We aim to learn how beneficiaries currently support themselves and the challenges they face in accessing opportunities. By mapping existing opportunities and stakeholders in each pilot site, we want to coordinate government and private sector initiatives effectively. Our goal is to connect beneficiaries to opportunities like skills training, education, job placements, and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, we want to create an enabling environment and provide the tools needed for beneficiaries to achieve sustainable livelihoods.

The GBL project will focus on helping child support grant beneficiaries, specifically young women between 18 and 35 years, who receive the grant on behalf of their child or children. We will start by helping these individuals, but also plan to assist the whole family. However, we will work with one person in each family who can make a positive change in the household.

Participants at the DSD-led Amajuba Local Municipality handover

Snothile Kubheka invested in a computer, printer-photocopier machine and outdoor playing equipment for her ECD.

Hlengokuhle Cakes

Hlengiwe Makhanya invested in new equipment for her bakery.

Bambisandlasam skills training

Hospitality students training.

Bambisandlasam skills training

Hospitality students in training

Agricultural training

Participants learn essential agricultural skills.

Painting skills

The training equips participants with practical painting skills.

Part-time employment

Participants contracted for part-time jobs.

Toolboxes handover

Participants were awarded toolboxes.

Financial literacy

Participants at financial literacy training.

Bricklayer training

Participants learn essential bricklaying skills.

Bricklayer training

Participants learn essential bricklaying skills.

Business idea training

Participants in the NYDA Generate Your Business Idea training.

Solar project

Participant linked to solar project in Meloding.

Active Learning Workshop

Participants attend a five-day Active Learning Workshop hosted by the Seriti Institute for the NYS Program.

Giving Back to the Community

Mandela Day celebration

Food parcels

Food parcels distribution

Fast foods – takeaway business

Fast food business

Entrepreneurial training

SEDA Entrepreneurial Training

Business summit

A business summit took place at Madadeni, where participants showcased their ideas and pitched for cash prizes.

CIPC registration

Business training and Sedfa supported them through the CIPC registration process, and their companies are now officially registered.

Stories of Change

More than a grant: From a SASSA grant to a business supporting families

Hlengiwe Makhanya

Hlengokuhle Cakes

Since receiving vital equipment through NYDA, KwaZulu-Natal funding, Hlengiwe Makhanya (36) has expanded her bakery with a new industrial machine. This has allowed her to bake fresh bread daily, take on more orders, and deliver on time – boosting her income and growing her customer base.

She sells to her community, has a regular spot near Madadeni Hospital, and supplies a local fast-food vendor.

Thanks to training from FinMark Trust, Hlengiwe now keeps proper records and saves for her business. Her journey shows how small businesses can grow with the right support, tools and dedication.

Snothile Kubheka

Nothile Early Learning Academy

With support from project funding, Snothile has added a dedicated kitchen to her early childhood development (ECD) centre, using a wendy house to prepare meals instead of her home kitchen. This upgrade has allowed her to enrol more children and expand her services.

Admissions have increased, and she’s now employed two additional staff members to support the growing centre.

Snothile also completed basic computer training through a link with Blaauboch Youth Centre, earning her certificate. Thanks to training from FinMark Trust, she now keeps proper records and saves for the ECD centre – building a stronger foundation for the future.

Ntombenhle Ndlozi

Fast Foods Business

Ntombenhle Ndlozi (35) is a single parent of two and a child support grant recipient. She joined the GBL programme and received psychosocial support, business training and life skills development.

Ntombenhle was selling inhloko (cow’s head meat) from a small container outside her home. After receiving funding, she was able to buy equipment and start selling braai meat, something she had always dreamed of doing.

Her business has grown – she now receives large orders for functions and has even catered for GBL participants during a training session with SEDFA. She has more customers and is earning more than before joining the project.

Thanks to training from FinMark Trust, Ntombenhle now saves and keeps records for her business, helping her plan for the future.

Tracking Participants

The GBL project supports social grant recipients in building sustainable pathways to income and self-reliance, currently piloted in three provinces: Free State, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Here is a snapshot of our progress to date.

Profiled participants

Participants successfully linked to various livelihood opportunities

Operating their own businesses

Participants with disabilities

The GBL Graduation Process empowers people participating in the project with a 'big push' out of poverty through a structured, coaching-led approach grounded in four core pillars: social protection, livelihood promotion, social empowerment and financial inclusion.

Participants are supported through eight critical stages – starting with household profiling and tailored intervention planning, progressing through income generation, and culminating in graduation from poverty. This comprehensive framework ensures sustainable advancement and fosters long-term resilience.