The pit toilet crisis – a silent emergency in South African schools
It’s hard to believe that in 2025, thousands of children in South Africa still rely on pit toilets at school – facilities that are not only undignified but also unsafe and, in the worst cases, life-threatening. In the latest episode of Our voice, our future, powered by Breadline Africa, we unpack this ongoing crisis. But […]
The unseen crisis of period poverty in South Africa
By Mette Kirsten, Breadline Africa Period poverty remains a harsh reality for millions of girls around the world, with South Africa being no exception. On International Women’s Day 2025, it’s crucial that we draw attention to this issue, as it continues to impact the lives of young girls across the country. More than a […]
Building a brighter future for South Africa’s youngest learners: Lessons from 2024 to drive effective change in 2025
By Nyaradzo Mutanha, MERL SPECIALIST Breadline Africa Children under the age of six in South Africa face developmental challenges due to limited access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) services. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions to transform the lives of our youngest citizens. A 2024 report by UNICEF highlights significant hurdles […]
Vision clinics and libraries are transforming learning for South African children
10 October is World Sight Day – a global day of awareness that draws attention to vision impairment and the millions of people who lack access to essential vision care services. This year, at Breadline Africa, we’re reflecting on how vision care plays a crucial role in educational success, particularly in the underserved communities where […]
A wake-up call for the future: addressing Africa’s nurturing care deficit
By Patricia Martin-Wiesner, Advocacy Aid Director & Lene Øverland, COO Breadline Africa With the UN Summit of the Future set for September 2024 in New York, global leaders are being called upon to make concrete commitments toward sustainable development. However, child rights organisations across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa are sounding a critical alarm: the […]
Get ready for Funky Socks Day! 13 September 2024
Get ready to put your best foot forward! PNA, Breadline Africa and Sock Doctor are excited to announce Funky Socks Day 2024—a fun and meaningful way to support Early Childhood Development (ECD) in under-resourced communities across South Africa. We’re inviting schools, businesses, and individuals to wear their most colourful, crazy, and creative socks in support […]
Hope and sustainability as new ECD centre brings lifelong impact to Gugulethu
Transforming Early Childhood Development in Cape Town In the heart of Gugulethu, Cape Town, a beacon of hope and sustainability has emerged. The Masonwabe Educare Centre & Aftercare (Masonwabe), which serves 76 children under the age of six, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Hyve Group, Violence Prevention Through Urban […]
Unlocking Potential: How Vision Care Transforms Learning for South African Children
Millions of children suffer from undiagnosed vision problems, especially in under-resourced communities. This issue is particularly pressing in South Africa, where access to vision screening and eye care services is severely lacking. The Urgent Need for Vision Care in Under-Resourced Communities In many communities, basic healthcare services are overwhelmed or underfunded, leaving eye care as […]
Transforming lives: Development Bank of Southern Africa and Breadline Africa lead the fight against pit toilets.
In the Eastern Cape, 40 new toilet facilities replaced fear-inducing pit toilets, bringing relief to 427 children and 34 teachers. In April 2023, Breadline Africa embarked on a monumental mission: to eradicate pit toilets from 240 schools in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. At an estimated budget of R156 million, this ambitious […]
Breadline Africa takes it to 1,000
Five years ago, the team at Breadline Africa set themselves an ambitious goal – to take their modest infrastructure tally of just over 400 to 1,000 in just five years to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their founding in 1993 in style. On 17 February 2023, just a month and a half into the year, […]
Breadline Africa goes to the seaside!
If you ask any member of the Breadline Africa team what the best part of their job is, they will probably tell you that it’s seeing the expressions of joy on the faces of the children as they enter a new classroom, library, kitchen or toilet for the first time. But there are a few […]
Breadline Africa launches it’s 700th infrastructure unit!
From classrooms and soup kitchens to bathrooms and libraries, Breadline Africa has established 700 incredible rooms using shipping containers, and it has changed so many lives! Strand, South Africa (25 August 2021) – Friday, 27 August 2021 is a special day for Breadline Africa. The organisation will celebrate an exceptional milestone by handing over its […]
