The future is social entrepreneurship | Kerryn Krige | TEDxJohannesburgSalon

Summary

The 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

• 📚 The speaker is from the Gordon Institute of Business Science and aims to demystify social entrepreneurship in South Africa.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the personal impact of giving to Ashley, questioning who truly benefits from acts of charity.
• 💰 The speaker discusses the potential negative impacts of benevolence, such as perpetuating the divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots'.
• 🌐 The divide in South Africa is highlighted through the contrast between the country's strong financial indicators and weak social development.
• 📉 The Global Competitiveness Index and the Human Development Index are used to illustrate the stark differences in South Africa's economic and social standings.
• 🔄 The speaker argues that economic growth alone cannot solve social issues and that social opportunities for all are urgently needed.
• 💡 The concept of profit as a counter to benevolence is introduced, suggesting it could be a key to bridging the social and economic divide.
• 🔄 The speaker challenges the traditional dichotomy between for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, proposing social entrepreneurship as a middle ground.
• 🌟 Three key lessons are shared: social entrepreneurs are catalysts, not world-changers; they value social and economic rewards; and they thrive in constrained markets.
• 🚀 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.
• 🌱 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.