After battling a life-threatening bacterial illness, which saw him spend nearly 200 days in the hospital, Greg Bertish’s journey of recovery was fuelled by optimism and a deep connection to the ocean. This resilience, born from his own fight for survival, transformed into a powerful mission to help many young lives.

Cape Town, South Africa (29 May 2025) – Author, adventurer and founder of The Little Optimist Trust, Greg Bertish, is one of those individuals who, after hearing their story, makes you stop and ponder at how unattainable the human spirit truly is.

Back in 2007, Greg spent nearly 200 days in the hospital battling a life-threatening bacterial illness, which, after being misdiagnosed and operated on several times, he thankfully overcame.

Through optimism and his love for the ocean, the multiple heart surgery survivor found a way to survive and reclaim his life in a profound way that has touched countless lives throughout the years.

In 2016, he undertook an extraordinary challenge to sail in a tiny children’s dinghy over 200km in the open ocean, 1km for every day he spent in the hospital.

His mission was to prove that small people can do huge things, a message that has resonated with countless patients, children and supporters. He raised over R300,000 for the new ICU at the Red Cross Children’s Memorial Hospital. That effort later resulted in raising over R1 million to renovate and paint the unit.

The Little Optimist Trust, led by Greg, now renovates and paints under-resourced health and education facilities all over South Africa.

Beyond structural revamps, the organisation brings hope to children in hospitals, shelters, and disadvantaged communities by using sailing therapy, storytelling and educational support to instil resilience, confidence and the ability to dream beyond their circumstances.

During a recent conversation on the Our Voice, Our Future podcast by Breadline Africa, Greg spoke about how the ocean was his lifeline, as a young boy who was often bullied, a Springbok paddleboarder and as a survivor of a life-threatening illness.

“Everything good in my life has come from a link to the ocean or the water,” he said.

Helping little people do huge things

Today, he uses what helped him heal to heal others – sailing as a therapeutic tool to children in under-resourced communities, instilling resilience, confidence and the ability to dream beyond their circumstances.

Greg has found that sailing transcends all socio-economic factors for children of different backgrounds. Whether they are facing a serious illness, poverty at home or bullying at school, when they’re in the dinghy, they gain new skills, self-confidence, independence and pride through accomplishment.

His advice to youngsters going through rough patches, difficult circumstances, or just trying to find their feet is rooted in believing in themselves.

“There is no one person, there is no one place. There is nothing that says you are not as good as someone else. Don’t worry about why you are not as good as other people. You will find something that you are better at than all of them.

“And if you believe and you don’t give up on your dreams however silly they might seem, follow what you love doing and realise how special you are, one day you’ll do something that you love, its going to benefit you and your life is going to be so much better and more enriched.”

Sources: Breadline Africa | The Little Optimist Trust

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Thanks to a new school kitchen made possible by Breadline Africa, over 2000 learners will have warm and nutritious meals daily.

Diepsloot, South Africa (08 May 2025) — A Primary School in Diepsloot, Gauteng, now has a new, kitted-out means to ensure that their learners will receive nutritious meals every day thanks to a new school kitchen made possible by Breadline Africa!

Breadline Africa are longtime champions of Early Childhood Development support. As such, the organisation has an in-depth understanding of the challenges that little learners in under-resourced areas face.

Amid the many areas of focus the non-profit has (which range from ECD practitioner training to providing play materials for learners and giving them adventure days), nutrition is high up on the list.

Because nutrition is essential for learning, growing and developing effectively and considering that many learners in impoverished areas will only receive their most nutritious meal at school, the new school kitchen is set to make a world of difference in many lives.

Previously, there was a kitchen space for the school that had become far too cramped and under-equipped for the amount of learners relying on it.

Handed over to Diepsloot Primary School No. 4 this April, Breadline Africa explains that the new kitchen is fully equipped, prefabricated, and already happily serving over 2,000 learners’ meals daily thanks to the small team of hard-working cooks.

“This collaboration demonstrates how businesses and NGOs can work together to bridge gaps and support one another.” reflected Principal Johannes Makhafola of Breadline’s corporate partner who helped make the project possible. 

Meanwhile in more news from Breadline Africa; last month the team on the ground in KwaZulu-Natal aimed efforts at tackling a deeply concerning issue: the continued reliance on unsafe and undignified pit toilets in schools and ECD centres. Read more, here.

Sources: Breadline Africa 

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Despite the damp and chilly weather gripping KwaZulu-Natal, Breadline Africa’s team has been on the ground, tackling a deeply concerning issue: the continued reliance on unsafe and undignified pit toilets in schools and ECD centres.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (17 April 2025) – It’s been a rainy and cold week in several parts of KwaZulu-Natal but that hasn’t dampened the spirits or determination of a Breadline Africa team that has been visiting schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to evaluate potential projects, conduct critical monitoring and hand over newly built toilet facilities.

Addressing the latter has proven to be one of the organisation’s biggest and most heartbreaking challenges, as thousands of children in South Africa still rely on pit toilets at school. Not only are these facilities undignified, but also unsafe and, in the worst cases, life-threatening.

“It’s heartbreaking that in 2025, thousands of children across South Africa still use dangerous pit toilets at school. How can we expect them to learn, grow and thrive in such conditions?” Breadline Africa expresses in a post.

According to the organisation, over a million people lose their lives each year due to poor sanitation, and half of them are children under five.

“The risk is real. The crisis is urgent.”

This crisis, which is both a public health crisis and a personal one, makes Breadline’s team visits crucial. More than just routine checks, these visits identify, report and support schools that still use pit toilets, thereby improving sanitation, restoring dignity and ensuring safety.

“No child should fear going to the toilet at school. No parent should have to worry that a school toilet might harm their child.

“At Breadline Africa, we’re committed to changing this, one safe toilet at a time.”

Sources: Breadline Africa

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It takes an incredible amount of compassion and initiative to build libraries and write books in African languages as a teen from New York! Recognised for his remarkable efforts in addressing the societal and literacy concerns in South Africa, James Bloom was deservingly awarded Youth Category Winner of the 2025 World Literacy Foundation Awards.

South Africa (23 March 2025) – Despite being from the privileged American city of New York, James Bloom is a remarkable young man whose heart has been pulled by the needs of South African children.

Moved to help bring books and foster a love for reading to children from disadvantaged communities, James soon became an ambassador for Breadline Africa, collaborating with the child development charity to tackle literacy needs.

Together with his brother Colin, who is also a Breadline Africa Ambassador, James co-founded Libraries for Literacy to provide greater access to books and improve literacy in South Africa. To date, they have established five libraries at schools in South Africa, three of which are in partnership with Breadline Africa!

In honour of James’ continued efforts, he was recently named as the Youth Category Winner of the 2025 World Literacy Foundation Awards.

These awards honour individuals and organisations for their exceptional efforts in promoting literacy learning. A recognition that aligns perfectly with James’ mission to advocate for children who may not have had access to books or the opportunity to develop a love for reading.

To further showcase his passion for books and literacy, always with the needs of children in mind, James has also previously developed books in African languages such as Zulu, Xhosa, Xitsonga and Sepedi to address his then concerns with the scarcity of African language children’s books.

“James has been a true hero. His dedication to literacy and education has changed countless young lives, and this recognition is a testament to his unwavering passion.

“At Breadline Africa, we are honoured to work alongside James to build more libraries and provide more children with access to books and the joy of reading. His commitment to driving change inspires us all, and we are so proud to be his partner on this journey,” said Breadline Africa.

James, you are tackling significant barriers and your cross-cultural empathy and collaboration are not only inspiring but are greatly impacting many young lives too!

Sources: Breadline Africa

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From the streets of Cambridge to the heart of Monwabisi Park in Cape Town, Ethan Phillipson’s participation in the Cambridge Half Marathon was more than just a physical feat; it has become a beacon of hope for 72 young children.

Cambridge, United Kingdom (14 March 2025) – Ethan Phillipson has made a lot of little children and their caregivers very happy from all the way in Cambridge!

This incredible young man participated in the Cambridge Half Marathon on 9 March, with one main goal in mind: to raise funds for Breadline Africa, which supports Someleze Educare Centre in Monwabisi Park, Cape Town. This preschool provides early learning in isiXhosa and English to 72 children aged 0 to 5 years.

Someleze Educare Centre faces a concerning challenge of overcrowding with only one brick classroom, far too small for all the children.

But thanks to his compassionate trek, Ethan managed to raise way more than his set target, garnering an impressive £642 (R15,144)!

These funds will make a significant difference in alleviating the challenges the school experiences daily.

“Ethan’s incredible effort has helped raise funds to provide safe learning spaces for children who need them most. His dedication, resilience, and generosity make him a true champion for change,” shares Breadline Africa.

“Thank you, Ethan, for running with purpose and inspiring others to do the same. Your impact will be felt far beyond the finish line!”

His resilience and generosity have not only provided crucial financial support but have also ignited a spark of inspiration, reminding us all that acts of kindness know no bounds and can have the most heartwarming impact even across continents.

Sources: Breadline Africa | JustGiving

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Ethan Phillipson is taking strides to combat the devastating impact of overcrowded classrooms in South Africa. His charity run at the Cambridge Half Marathon will directly support Someleze Educare Centre in Cape Town, a preschool where 72 young children are currently hampered by a single classroom and a lack of basic facilities.

Cambridge, England (20 February 2025) – Picture a single average-sized classroom with about 50-60 young pupils all cramped together in the small space. Some struggle to find room for their books on desks designed for one or, at most, two students, while others sit on the floor, eagerly trying to listen to the teacher delivering a lesson in the front of the classroom.

Overcrowded classrooms remain a devastating issue in our country, particularly across various townships and rural communities.

Doing his part to try to bring some much-needed relief towards addressing this persistent problem is a determined Ethan Phillipson, who will be running the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday, 9 March, to help raise money for Breadline Africa: a charity dedicated to providing safe education spaces for the young children of South Africa.

For over 30 years, Breadline Africa has transformed early learning environments across under-resourced communities in South Africa. By repurposing shipping containers and constructing brick classrooms, libraries, and toilet facilities, they create spaces where children can access quality early childhood education—giving them the best possible start in life.

“For this fundraiser, I’ve chosen to support Someleze Educare Centre in Monwabisi Park, Cape Town, a preschool that provides early learning in isiXhosa and English to 72 children aged 0–5,” says Ethan.

The school currently faces major challenges, including no kitchen to prepare meals, just two toilets and overcrowding, with only one small brick classroom available for all 72 children.

“But with your donations, we can provide the help that Someleze needs, such as building a new classroom to ensure every child has a proper learning space; adding more toilets to improve hygiene and safety; and constructing a dedicated kitchen,” Ethan adds.

For Ethan, access to early education shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be a right.

To support his great cause, visit the Someleze Educare Centre Project page. Supporters based abroad can donate to Ethan’s JustGiving funding page.

Sources: Breadline Africa | JustGiving

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Longtime champions of Early Childhood Development support, Breadline Africa is reflecting on the lessons they learnt in 2024 that can drive important change for South Africa’s youngest learners in 2025!

South Africa (07 February 2025) — The road to a brighter future for South Africa’s youngest learners is still a bumpy one. With that being said, this bright future that education experts speak about and non-profits dream about is not out of reach; it’s just going to take some elbow grease!

Speaking to this, longtime champion of Early Childhood Development (ECD), Breadline Africa’s Nyaradzo Mutanha, a MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning) Specialist, is sharing the lessons that Breadline has learned in 2024. These are lessons Nyaradzo and Breadline hope will drive important change for South Africa’s youngest learners in 2025 and beyond!

Context Counts

To understand the push behind ECD, we need to understand the context, pitfalls and opportunities of this landscape. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• ECD is largely inaccessible to underserved communities, meaning equitable ECD access has significant hurdles, as highlighted in a 2024 UNICEF report.
• Children under the age of six in South Africa face developmental challenges due to this limited access.
• A poor foundation of development can impact learners for years to come

Breadline Africa has supported over 800 ECD facilities that have benefitted over 40,000 children in under-resourced areas.

Their efforts, along with those they team up with, focus on key areas, including ECD practitioner training, upskilling, health services and nutrition support, as well as teaching, learning and play materials. Additional services boast of promoting child safety, encouraging parent engagement, and establishing monitoring systems to ensure continuous improvement.

These interventions align with the principles of the Nurturing Care Framework to ensure holistic support.

Lessons From Breadline

A Shift From Proving to Improving

Breadline shares that an important lesson to carry into 2025 is to shift focus from simply proving something is possible or meeting certain outcomes to an approach that celebrates continuous improvement.

“Effective impact measurement should help us identify actionable strategies that enhance our services rather than merely proving that we have met benchmarks,” says Nyaradzo.

“Policymakers can facilitate this alignment by championing frameworks that ensure clarity and coherence in ECD programming. When each stage of an initiative is purpose-driven, outcomes are more likely to reflect the actual needs of children and communities.”

The Power of Purposeful Data

“Data is a powerful ally, and it must be wielded wisely,” cautions Nyaradzo.

“In the ECD sector, we must look beyond enrolment figures and attendance records to understand the broader context of child development.

“By combining quantitative and qualitative data to examine the quality of learning environments, teacher-child interactions, and developmental outcomes, we can generate actionable insights. Every data point must translate into strategies that guarantee improved educational and caregiving experiences for children.”

Embracing Technology for Efficiency and Impact

As changes in the tech world continue to impact all of us, Nyaradzo encourages not the fear of digital advancements but rather systems that embrace them.

Certain digital tools can greatly enhance ECD programmes, from monitoring child development milestones to training staff.

“Policymakers should advocate for integrating these technologies in ECD initiatives to support data-driven decision-making,” Nyaradzo says.

Community-led Sustainability

It takes a village to raise a child. Nyaradzo highlights that the lasting impact of ECDs lies in the hands of community members, which is why local capacities need to be strengthened!

“By strengthening local capacities, we can ensure that the people who know their children best—parents, caregivers, and educators—are active participants in shaping programmes and advocating for the resources their children need. Policymakers are crucial in facilitating community engagement and investment, ensuring that local voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process,” Nyaradzo notes.

Committing to Ethical Collaboration

Transparent, ethical data practices are key to building community trust.

“Collecting data is only the first step; we must close the loop by transparently sharing findings and insights. This ethical approach fosters trust and ensures that programmes are responsive to the real needs of children and families,” says Nyaradzo.

“As we advocate for positive change in the ECD sector, our commitment to transparency must be unwavering.”

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

“If South Africa is to break the cycle of inequality, investing in our youngest learners is non-negotiable,” Nyaradzo reflects.

“Right now, we stand at a crossroads that demands action. Policymakers, funders, and stakeholders must harness these insights to shape an ECD policy landscape that prioritises improvement, leverages technology, and champions community-led initiatives.”

Nyaradzo adds:

“Together, we can ensure that every child in South Africa has an equitable opportunity to thrive, nurturing our nation’s brighter future.”

Sources: Email Submission

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Hundreds of young children from underserved areas got to enjoy the beach day of their dreams thanks to community love! For many, it was their very first time ever enjoying a day out at the sea:

Cape Town, South Africa (06 January 2025) — One of Breadline Africa’s longest-standing initiatives proved successful once again as hundreds of children got to enjoy the seaside day of their dreams.

The Seaside Outing effort is one that the organisation has made a priority for years. It’s an opportunity for children from underserved communities to experience what many of them have only ever imagined, as well as a chance to make memories that last a lifetime.

For any child, a beach day is an experience rivalling magic. For an impoverished child who does not have a safe area to play and oftentimes already knows trauma, it’s a life-changing experience that tops magic.

While Breadline handles the logistics to ensure the children get to have a perfect day filled with sunshine, sea-splashing and sandcastles, it’s ultimately the larger South African community that makes it possible.

Through donations, both big and small, another child is afforded the chance to take part. And, year after year, community love has made the mission possible, with 2024 being no exception.

Breadline Africa reported that they were once again able to give hundreds of children the happy memories of a beach day out at St James Beach in Cape Town. As always, the joy the day brought everyone—from kids to volunteers—was immense and a gift all its own.

“Their smiles and laughter were the best Christmas gift we could ask for,” shared the Breadline team.

Many people stepped up to ensure that the kiddies (who are from Breadline Africa’s Early Childhood Development Centres) were afforded the ultimate beach day. Shark Spotters were on safety duty while volunteers filled the day up with games and activities. The young beach buddies were also given protective beach gear, treats and snacks, and, of course, Santa’s gift packs.

 

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A post shared by Breadline Africa (@breadlineafrica)

Sources: Breadline Africa 

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A toilet is just a toilet – except when you don’t have one. Many South African children are forced to endure the struggle of using unsafe pit latrines at school every day. Recognising this urgent need, Breadline Africa stepped in to make a difference at Deda Primary School.

Durban, South Africa (04 December 2024) – We’re all for changemakers with a heart for making a positive difference, especially in the communities where it is needed most.

While a basic toilet is not something many of us may spend our time thinking about or even consider at the top of the list of our privileges, for many less fortunate South Africans, going to the loo comes with great risks.

Responding to the disheartening reality that sees countless youngsters forced to use pit toilets at school, Breadline Africa observed World Toilet Day (19 November) by replacing these potentially dangerous latrines at Deda Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

“At Breadline Africa, we witness the daily challenges of over a million South African children forced to use unsafe pit toilets in schools. Thanks to our funding partners, we handed over new, safe toilet facilities, replacing the dangerous and unhygienic pit toilets these children once dreaded,” Breadline Africa said.

Thanks to what we imagine is a great relief, these children can now focus on their education without fear. Next year, a new Grade R class will join Deda Primary, where pit toilets will be a thing of the past.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Minister Siviwe Gwarube MP and Minister Dean Macpherson MP for attending and supporting this critical initiative,” Breadline Africa added.

Since launching the campaign last year, the organisation has replaced nearly 400 pit toilets with over 600 safe facilities at 25 schools, benefiting more than 12,000 learners and staff.

Thousands of schools still rely on unsafe toilets; to help change this, visit www.breadlineafrica.org

Sources: Breadline Africa

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Thanks to everyone who decided to sock and roll for Funky Socks Day, nearly R1.5 million was raised to support little South Africans’ early educational journeys!

South Africa (27 November 2024) — Every year, Funky Sock Day stands out on the calendar as the kind of day when something as simple as a pair of socks, stickers or both have the power to make a huge difference for vulnerable children. This year, that power was proven once again thanks to South Africa and a very successful Funky Socks Day 2024!

“Thanks to every single one of you who rocked your funky socks and bought Funky Socks Day stickers at PNA, we surpassed our goal and raised almost an incredible R.15 million—all for children in need,” praised Breadline Africa CEO, Marion Wagner.

Schools, individuals with a penchant for creative footwear and friends of change alike all donned their funkiest socks to add their support to Funky Socks Day 2024. These collective efforts saw the campaign raise a fantastic fortune of R1,464,519 which will transform the lives of little South Africans through Breadline Africa!

In even more reason to tap your toes with joy, this numbers that in excess of half a million rand more than last year was raised; AKA: Funky Socks Day support is growing!

Last year, the funds raised helped build pre-schools and improve early childhood education and development in the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

Thanks to this year’s success, the campaign will now be able to provide 50 ECD centres (early childhood development centres) across the country and Namibia with essential classroom materials and resources. These include resources like puzzles, activity books, play dough, stationary, books, chairs, tables and even more essentials for young, growing minds.

The focus on ECD centres comes in that investing in this stage of a young person’s development is key to building a brighter future for the whole country.

Sources: Supplied

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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