts of charity.
- π° The speaker discusses the potential negative impacts of benevolence, such as perpetuating the divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots'.
- π The divide in South Africa is highlighted through the contrast between the country's strong financial indicators and weak social development.
- π The Global Competitiveness Index and the Human Development Index are used to illustrate the stark differences in South Africa's economic and social standings.
- π The speaker argues that economic growth alone cannot solve social issues and that social opportunities for all are urgently needed.
- π‘ The concept of profit as a counter to benevolence is introduced, suggesting it could be a key to bridging the social and economic divide.
- π The speaker challenges the traditional dichotomy between for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, proposing social entrepreneurship as a middle ground.
- π Three key lessons are shared: social entrepreneurs are catalysts, not world-changers; they value social and economic rewards; and they thrive in constrained markets.
- π Social entrepreneurship is positioned as a disruptor, not because it's new, but because it's often overlooked in the spectrum of social and economic development.
- π± The speaker calls for recognition and support of social entrepreneurship as a means to accelerate social and economic change in South Africa.
Q & A
What is the main motivation behind the author's decision to write the book on social entrepreneurship?
-The author was motivated to write the book to transform the intangible concept of social entrepreneurship into a more concrete understanding, especially in the context of South Africa, and to address the disconnect between the economic and social development sectors.
What is the story of Ashley that the author shares in the script?
-Ashley is a person the author regularly interacts with at a traffic light. The author gives Ashley money, initially sporadically but later regularly every Monday, to provide a predictable source of income. This story serves as a reflection on the nature of benevolence and its potential to perpetuate social divides.
How does the author describe the divide in South Africa between the 'haves' and 'have-nots'?
-The author describes the divide as a stark reality in South Africa, evident in the disparities between the quality of life in affluent areas like Kaya Sands and the rest of the country. This divide is also reflected in the Global Competitiveness Index, where South Africa ranks high in financial indicators but low in social development metrics.
What is the Global Competitiveness Index and how does it reflect South Africa's situation?
-The Global Competitiveness Index is a tool that provides a snapshot of a country's performance and compares it with others. South Africa scores well in financial indicators but poorly in social development, including education quality, labor market cooperation, and health indicators, reflecting the country's economic strength versus its social challenges.
What is the author's view on the relationship between economic growth and social development in South Africa?
-The author believes that economic growth alone cannot be solely responsible for uplifting the social development in South Africa. The country's social development is weak and is imploding its economic development, indicating a need for a more balanced approach.
What is the main argument the author makes against relying solely on benevolence in social development?
-The author argues that benevolence, while well-intentioned, can perpetuate inequality by creating a dynamic of 'haves' and 'have-nots'. Instead, the author suggests that introducing profit into social development can create a relationship of choice, which may be more equitable.
What is the author's perspective on the role of profit in social entrepreneurship?
-The author sees profit as a potential equalizer in social development. By introducing profit, the dynamic shifts from one of charity to one of choice, where services are accessed based on need and value rather than charity.
What are the three lessons the author shares from their journey of understanding social entrepreneurship?
-The three lessons are: 1) Social entrepreneurs are catalysts of change, not world-changers. 2) Social entrepreneurs are not driven by financial excess but by value and the desire for social and economic impact. 3) Social entrepreneurs operate in complex environments and can teach us about thriving under constraints and identifying opportunities for social value.
How does the author challenge common misconceptions about social entrepreneurs?
-The author challenges the misconception that social entrepreneurs run small, survivalist organizations and that social entrepreneurship is a new concept. They argue that social enterprises can be large, global, and have a long history, with examples like Unilever and the insurance industry.
What is the author's call to action at the end of the script?
-The author calls for recognition and support of social entrepreneurship as a norm, rather than an exception, to bridge the gap between economic and social development in South Africa and accelerate change.
What is the significance of the story about the Scottish clergymen and the start of the insurance industry?
-The story illustrates that social entrepreneurship is not a new concept and that it has been a part of society for centuries. It shows how social needs can inspire innovative solutions that have lasting impacts on society and the economy.
Outlines
π€ The Intangible Concept of Social Entrepreneurship
The speaker begins by addressing the common question of what social entrepreneurship is, a topic they specialize in at the Gordon Institute of Business Science. They express the difficulty of defining it succinctly, as their explanations often lead to people losing interest. The speaker's motivation for writing a book on the subject stems from a desire to make social entrepreneurship tangible and understandable in the South African context. They share a personal anecdote about giving money to Ashley, a man at a traffic light, to illustrate the complexities of benevolence and its potential to perpetuate social divides. The speaker grapples with the ethical implications of their actions, questioning who truly benefits from such relationships and whether their acts of kindness might inadvertently sustain societal inequalities.
πΌ The Role of Profit in Social Development
The speaker discusses the limitations of relying solely on economic growth to drive social development, using South Africa as a case study. They highlight the stark contrast between the country's strong financial indicators and its poor performance in social development metrics, such as education and health. The speaker argues that profit, often associated with exploitation, could be a counterbalance to benevolence and a means to create social opportunities for all. They explore the dichotomy between for-profit businesses and not-for-profit charities, questioning why society relies on these extremes to address complex social and economic issues. The speaker challenges the audience to consider the potential of social entrepreneurship, which exists between these two poles, to bridge the gap and create sustainable social change.
π Three Lessons from Social Entrepreneurship
The speaker reflects on their journey to understand social entrepreneurship and shares three key lessons. Firstly, social entrepreneurs are not driven by the desire to change the world but to catalyze change, empowering others to take the lead. Secondly, the question of how much a social entrepreneur should earn is reframed; they are not motivated by excess but by the value of social and economic impact. Lastly, the speaker observes that social entrepreneurs are adept at thriving in constrained environments, seeing opportunities where others see challenges. They highlight the importance of recognizing and supporting social entrepreneurship as a means to accelerate social and economic development in South Africa.
π± Encouraging Social Entrepreneurship for Accelerated Change
In the final paragraph, the speaker calls for a collective effort to encourage and support social entrepreneurship in South Africa. They dispel common misconceptions about social entrepreneurs, emphasizing that they are not just small, survivalist organizations and that the concept is not new but has been overlooked. The speaker urges the audience to explore the middle ground between for-profit and not-for-profit models, recognizing social enterprises as legitimate organizations. They conclude by posing a question to the audience about what can be done to foster an environment where social entrepreneurship can thrive, thereby accelerating social and economic change in the country.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Social Entrepreneurship
π‘Benevolence
π‘Inequality
π‘Profit
π‘Social Development
π‘Human Development Index (HDI)
π‘Disruptors
π‘For-Profit vs. Not-for-Profit
π‘Catalysts of Change
π‘Accountability
π‘Opportunity
Highlights
Social entrepreneurship is an intangible concept that needs to be transformed into a tangible noun in South Africa.
The speaker's motivation for writing the book was to understand and define social entrepreneurship.
Ashley's story illustrates the complexities of benevolence and the potential perpetuation of social divides.
Benevolence can inadvertently perpetuate the divide between the haves and have-nots in South Africa.
The Global Competitiveness Index reveals South Africa's strengths in financial indicators and weaknesses in social development.
South Africa's economic growth is not translating into social upliftment due to weak social development.
The Human Development Index of 2014 places South Africa's quality of life on par with war-torn countries like Syria.
The need for social opportunities for all as an alternative to relying solely on economic sector growth.
Profit as a counter to benevolence, shifting relationships from charity to choice in social development.
Social entrepreneurship sits in the middle of the for-profit and not-for-profit spectrum, blurring traditional boundaries.
Social entrepreneurs are catalysts for change, encouraging others to take the lead rather than imposing their views.
Social entrepreneurs are not driven by financial excess but by a deep sense of value and social impact.
Social entrepreneurs operate in complex environments, often seeing opportunities where traditional business does not.
Social entrepreneurship is not a new concept, with roots in historical examples like Unilever and insurance.
The speaker challenges the audience to explore the middle ground between economic and social development.
Recognizing and supporting social enterprises as organizations is crucial for accelerating change in South Africa.
The call to action is to encourage and make social entrepreneurship thrive in South Africa for social and economic acceleration.
Transcripts
so what is social entrepreneurship it's
a question I'm asked often and when I'm
expected to have an answer for as I work
here at the Gordon institute of business
science in social entrepreneurship but
my answer is long and rambling and I
noticed people looking at their watches
and hightailing it to the exit science
halfway through and this was the
motivation behind writing the book is to
really get an understanding as to what
social entrepreneurship is in South
Africa to transform it from this
intangible concept into a noun something
you can see feel and touch I'd like to
share a story with you and it's a story
of Ashley Ashley's my guy at the traffic
light of the robot ash and I chat on my
commute home from work and I give Ashley
money when I have it but then
understanding some of the theories of
development I know that a predictable
source of income is one of the best ways
you can enable someone to take that
first step up to take that first step up
out of their circumstances and so I
started to give ash a regular amount of
money every Monday but it was in writing
a book that I realized I was answering a
lot of the questions I had but I wasn't
actually leaving completely fulfilled
because I was being left with more
questions and the big question that was
sitting with me will was who is
benefiting from this relationship
between Ashley and I because sure ash
gets money and I'm sure he can go and
afford a box of cigarettes if that's
what he wants to buy but I would drive
away every time with a deep sense of
goodwill a deep confidence in my
humanity a quiet knowledge that I am a
good person
am i a good person am i a good person
the act of giving is very anchored in
benevolence and benevolence means
deliberate goodwill its opposite is
malevolence deliberate ill-will the
thing about when I was being benevolent
this act of kindness I realized that I
was perpetuating a divides that we are
urgently trying to eradicate in South
Africa and that is the divide of heaven
have nots in giving - Ashleigh i'ma
haves
he is a have nots I'm fortunate he's
less fortunate privileged less
privileged but the thing about this flow
of events is that benevolence underpins
our charity and charity and the pins are
Social Development and I asked myself
are we deliberately inadvertently but
still perpetuating the divide of
inequality rather than bridging it
through our social development
this is South Africa this is a picture
taken in kaya sands that very starkly
shows us what our inequality is what the
difference is between the haves and the
have-nots but we can look at the
statistics to back this up there's a
lovely tool called the Global
Competitiveness Index which takes gives
you a snapshot of your country and
allows you to compare it to a whole lot
of others the latest one 140 other
countries and South Africa does so well
in our financial indicators we lead in
things like the working of our corporate
boards the regulation of our securities
exchanges our ability to access equity
financing we lead the index but what
happens at the bottom Social Development
bottom of the index for the quality of
our maths and science education bottom
of the index for the cooperation that
exists in our labor markets and leading
in the bottom ranks in terms of our
health indicators the impact of HIV and
TB
what the index tells us is that we are
in theory doing things great great
financial institutions underpin a great
economy economic growth broadens our
middle class the middle class naturally
uplifts people out of poverty it's a
narrative we hear but the thing that's
happening in South Africa is that our
social development is so weak it's
imploding our economic development we
can't rely on the one to lead the other
the economy cannot be solely responsible
for uplifting the complexity of social
development that is required in South
Africa if you have any doubts as to how
or for our social development is look to
the Human Development Index of 2014 the
Human Development Index is a lovely
index it kind of tracks the environment
that your country creates that allows
you to thrive so how are you able to
gain knowledge because you have access
to great education what is your ability
to lead a long life because you have
access to great health care and the one
that I particularly love is what is your
ability to act on opportunity because
you have access to disposable income in
2014 South Africa shared a rank with
Syria and was one above Iraq this is a
picture of Syria taken in January of
2014 the citizens of this country share
the same quality of life as a citizens
of ours we cannot continue to expect the
economic sector to uplift our social
development we urgently need to look at
how we create social opportunities for
all I would argue that benevolence in
perpetuating the inequality is not where
we should be looking to for answers but
that the answer the counter to
benevolence is actually a word that is
deeply tainted with abuse it's deeply
tainted with exploitation and that word
is profit
profit is a quote a great equalizer when
you start introducing profit into social
development you shift the benevolence to
a relationship of choice I choose to
access the service you're offering me
not I have to access the service you're
offering me because it's free you're
giving it to me
when we look at the for-profit and
not-for-profit landscape the profit
landscape in South Africa there are
these two polar sites these polar
opposite sides of the spectrum the
for-profit organizations is business we
know it well they earn an income they
earn a profit the relationship between
custom and corporates is decided largely
by us I choose to consume on the other
side is the not-for-profit the
not-for-profit organizations are charity
organizations the relationship there is
one of donor and beneficiary the
for-profit side of the spectrum
generates economic value the
not-for-profit side of the spectrum
generates social value the social value
is is underpinned by benevolence and I
ask you but what's happening in the
middle why are we relying on two
opposite ends of the spectrum to deliver
such complexity of social and economic
development what happens in between
those two pillars and this is the answer
that I always struggle to provide
because this is the world of social
entrepreneurship this is why there's no
definition for social entrepreneurship
because it doesn't sit neatly in a box
it sits across a spectrum you will meet
lots of social entrepreneurs online you
will meet them through your TED Talks
the one thing you will notice is that
they are all different and they all
identify differently some more with
for-profit organizations others with
not-for-profit organizations so if I
can't give you a definition of social
entrepreneurship and that really was one
of the objectives I was hoping to get in
writing the book the disruptors if I
can't give you a definition what can I
give you so I have three lessons three
lessons not four three that really
I found the enlightening side of this
journey into understanding this
complexity of social enterprise
the first is is that our social
entrepreneurs do not like to repeat that
they do not exist to change the world
in fact develop a deep allergy for
people who profess to change the world
because that is an approach that is
anchored in benevolence because whose
world are you changing and to what are
you imposing your view of how the world
should be versus what that person's view
should be our social entrepreneurs
instead recognize that they are in a
blurs the catalysts of change they make
things happen that encourage others to
take the lead the second it's really an
answer to a question that I'm often
asked in the classroom which is well how
much should a social entrepreneur earn
if you're going to introduce profits
into the equation then it's endless
should a social entrepreneur be able to
afford a Ferrari drive a Ferrari a
helicopter a yacht and again if we're
going to start looking at what happens
in the middle of the spectrum we need to
reframe our questions because they don't
stay the same
our social entrepreneurs are not driven
by the financial rewards of consumerism
yes of course they want to send their
kids to good schools they want to be
able to travel in afford a decent life
but they are not motivated by excess and
they have a deep sense of value and they
see success in both social and economic
rewards in social and economic change
the last point is really an observation
that I've picked up over a fair amount
of time are trying to understand this
crazy world of social entrepreneurship
and that is I really believe our social
entrepreneurs are our soup entrepreneurs
as the global economy continues to be
constrained and looks like it will be
constrained for a very long time it's
our social entrepreneurs that we can
learn from because let's be honest these
are folk who deliver goods and services
in highly constrained markets they are
after all the people who are taking the
best that business has to offer it's
focusing on accountability it's focus on
profit and balancing that the best that
civil society has to offer its focus on
social value and being able to operate
in complex environments
social entrepreneurs operates in places
where business just does not even see
because they don't see opportunity there
is so much that we can learn from them
about thriving in constraint and also
about where do we see opportunity
because when many people see negativity
those indicators on health are
indicators and educational social
entrepreneurs actually see opportunity
they see opportunity not purely and how
do how much money can I make but in what
is the social value that I can deliver
if I enact or act on this opportunity so
they are the folks who see those health
indicators on the global competitiveness
index and say you know what I'm going to
set up a low-cost high quality highly
accessible clinic in communities where
people struggle to access health care
there the folk who's shifting that
serious statistic to myths about social
entrepreneurship the first is is that
social entrepreneurs run very small
survivalist organizations that are very
driven by them this is not the case our
social enterprises are often large they
often global and you will meet different
people who run organizations with a
global footprint and multi-million R and
multi-million dollar budgets the second
is that social entrepreneurship is not
new this is something that we seem to
stumbled across we seem to think it's
this new amazing thing it's not new we
kind of forgot about it in the 70s when
we started to focus on big business and
big society we look no further than an
organization like you need Eva which
started off as lever brothers but the
founder was sitting watching women
washing clothes in a stream it was cold
as miserable it's in the UK
and he was what can I do to improve the
lives of these women and being a chemist
he came up with a concept of lathering
soap and that is sunlight soap
sunlight soap being the cornerstone of
the Unilever Empire today the
opportunity is spotted in the society by
looking at how we interact with each
other differently
the second example is just a lovely
story that I enjoy but this is from the
1790s where two Scottish clergymen were
appalled by the destitution that their
colleagues found themselves in so in
clergy died their families were left
destitute because women weren't allowed
to work they couldn't earn and so
families would end up on the streets
so Webster and Wallis who apparently
loved a good glass of wine and I imagine
a lot of this happened in the pub sat
down and they worked out a fund that the
clergy could contribute to during their
lifetimes that would pay out on their
death there's a sound familiar this is
insurance the start of the massive
insurance industry sits in how people
are viewing their world it's also not a
Western or European concept we look no
further than our stock fells and our
cooperatives to see how communities band
together to generate social and economic
profit for themselves these are the
principles of social entrepreneurship
cooperatives and stock fells are age-old
principles in South Africa this is not a
new concept so what am I asking of you
am I asking you to stop giving I'm not
asking you just to stop giving to
charity any more than I'm asking you to
stop shopping at your local for profit
you need the opposite ends of the
spectrum to anchor the work in social
and economic change but what I am asking
is that we start exploring this middle
because this is the disruption we
currently regard our social
entrepreneurs as disruptors but the only
reason is that is the only reason that
they're disruptive is because we don't
see this middle as existing let's turn
them into a norm one of the first things
that we can do is to recognize social
enterprises as organizations as they've
done in the UK and the u.s. because if
we want to fast track change in South
Africa if we really want to accelerate
our social development if we want to
sell rate our economic development stop
their quiet implosion of the two as they
continue to pull each other apart we
need to focus on the middle so the
question I'm leaving you with is not
what is social entrepreneurship it's
rather what is it that we can do to
encourage social entrepreneurship in
South Africa to make it thrive so that
we can fast track and accelerate our
social and our economic change thank you
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