CPSIJournal 10 1 2020

VOL.
10
ISSUE 01
2020
SSUE 1 2020
THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION JOURNAL ISSN:2075- 6054
UNDERSTAND CREATE DELIVER
AS A TOOL TO OPTIMISE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
PAGE insights PAGE public sector PAGE awards &

08 20 innovations 54 accolades
WHY FORESIGHT LET’S TALK: A DIGITAL PLATFORM PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION
MATTERS FOR PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST AWARDS 2019
THE CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE INNOVATION (CPSI)
The CPSI is mandated to develop The CPSI facilitates the unearthing, Through active research and knowledge
innovative, sustainable and responsive development and implementation of sharing platforms and products, the
models for improved service delivery. innovative ideas within and throughout CPSI identifies and shares lessons
The work of the CPSI is guided by an the public sector. It achieves this by and information on innovation
understanding of innovation in a public facilitating pilot projects aimed at trends nationally, across Africa and
sector context as “the creation and demonstrating the value of innovative internationally. The CPSI partners with
implementation of new service delivery solutions, and through activities that a range of individuals and institutions in
solutions (systems, processes, methods, create an enabling environment within government, business and communities
models, products and services) the public sector to support and in exciting and mutually beneficial ways.
resulting in significant improvements in sustain innovation. The CPSI’s cross- This partnership model allows us to
outcomes, efficiency, effectiveness and sector reach makes it a resource for the leverage financial and/or intellectual
quality”. whole of government, thus bridging capital in support of government
institutional boundaries. priorities.
VISION: A solution-focused, effective and efficient Public Sector through innovation.
MISSION: To act as facilitator for the unearthing, development and practical implementation
of innovative solutions within and throughout the public service.
MANDATE: • Provide the Minister for the Public Service and Administration with independent,
diverse and forward-looking research findings and advice on innovative service
delivery with a specific focus on government’s priorities.
• Enhance public service transformation through innovation partnerships for incubating,
testing and piloting innovative solutions.
• Support the creation of an enabling environment for innovation within the structures
and agencies of the South African government.
2 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

An electronic copy of this
journal can be downloaded from
www.cpsi.co.za
01 04
Editorial Getting to Know

Innovation Trailblazers
1.1 From The Editor’s Desk 4
08
4.1 Ms Phuti Ragophala 28
1.2 Editorial Team 5
4.2 Ms Shamila Ramjawan 30
4.3 Ms Tracey Bulmer 34
02
4.2 Ms Amanda Blankfield-Kosseff 36
Insights
2.1 Ramping Up Innovation for 6

Global Competitiveness 05
8 News Briefs
14
2.2 Why Foresight Matters
2.3 Design Thinking: 14 5.1 SA Launches New Tax App 40
A Tool to Optimise Innovation
and Creativity 5.2 Announcement of Gauteng’s 42
Top-Performing Primary
Schools
03 5.3 Sniffer Dogs Taking on Africa’s 44
Poachers
Public Sector Innovations
5.1 Human Waste on World 36
20 Innovation Stage
20
3.1 Let’s Talk
3.2 Y-CAP 24
3.3 Kenya Plastic Pollution Solution 26 06
Awards and Accolades
6.1 Public Sector Innovation 48

Awards Winners for 2019
07
Book Review
30 42 7.1 The New Science of

Radical Innovation
54
ISSN:2075- 6054
IDEAS THAT WORK: ADDRESS: Tel: +27 (12) 683 280 0

The South African Public Sec tor Batho Pele House, Fax: +27 (12) 643 0943
Innovation Journal is a biannual 546 Edmond Street, journal@cpsi.co.za
journal published by the CPSI. Arcadia, South Africa w w w.cpsi.co.za
CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 3

editorial
FROM THE WELCOME SEKWATI
EDITOR'S DESK
From now on, Ideas that Work
will be available as a hardcopy
at a limited scale for those
who still marvel at the feel
and smell of paper, and online
on our organisation’s website
cpsijournal.co.za This will be
shared on social media as well.
It is one thing talking about innova- and smellof paper, and online on our
Welcome to this edition
tion but putting it into practice is, as organisation’s website: cpsijournal.
of the South African Public you would appreciate, totally some- co.za, this will be shared on social
thing else. For quite a while now, the media as well.
Service Innovation Journal:
editorial team of Ideas that Work, has
Ideas That Work. This journal been mulling over the idea of going This idea of diversifying our output of
digital with this Publication. That this publication is long overdue con-
is compiled and published by
time is now. Earlier this year, over and sidering the fact that many publishers
the Centre for Public Service above the usual paper-based format, worldwide have, for quite some time
we launched an online platform as an now, been publishing online. Not
Innovation as a critical
alternative conduit for our wealth of only is this a commendable move
platform to drive innovation articles and case studies for public because of the number of people that
servants and other interested readers we will reach henceforth, but, of crit-
in the public sector in order
continentally and globally. ical importance, we are adding our
to improve service delivery penny’s worth in supporting efforts
Therefore, from now on, Ideas that to curb global warming by reducing
to citizens.
Work will be available as a hard- our carbon footprint. But, more than
copy at a limited scale though, for that we are also practicing what we
those who still marvel at the feel preach, innovation.

Back to the issue at hand. Talking
about innovation and being inno-
EDITORIAL TEAM
vative, public officials have been at
it again, pushing all frontiers work-
ing on innovative solutions to solve
service delivery challenges. In this
edition, we feature a number of them
including Let’s Talk, a digital platform
that is meant to bridge the commu-
nication gap between municipalities
and communities, amongst others.
We also feature, based on presenta-

Deputy Director: Executive Director
tions made during our previous year’s (acting)
Enabling Environment
Public Sector Innovation Conference,
two highly engaging and inform- WELCOME SEKWATI LYDIA SEBOKEDI
ative articles on Design Thinking
and Foresight. The two concepts of
Design Thinking and Foresight rep-
resent the latest, foremost schools
of thought which are highly critical
in service delivery improvement, par-
ticularly how our understanding of
reality and its various nuances shapes
the way we think and approach ser-
vice delivery issues.
In the section on news briefs, we Chief Director: Solution Chief Director:

Support and Incubation Research and Development
once again include some interesting
and inspiring innovations by various LINDANI MTHETHWA PIERRE SCHOONRAAD
people, mostly outside the public
service, to solve challenges that they
have observed, albeit around citizens
as they go about their lives or indus-
try, e.g. healthcare. These, and other
stories that we feature, will hopefully
inspire all of us to be proactive and
constantly look for new and better
ways of doing things, particularly now
as the COVID-19 pandemic continues
to affect the world and shape its des- Deputy Director: Deputy Director:
tiny in ways never anticipated. Communications Innovation Research
MMABATHO MASHABA NSIZWA DLAMINI
insights Public Sector

Innovations insights
WHY FORESIGHT
MATTERS LET’S TALK DESIGN THINKING
08 20 14

insights
RAMPING UP
INNOVATION FOR
GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS
WHAT PUBLIC OFFICIALS NEED TO DO
By Mr Senzo Mchunu, Minister for the Public Service and Administration, MP
I t is important that we all INNOVATION AT A GLOBAL, embracing new technologies to

CONTINENTAL AND modernise our systems and processes
recognise and ackno- NATIONAL LEVEL in order to meet the needs of people
wledge the role of living in South Africa.
innovation as an integral Anyone who underestimates the According to data from the Global
role of innovation and its relevance
part of our thinking Innovation Index, an international
for the survival and development body involved in surveying develop-
and doing things in the of countries and advancement of ment around innovation throughout
public sector. While not humanity, does that at their own peril. the globe, Switzerland, Sweden,
Innovation continues to play a pivotal the United States, the Netherlands,
a silver bullet, innovation and Canada are world leaders in
role throughout the globe. This has
can certainly help tackle been brought to the fore by the innovation, followed closely by a
number of countries in Asia.
numerous challenges, arrival of the 4th Industrial Revolution,
which demands a rethinking of how
such as violence against we approach things, including service
These countries are regarded as
women and children, delivery.
part of the advanced world and lead
in many fields and aspects of life,
combating corruption, such as health and education. The
It is crucial that as a government and
providing healthcare, the Ministry for the Public Service and
countries that are ahead within the
innovation space invest strongly in
and delivering quality Administration, in particular through research and innovation to advance
education. the CPSI, we promote innovation by growth and development.

Innovation is also a critical enabler relentless effort to harness and
when it comes to the achievement of new approaches, such as strategic
the seven priorities of government, foresight and design thinking to
as outlined by the president. As help us accelerate our transforma-
public servants, we need to explore tion, growth, and development.
innovative ways to achieve these We need to consistently revisit our
priorities. This is precisely the time policy and regulatory frameworks to
to be innovative and creative, so update them to ensure flexibility and
that we can turn our misfortunes into ongoing relevance to the present-day
fortunes. reality. This means being innovative
and visionary enough to conjure up
new solutions and approaches that
IN CLOSING respond to the prevailing realities.
It is only when we turn against The task of the CPSI should include
corruption - when we embrace high coming up with innovative ways
standards of ethical conduct in the of recognising innovation and
public service – that we open up encourage its application and
space for innovation. For our country practice throughout the public
to realise a complete turnaround, it service. The CPSI needs to move
requires a progressive, visionary beyond recognising innovation
mentality and a concerted effort by also providing thought-leader-
Mr Senzo Mchunu, to free ourselves from the grips of ship and expertise to drive it. For
Minister for the Public Service corruption, ‘siloism’, and an aversion that to happen, CPSI needs to be
and Administration, MP to change. Being part of the global better positioned and resourced
village requires that we ramp up our to make sure that they do their
efforts to be competitive for the work effectively and efficiently. It
A CHANGE OF MINDSET TO sake of South Africans who yearn needs to be capacitated to help the
DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY for a better life. Therefore, with the public service as a whole to nurture
commitment to build an effective and innovators and initiators, who will take
As Africans in the sub-Saharan region, efficient public service as a progres- our country to a higher trajectory in
we need to learn to move faster and sive, long-term mandate, it requires a terms of innovation
more decisively. Importantly, what
is required at an individual level is a
change of mindset – we need to push
the boundaries and move beyond our
comfort zones.
We need to embrace innovation and

avoid being stuck in archaic ways of
doing things. We must always be
ready to experiment with innovative
and advanced ways of delivering
services effectively and efficiently to
put our country on a developmental
trajectory.
We need to work hard to shed the

age-old stigma attached to public
officials, either through their own
making or otherwise, where to the
public, we are generally known
for being forever lethargic, lazy,
and absent from work. The Batho
Pele principles compel us to show
absolute dedication and commitment
to serving citizens at all times.

insights
FORESIGHT
ITS ROLE AND IMPACT IN POLICY,
PLANNING, AND PRACTICE
By Dr. Geci Karuri-Sebina, Visiting Research Fellow at the Wits School
of Governance and an Associate with the South African Cities Network
You see things, and you say ‘Why?’ But I dream

things that never were, and I say ‘Why not?’
- George Bernard Shaw

INTRODUCTION
As African policymakers, public How do we tackle our complex

administrators, and development reality if these are the four pre-exist-
practitioners, we face contexts that ing archetypal ways in which the
are both complex and complicated future tends to be construed? Can
to plan around. The realities of our we possibly consider a future reality
contexts are an accumulation of that is more open-ended, or are
actors and issues that may manifest we fixed into tunnel vision? In my
uniquely at a hyper-local level, and opinion, working within any complex
generally lack any useful anteced- context fundamentally requires the
ent or documented methodology or unleashing of imaginations, getting
textbook approach for how to deal more creative, and enhancing open
with them. This reality does not affect engagement by civics to help us gain
policymakers only; it also applies to a richer and less inhibited perspec-
those at all levels of practice. tive of the future.
Futurist Jim Dator theorised that Particularly, as South Africans, or

there are four basic ways in which more broadly as Africans, our way
people tend to think about the future, of viewing the future should reflect
resulting in what he terms the four many imagined possibilities because
archetypical futures: our possibilities are in many ways
• There are those who think about hitherto unimagined and unprece-
the future in terms of collapse: dented. It can be argued that our
they think that the trajectory possible futures have been impinged
they are on is not sustainable, upon over the ages at many levels –
and thus everything is going to from coloniality, to societal, political,
fall apart eventually. This is the and economic upheavals, and more
typical dystopian, doom-and- recently, by the impacts of technolog-
gloom future. ical and climate change.
• Then there is the continuity
group, who think that the future THE ROLE OF FORESIGHT
will be business as usual: they IN THE AGENDA OF
believe that life may have its ups GOVERNMENT
and downs, but that ultimately,
people always find a way to In many organisations where people Africa on a growth trajectory. Vision
prevail as they have over the are employed, including government 2030, which is contained within the
years. For them inertia can be institutions, there are all kinds of National Development Plan, spells
sustained. balanced scorecards or performance out a number of targets that have to
• The Disciplinarians believe agreements that set out outputs be achieved by 2030. These include
in human beings’ capacity to expected from each employee. job creation, infrastructure develop-
self-discipline so as to ensure Globally, countries are similarly ment, promoting a green economy,
their survival. So, we will somehow subscribed to various charters that quality education, healthcare for all,
find a way to change ourselves bind them to certain deliverables combatting corruption, building a
and our behaviours to suit the over a period of time; typically, the capable state, and building a cohesive
context so as to be resilient. United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable society. However, while South Africa
• The last group believes in Development Goals (SDGs); continen- may have covered significant ground
transformative futures - that tally, African Union (AU) Agenda 2063; in terms of its NDP project, there is
human beings have the capacity and locally, the National Development still a lot that has to be done to deal
to quantum-leap themselves Plan 2030 (NDP). with many of the legacies that have
and/or their conditions to a vastly long characterised the country.
different state, which may change The NDP serves as a roadmap or
everything. blueprint that seeks to put South

Currently, South Africa remains one
of the - if not the - most polarised and
unequal societies in the world, with
the gap between the rich and poor
continuing to grow even wider.
Furthermore, there are a myriad

of other challenges in the country,
which include ethnocentric divisions
(racial, tribal, nationalist) amongst
the communities, high disease
rates, inadequate and inequitable
education and healthcare systems,
insufficient job opportunities or
economic access, chronic corruption,
and deteriorating infrastructure.
These c i rc u m s t a n c e s are
compounded by other key factors,
including a population that is growing,
dynamic, and unevenly distributed
as the major urban centres continue
to grow at unprecedented rates.
At the same time, the realities of
climate change have already begun
to affect the liveability and productiv-
ity of many parts of the country as we
face the vagaries of drought, floods,
storms, and natural disaster.
These systemic challenges mean

What is common amongst these visions or blueprints is their convergence that the South Africa’s NDP project
around a set of issues or development objectives that are perceivably finds itself playing out in a specific
universal. As a result, other than being ambiguous about their means, there and crippling context; one which
is clarity of expression in what is expected to be achieved. is chequered, coloured, and full of
biases and disparities. While this
Similarly, many other countries have shown commitment to achieving these context could be attributed to legacy,
goals or targets and have invested significant resources to build their capacity the reality is that it is still germane
to work towards that. One of the key areas that many of these countries have now. No matter from whence or
invested in is innovation. Innovation has become focal as a key lever, enabler, whom, we face circumstances and
and catalyst and is described almost universally in terms of liveable towns phenomena that we cannot ignore
and cities, vibrant economies characterised by growth and development, as we contemplate our futures.
and sustainability in several dimensions, including ecological, environmental
(climate change), social, and fiscal. This context rears its ugly head in
many respects, including economi-
THE SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION cally, socially, and politically. For
instance, South Africa has the sixth
As reflected above, there is not much difference between South Africa and largest number of malls in the world,
other world countries in terms of the kind of future they would like to achieve. and alongside that there is a flourish-
Vision 2030, which is enshrined in South Africa’s National Development Plan ing informal trade sector where the
(NDP), clearly sets out the critical targets that it suggests, which, if achieved, majority of people actually do their
would put the country on a positive developmental trajectory. shopping.

While both the formal and informal environment; are doing.
business modes generate compara- • Increase and transform NSI
ble revenue in some cases, estimated human capabilities; While some African countries are
at close to ten billion Rand in the case • Expand and transform the improving in terms of innovation
of a Sandton mall/Johannesburg CBD research system; indices (for example, Rwanda and
block comparison (Zack, 2018), the • Expand and transform the institu- Kenya), there has been an apparent
reality is that policy, planning, and tional landscape, and annual decrease in South Africa’s
futuring all fail to make much of the • Increase funding and funding position. Yet there is no doubt that
latter. efficiencies. South Africa most likely has the best
policies and plans on innovation in
At play are modernist and traditional The paper declares that, “Together, the region.
issues and other concerns, which, we need to create a new common
one may argue, are not adequately sense and design an economy Upon interrogation – for example of
processed and engaged with. that benefits everyone, not just the GII – what emerges is the seeming
Therefore, the recurring question the privileged few. A new human imbalance between our innovation
from entities like Oxfam about economy that would create better inputs in terms of investments, which
whether we are able to create a and fairer societies, where workers are undoubtedly the highest, given
different kind of economy in lieu would receive decent wages, women our relative economic status and our
of our continued, blatant inequal- and men would be treated equally, resultant innovation outputs, and
ity should be treated as a critical children would have opportunities, outcomes. One of our stumbling
futuristic question. By questioning and no-one would live in fear of the blocks is, therefore, our innovation
the future, we are able to probe and cost of falling sick.” inefficiency. We tend to fail where
point to the possibility of alternative, it matters most; where we have to
imagined futures while, at the same INNOVATION IN respond and account, the governance
time, prompting immediate policy
SOUTH AFRICA
ends.
- HOW WE ARE DOING
analysis and action towards achieving
new possibilities (Inayatullah, 2008). THE ROLE OF FORESIGHT
Part of South Africa’s policy I have already alluded to the

response has been the new Science, government of South Africa facing
Technology and Innovation (STI) the unenviable task of delivering
White Paper that was compiled by services to citizens under very difficult
the Department of Science and conditions, many of which are deep
Technology in 2018. Titled Science, legacies, including the bureaucracy.
technology and innovation enabling ‘Solutions’ in the sense of innovations
inclusive sustainable South African are in great abundance, which can
development in a changing world, the purportedly deliver more desirable
paper acknowledges the importance futures.
of sustainability and inclusion in Since the emergence of innovation
ensuring government success in as a critical enabler and catalyst for However, the stakes are high given the
driving shared growth and develop- service delivery and government many challenges to service delivery
ment. Amongst its objectives, the administration improvement, many improvement, such as population
paper sought to: countries across the world have dynamics; political administrative
done much to ramp up their capabil- interface; the auditor general; the
• Instil a culture of valuing science, ity using technology and other shrinking economy; looming austerity
technology, and innovation, and innovative responses. Similarly, South measures that are making it difficult
integrates STI into government Africa has made considerable strides to perform; climate change, which
planning and budgeting at the in harnessing innovation to turn the we are told has to be a priority; and
highest levels; lives of its citizens around. However, the 4th Industrial Revolution, which
• Adopt a whole-of-government despite all these efforts, world is presented as both a problem and
approach to innovation; indices on innovation (such as the solution. All these factors inevitably
• Create an enabling and inclusive Global Innovation Index - GII) point to demand a change in the approach of
governance environment; a rather lacklustre performance when public servants to their work and to
• Create a more innovation-enabling compared with how some countries their perceptions of reality.

As a country, South Africa requires
a multi-pronged approach to
innovation and foresight in how
we engage with the challenges at
hand. We have no choice but to
act immediately to deal with our
urgent challenges, many of which
are historical and make life intoler-
able for many in the present. Our
current dilemma is that having barely
scratched the surface in our attempt
to deal with these, we also have to
confront the pull of the future, which
is very difficult indeed in the current
context of such glaring inequality. As
a result, our prospects of working for
the future that we envisage becomes
even more remote.
ANTICIPATION
AND FORESIGHT
The Forward Engagement Project

(Fuerth, 2009) offers that foresight
for anticipatory governance should
be considered as compound and
systemic, and as both experimental
and empirical. Foresight – the way
forward – is posted as integrating
four key constituent elements:
• Hindsight – which is an awareness

of forces that originate in the
past, carry through the present,
and may persist into the future
in some form but must always be
understood to offer wisdoms that
are temporary and local;
• Insight – which refers to
self-awarene s s, including
our unconscious biases and
limitations;
• Topsight – which is sometimes
also termed the ‘bird’s-eye
view’, offering an awareness of
the overall complex system, with
all its parts, interlinkages, and
interactions; and
• Prescience – which speaks to
intuition and attunement to
weak signals in ways that could
possibly be enhanced through
technologies, like artificial intelli-
gence, but are usually an innate
skill that some people have.

A systematic approach to foresight Heterarchical, rather than hierarchical, of senior patriarchs whose ideas are
can contribute to making sense of engagements with the future would imposed on the rest of the organisa-
and moving into and beyond some suggest that imaginaries about the tion. In such a context, foresight will
of the contextual and governance future could come from top to bottom, not transform the hierarchy but would
challenges that we confront. It may or bottom to top, or side to side, or all more likely be used to reinforce it.
offer the possibility of engaging with of the above; that we could conceiv- We have to think seriously about the
the past in a rehabilitative way, while ably democratise futuring, such that futures we want to see if we hope to
at the same time, address issues of foresight becomes an all-inclusive see anything different.
the present to foreshadow the future process instead of the ludicrous and
and vice versa. limiting idea that a hundred people Anticipatory governance does not
will understand, imagine, plan, and stop only at the level of imagination,
The futures study space offers a deliver for a billion people. of course. It also requires attention to
number of tributary fields, methods, what happens next – to our processes,
theories, and capabilities that can be Policymakers and practitioners relentless and tireless efforts,
levered to support policy thinking and additionally face the challenge behaviours, and institutions.
action. The idea of futures literacy of lacking historical data to fully
has recently emerged through the inform their actions on crucial and Foresight also provides a range of
studies of anticipation to suggest an emerging issues. The future is after tools that may be helpful in these
essential capability that is crucial to all unknowable, and no two situations regards. Causal layered analysis, for
understanding how we can “use the are ever exactly the same. We can – example, is a method that enables
future” for anticipatory governance and do – use our past experiences us to dig deeper below superficial
(Miller, 2018). It begins with engaging and probabilities to develop plans, phenomena into what happens at the
with our anticipatory systems and preparations, and contingencies. It most fundamental levels – of culture,
assumptions. These include the is sensible to do so, as it is probably values and belief. The idea here is that
different understandings of how and better to have imperfect plans than to get into the upswing, where you can
why people hold certain impressions not to plan at all. transform futures, where you can even
and hopes about their future – our imagine doing something different,
opinions, desires, wishes and dreams. However, the crucial question is: How you have to be able to engage and
do we also free ourselves from our change the things at the very bottom.
Studying these makes it evident own biases and limitations in perceiv-
that we all have strong assumptions ing the future? From viewing the world You have to dig deep, ask those
about the future, shaped by whatever in terms of binary oppositions, that is, questions, speak that language, and
circumstances and dispositions, and whether things can only seem similar have those imaginaries in order to
that we tend to project these onto the or different, good or bad, normative engage and shift the trajectory of
future. And it is most often the case or realistic, fatalistic or deterministic, what you seek to do. It is otherwise
that those assumptions that we hold projection and predication, black or very difficult and potentially meaning-
about the future are hierarchical and white. How can we stop limiting our less to try to change the surface
very presumptive, while the real world space of imagination and agency with behaviour – the symptoms – if you
is actually complex and emergent. the strictures of inadequate data, don’t systematically work into a
What you see today, you could not incrementalism, risk aversion, and process of deep change.
have predicted 10 years ago. The ‘used’ futures?
future is actually unknowable. What futures literacy offers is a
Ultimately, the question is simply one foundational capability in how we
If we can come to terms with this of how we can get into a real space understand our engagement with the
uncertainty, the theory is that it can of novelty where we can imagine future as a basis for a wider action space
be liberating and empowering to and create many different futures, in the present. And what foresight can
acknowledge that there are many particularly given that most of our offer policymakers and practitioners is
influences on the future, and that establishments are hierarchical, a range of tools that can help us make
these are in themselves complex and imposing the kind of system where sense of the tasks of governance in a
often contradictory. This humbling planning is done top-down, mostly contextualised, but not necessarily a
recognition allows us to open up the involving a powerful, exclusive elite context-bound, way.
space of engaging with the future;
offering the space of imagination to The form the future takes in the present is anticipation
the many, and not just to the few. - Riel Miller

insights
AS A TOOL TO OPTIMISE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY

By Mr Richard Perez, Founding Director, Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the
University of Cape Town
Things can get volatile and complex but they constitute the
new normal. Ours is to make sense out of it.
- Albert Einstein
BACKGROUND DESIGN THINKING
Every era has problems that are Design thinking has its roots in the the behind-the-scenes design activity
design discipline. As with many that went into developing them. The
typically associated with it and other disciplines, design has been next step in the ladder represents
the kind of solutions that would disrupted by technology and needed those people whose apprecia-
to discover new value propositions. tion of design is purely at a styling
be relevant according to the
Over the past 10 - 15 years, design or aesthetic level, such as colour,
demands of the time. However, thinking has become a prominent shape, and material. The next step
relevant as such solutions might approach to addressing more in the ladder is where the focus shifts
complex and abstract challenges towards the value design can play in
be, they would not necessar- whilst yielding new ideas, interven- developing products and services; for
ily be applicable in solving tions, and solutions. example, the impact of service design
in the financial and insurance sector.
problems that might occur in The evolution of design thinking can
the future. To solve problems best be illustrated using the Danish As we move further up the ladder,
Design Ladder. Starting at the base of the focus shifts towards the value
of the future would require a the ladder are people or individuals design can play in the more abstract
change of approach and a kind that generally have no appreciation space. Here, the focus moves from
for design i.e. they are surrounded by the design of products and services
of thinking that is different. How designed objects and experiences on towards the design of experiences,
can this be done? a daily basis but they do not recognise for instance, designing the right

4
3 STEP FOUR
2
DESIGN AS
STEP THREE STRATEGY DESIGN THINKING AND
1
DESIGN AS
STEP TWO PROCESS
Design is a DIVERSITY – THE AFRICAN
key strategic
DESIGN AS Design is an element in our PERSPECTIVE
STEP ONE FORM-GIVING integrated business model
NON-DESIGN Design is element in With the establishment of the School
used as finish, development of Design Thinking at the University
Design is form-giving process
of Cape Town (d-school), design
not applied or styling in
thinking took on a broader dimension
systematically new products/
services based on the African context. It seeks
to leverage the rich diversity we have
on the continent, which is a character-
The Design Ladder (based on the Danish Design Centre, 2001)
istic of African society. Fundamentally,
innovation and creativity are located
In the next step of the ladder, design in a very structured way. Those in the diversity of thinking; in the
becomes even more abstract, such as that do not follow that path miss African context, there is multi-lay-
adding value to the development of out on the structured learnings of ered diversity in culture. A lot of
strategies and policies. At this level, being creative and typically land up research initiatives corroborate the
we see how design can be used as a in non-creative sectors. However, fact that Africa stands at a unique and
way of working, a mindset or a way creativity is a natural ability we have advantageous position because of its
of co-creating that culminates into as humans, and it is important for us diversity. Africa has the potential to
impactful and sustainable policies to realise that we all have the ability lead from the front in design thinking
and strategies. to be creative - it is just a matter of because of the extra layers of diversity
unlocking it and gaining back our that it brings to the creative process.
creative confidence. This diversity brings with it the unique
CREATIVITY AS A CORE SKILL ability to develop ideas and concepts
THE ORIGINS OF that cannot be found anywhere in the
From time to time, the World DESIGN THINKING world.
Economic Forum (WEF) publishes
a framework that focuses on skills Design thinking has existed for many However, it is important to note that
of the future. In their 2015 publica- years. In 2003, it was popularised while thinking diversely is of critical
tion, WEF listed the 10 most critical thanks to a team at Stanford University importance, most important is the
skills that would be highly sought in the US who received funding from environment in which the thinking and
after in any workplace of the future. the founder of SAP (Hasso Plattner) activity takes place. The University
Of these, creativity was ranked to set up a school of design at the of Cape Town’s School of Design
number 10. For 2020, however, WEF’s university. They produced a number Thinking has made it a point to create
prediction presented a completely of innovative programmes and the kind of teaching and learning
different ranking, where complex numerous writings to popularise environment that makes everyone
problem-solving came out at number design thinking, explaining that the feel that they have a licence to think
1, followed by critical thinking, and real value of design is found in the differently and explore without any
creativity moving up to number 3. thinking process to get to the solution fear of judgment. The d-school is fully
rather than the end solution itself. interactive with a learning environ-
Creativity is an inherent human ment that fosters creativity and
quality found in all of us. From an The current value of design is now co-creation.
early age, human beings are consist- in considering what role it can play
ently explorative and experimental. beyond simply developing products The d-school runs numerous
However, this in-born ability is or services. This means going beyond programmes, where students from
subsequently suppressed by the the end object or service to focus on various backgrounds and disciplines
kind of education system that we the actual thinking and mindset that are taught the design thinking mindset
are exposed to, as well as the many delivered the end result. Anchored and frameworks over a period of time.
workplace environments we find on the concept of empathy, design Core to the learning experience is the
ourselves in. Many young individuals thinking is the journey that begins focus on a challenge for the student
go into the creative sector because with understanding and exploring to work on. It is through finding
of their ability to draw, ending up the problem space, knowing who solution to these complex challenges
in professions such as architecture, your user is, what their needs are, that the students are taught the
product design, and graphic design. and then moving through a journey design thinking mindset, resulting in
Through their formal education, their of sense-making, idea development, innovative solutions that demonstrate
creativity is developed and nurtured idea building, and then idea testing. the importance of diversity.

Design thinking also emphasises the ‘desirability lens’ i.e. asking the
importance of action over words. It questions: “What is the need that we
may be called ‘design thinking’ but are trying to solve for?”; “Who has
it is really ‘design doing’. This bias this need?”, and “In which context
to action results in the develop- does it exist?“ Using the desirability
ment of rapid prototypes in the lens, we uncover the need behind the
form of physical models to help the need, pain points, and challenges -
students understand whether they but at a human level. This is typically
are addressing the right problem or what is called the human-centred
not. However, this does not rule out component of design thinking.
the importance of critical thinking
and rigours discussion and debate. The human component is one of the
most important since it determines
One of the most important aspects While many people understand the kind of ideas that will address the
in design thinking is the value that it design thinking to just be a process, needs and aspirations at a human
attaches to co-creation and collabo- it, in fact, requires a much larger level. The other two lenses are
rative thinking. Accordingly, design ecosystem to be fully effective. important constraints but brought
thinking promotes the notion of ‘we’. This ecosystem does comprise of into the process a little later. Too
It is about bringing together teams the need for a process i.e. some much preoccupation with address-
of people in a true trans-disciplinary sort of structure/framework to ing constraints often results in the
space – where the key words shift from follow. However, also critical is the deployment of solutions that do
the egotistic ‘I’ to multi-discipline, adoption of multi-disciplinary teams not meet the need of the end user.
inter-discipline, and transdisciplinary. (to ensure diversity of thinking), and Billions of Rands often get spent on
We move from the ‘silo’ effect towards finally, a physical and flexible space products that never see the light of
resource combination, interaction, in which to practice the work. This is day as they never addressed a real
and trans-interactive spaces that not an approach that can be done in need.
accommodate diversity. Modern-day traditional meeting rooms as using
challenges are more complex and, incorrect spaces can prevent the When addressing real needs, it is
thus, cannot be solved through single creativity, collaboration, and co-crea- important to move from the explicit
disciplines alone but rather through tivity in a team. to the meaning. That is, forming a
the interaction of multi-disciplinary conclusion based on a deduction
teams that work together. Besides SEEING THE WORLD from an observation, which is usually
the innovation that comes from the THROUGH A DESIGN LENS inferred. Design thinking encourages
process, team effectiveness and engaging with the end user, develop-
co-creation are other key outcomes. Designers frame a challenge through ing insights, and empathy to really
However, the main challenge is to three distinct lenses. The first lens, understand the need behind the
ensure proper training to function at which is typically where people limit need. This will ensure the design of a
that level. their thinking is the ‘viability lens’. For solution that takes into consideration
example: “How much is that going to a comprehensive context about the
As part of the learning journey, cost us to design?”; “What will the person and the real need that they
students training at the d-school intervention cost us?”; “What would have.
are given a variety of problems or be the return on investment?”; “How
challenges to work on, e.g. how men much money is it going to save?” Design thinking is also about striking
might contribute towards stopping a balance between reflection and
violence against women and children. The other lens that people often get action. It is important to ‘bathe
All problems in design thinking caught in is the ‘feasibility lens’ i.e. in the problem’ and take time to
are treated and framed as design the technology lens – limiting their explore and reframe the problem
challenges. The students spend solutions by asking the questions, space before jumping into solution
their time at the d-school working such as: “What is the type of mode. However, with its focus on bias
in teams on these challenges whilst technology to be used, whether to action, we should not waste too
at the same time, building their new or pre-existing, as well as cost much time but move as fast as we can
competencies in design thinking. implications?” In design thinking, we into building and testing hypotheses
Design thinking leads to identifying recognise these as being important – as the sooner you build and test
tangible, innovative interventions into constraints when identifying a something, the sooner you are really
the problem space that ultimately solution, however, we enter the going to learn whether you are on the
lead to a shift or change in the norm. problem space firstly through the right trajectory to solving it.

DIVERGENT THINKING AND
CONVERGENT THINKING
Divergence and convergence are key

concepts in design thinking. During
the process, you will follow both a
divergent thinking process as well
as a convergent thinking process.
Divergent thinking is about explora-
tion and discovery, whilst convergent
thinking is about synthesis and
making choices. Each person has their
own inherent comfort zones and as
such, it can feel like an uncomfortable
journey for many. For example, with
its bias to action, we often need to
make decisions based on incomplete
or conflicting data, which is a very
uncomfortable experience for many
people.
The design thinking journey can

be messy to start with, where one
needs to have patients as the
solution emerges over time. The
journey emphasises the importance
of embracing failure as a key strategic
factor that contributes to eventual
success.
DESIGN THINKING
AS A MINDSET
Design thinking is about a different • It tolerates ambiguity and failure. • It suppor ts iteration and
way of working. There are many Design thinking embraces failure experimentation, where the
tools and methods and, of course, as part of the learning and solution is allowed to emerge
action. But of greater importance understanding journey. over time; where each step of
is developing the correct mindset, • It encourages and stimulates the way you are de-risking the
which ultimately takes on board the visualisation as a platform for ideas and testing assumptions
issue of culture applicable to both co-creation, communication, and in a risk-managed environment.
the individual and organisation. It sharing. • Design thinking also promotes
advocates for a culture change from • It has a very strong user-centred intensive analysis at critical times
siloism to collaborative working. component and involvement. of the process.
The key benefits of design thinking It promotes engagement to • Design thinking promotes a
include: accommodate different views and holistic systems view. This is
inputs, particularly in the public primarily about looking at a
• Design thinking promotes collabo- sector where citizen participation problem within its context and
ration and working together. It is critical. understanding the inter-relation-
enables different departments • It drives creativity and innovation. ships with the various parts.
and disciplines to come together By embracing divergent thinking,
and work collectively on common it allows us to think creatively and
problems. in unconstrained ways.

DESIGN THINKING
IN ORGANISATIONS
In order for design thinking to thrive available resources. Such organisa- than the individual. In such organisa-
in an organisation, one should look tions have a lot of individual-based tions, much attention is diverted
at it from a balanced perspective. incentives, meaning people are towards the creation of a culture that
Accordingly, organisations are rewarded for their individual is about being innovative, creative,
typically viewed through two lenses, excellence (the concept of IQ). and explorative.
i.e. those that are more attuned to
analytical thinking and those that are Conversely, there are organisa- Key to an organisation is to find a
more attuned to intuitive thinking. tions that are more intuitive in their balance between these two states,
approach. They are more holistic and where a culture of both can live
Organisations that, according to their systemic in terms of their view. Such in harmony with each other; what
internal culture, are too analytical in organisations are more divergent we refer to as an ambidextrous
thinking, are very linear, very rational, in their thinking, more system in organisation
very structured, and convergent; their approach, and focus a lot on
making sense of things using the abductive logic. Such organisations
inductive and deductive logic. are built to create, to explore and
These are organisations that are built experiment. Their work environments
for optimisation and reliability. In are mainly team based and functions
addition, they are tuned for exploita- along the ‘we Q’, i.e. the importance
tions, i.e. how to get more out of the of the collective intelligence rather

public sector innovations

LET’S
TALK
A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
By Mr Moepi Setona, Chief Innovator, Saya-Setona
A mobile app that is more than just a communication platform but also a research
and business intelligence tool for public officials to facilitate public participation.
M
any service delivery protest conflict with their own set of princi- Let’s Talk. The platform enables
actions in municipalities take ples of Batho Pele (putting people citizens to report service delivery
place because of citizen dissatis- first). issues to help government in service
faction with government’s service delivery and policy planning, thereby
delivery, that is, the perceived inabil- PROJECT DESCRIPTION improving the communication and
ity by government to deliver services relationship between local govern-
Responding to the apparent negative
or, where they are delivered, their ment and its constituency.
perception of local government by
quality. citizens, Saya-Setona launched a pilot
project in the Thulamela Municipality The App helped to report service
However, as Saya-Setona’s research in Limpopo called: Putting the Citizen delivery challenges, vandalism, and
revealed, often times these protests at the Centre of Governance. This ini- theft of public assets, as well as
are triggered by the lack of commu- tiative is in partnership with SALGA engaging on the development and
nication between government as the and supported by the UNDP. It is implementation of municipal by-laws
service provider and the community implemented in line with an MOU and polices. intelligence tool for
who are users of these services. This signed between SALGA and the public officials to facilitate public
communications gap reduces com- United Nations, South Africa. It is fur- participation. This mobile app is,
munities’ ability to report service ther aligned to SALGA’s focus on the however, more than just a communi-
delivery issues to government while use of innovation to improve public cation platform. It is also a research
on the other hand, government is not participation in local government. and business intelligence tool for
responsive, not due to capacity con- public officials to facilitate public
straints but because officials are out At the heart of this project is a locally participation.
of touch. As such, officials are in developed digital platform called

1. HOW THE LET’S TALK PLATFORM WORKS
8:30
1
Using the app, citizens are able to For local government, the app
receive news updates related to ser- provides for the following:
vice delivery from either the Offices • Sending live news updates to
of the Premier or the municipality’s citizens in a particular geograph-
Mayor. Once they receive this infor- ical area related to service
mation, citizens can rate services and delivery disruptions.
learn what the local municipality is • Receiving real-time reports
doing in their area related to a par- of service delivery complaints
ticular service (see screen 2 and 3 related to a certain geographi- 8:30
below). In addition, citizens can send cal area to inform engagement 2

alerts about service delivery issues to with the public.
local government and receive replies • Receiving verifiable citizen-gen-
(screen 4). erated data on service delivery
for reporting against Integrated
Using the app, citizens are able to Development Plans. This data
establish chat groups with other can be disaggregated by age,
citizens in their wards and with gender, and race.
local councillors (screen 5), thereby • Receiving ratings on services in
promoting active or participatory an area to help inform policy.
citizenship. • Establishing chats with citizens 8:30
in a particular area to help inform

3
Finally, the app makes provision for policy development and issues
all functions to be sent by SMS to related to service delivery.
accommodate citizens who do not • Hosting a tool that can be used
have access to data or a smart phone. for Community Development
Worker casework.
8:30
8:30
Using the app, local municipality is accountable. Furthermore, citizens

able to also work with appointed and NGOs can have a ‘read only’
NGOs and CBOs to build citizens access to all screens that the Mayor
capacity, empower them to advo- of the Municipality can view, thus
cate for their rights, and to support enabling additional openness and
them in holding local government transparency.

2. OUTCOMES AND IMPACT
The pilot with SALGA focused on three outcomes, namely:
OUTCOME 1
INDICATORS
Citizens feel empowered, con- Citizen satisfaction score

nected with their government, increases a year after the project is
and engaged constructively in launched, and positive feedback
public service delivery. is received from platform users.
OUTCOME 2
INDICATORS
Thulamela Local Municipality uti- An online dashboard owned and

lises citizen-generated data as ran by government partners with
part of its decision-making and action orientated commentary
feels connected constructively to on how they utilised the data was
the needs of citizens. accessible to citizens.
OUTCOME 3
INDICATORS
A stronger, more collaborative A functioning civil society network

relationship between local gov- established in the province with
ernments, NGOs, and other an ongoing, solution-focused
communit y interes t /lobby dialogue with government facil-
groups. itated by UNDP if process in
municipality not already in place.
3. CONCLUSION
The project importantly incorpo- delivery protests and strikes. Now

rates a digital civil society network implemented at Thulamela Local
to empower citizens to advocate for Municipality, the Let’s Talk project is
their rights in relation to service deliv- still at an early stage, with significant
ery. In that way, it promotes active or scaling potential.
participatory citizenship.
What is more important, the Let’s Talk
The project can further improve rela- project delivers against SDG 16, with
tions between local government/ a desired outcome of improving trust
municipalities and the NGO sector, between citizens and municipalities/
hopefully bringing an end to service government.

ycap
YOUTH CITIZENS
PROGRAMME
By Amanda Blankfield-Koseff, CEO Empowervate Trust

IMPLEMENTATION SUSTAINABILITY
INTRODUCTION
We work with the Department of The programme has been running
W Africa, where there is a ten-

e have a challenge in South Basic Education to implement the successfully for 10 years. We are
programme in public schools nation- doing our best to fundraise, so that
dency to feel helpless in the face of ally (we had 400 in 2019). There are it can survive for many more decades
problems – to wait for government district, provincial, and national and need as much support as we can
or other organisations to fix the showcase events, where the most get to ensure this.
issues, to complain and feel like impactful project teams are rewarded
victims. This is the background to and encouraged to continue.
REPLICABILITY
the problem we responded to. We
needed to find a way to empower IMPACT The programme can become a fran-
and motivate our citizens from a chise for other countries to use in
young age to be proactive citi-
zens, change agents, and possibly We have seen positive their schools; it can be used for adults
in communities as well. The method-
social entrepreneurs when they changes in educator and ology has already been used to help
complete schooling.
learner mindsets, as well new business owners to write busi-
ness plans.
THE INNOVATION as the culture of schools
over the past 10 years of CHALLENGES AND LESSONS
The solution was to create the Youth-
Citizens Action Programme (Y-CAP)
Y-CAP. Research by Unisa1
The challenges are getting buy-in
under the Empowervate Trust NPO, shows how Y-CAP changed from principals, who sometimes
which has two elements: personal say they only want to focus on aca-
and team development, as well as
the status quo from being
demics. We explain that the Y-CAP
community development. How it is helpless to becoming programme actually empowers and
done is that we provide a toolkit, a motivates learners to want to succeed
step-by-step guide to how to run a
proactive and saw learn-
in all aspects of their lives, includ-
project, the skills and tools needed, ers become pioneers in ing academics. We also believe in
how to measure the impact at the the holistic development of young
end of the project, and ensure it is
the school once they’ve
people, including positive values.
sustainable. been empowered with the The principals who support Y-CAP
Y-CAP tools. see the positive changes that it brings
1
2018, Vorster, M. The Case of Character Edu-
cation to address Challenging Behaviour in a to their school and they, therefore,
Gauteng Primary School. UNISA usually participate annually

kenya plastic pollution solution
Hope Mwanake
The sheer enormity of this plastic pollution and the

catastrophic consequences that it would have on land
and marine life was a major concern
BACKGROUND
A bought every minute globally,

million plastic, bottled drinks are In Kenya alone, more than 3 million
tons of waste is produced, of which
while some 500 billion disposable only 8% is recycled. As a result, there
plastic bags are used every year, are mountains of plastic buckets,
says the United Nations (UN). Nearly bottles, and jerry cans discarded by
a third of plastic packaging escapes residents, hotels, shops, and schools
waste collection systems and at least all over. The sheer enormity of this
8 million tons of plastic leak into the plastic pollution and the catastrophic
oceans each year, smothering reefs consequences that it would have on
and threatening marine life. Plastic land and marine life was a major con-
also enters water supplies and the cern, particularly to Hope Mwanake,
food chain, where it could harm an Environmental Scientist who ran
people in the long term, the UN a waste collection service in Kenya’s
states. central town of Gilgil.

THE INNOVATION
As an Environmental Scientist who

also ran a waste collection service,
Mwanake spent an enormous time
thinking about what could be done
with the plastic waste. What emerged
after a lot of brainstorming, research-
ing, and experimenting was a product
that was not only value-added with
market demand, but, most impor-
tantly, one that would help to reduce ADVANTAGES CONCLUSION
plastic waste in the environment. Mwanake and Mureithi’s tiles are Mwanake said it was vital to boost
more durable, lighter, and easier to visibility and awareness to grow her
Along with business partner and transport and install than concrete or business, as many Kenyan consumers
fellow Environmental Scientist, Kevin clay tiles. They are also safer for rain- had a negative view about eco-
Mureithi, she founded Eco Blocks and water collection. Each tile is priced at friendly, recycled products. “Unlike
Tiles in 2016. It is the first company in 850 Kenyan shillings ($8.50) - equiv- western countries, where labelling a
Kenya to manufacture roof tiles and alent to the price of concrete or clay product as ‘eco-friendly’ is consid-
other construction materials from tiles. An average three-bed house ered a positive by consumers and is
plastic and glass waste. requires 1 000 to 2 000 tiles. quickly snapped up, in Kenya it can
be seen as a negative; as if the prod-
The company employs four perma- uct is of lower quality,” said Mwanake.
nent staff and supports scores of “That view is slowly changing but it is
community garbage collectors by taking time. We just have to reach it.”
purchasing their raw material - plastic
and glass waste chucked by Gilgil’s Through word-of-mouth, promotions
residents. So far, they have turned in hardware stores, and social media
more than 56 tons of plastic waste posts, the start-up has attracted
into 75 000 tiles for 30 homes and dozens of home owners and small
businesses. businesses this past year.
HOW DID THEY DO IT?
The project saves forests, too. The company has also gained sup-
Scientists-turned-entrepreneurs Customers save up to 40 percent port from the Kenyan government,
Mwanake and Mureithi first carefully on wood when using eco-tiles, said which is promoting the use of sus-
examined the properties of plastic Mureithi, to the benefit of their pocket tainable, greener materials as part of
and glass. They then literally cooked and the forests. The eco-tiles are efforts to reduce carbon emissions
empty shampoo and vegetable oil also helping Kenya’s booming con- generated from the east African
bottles in a big drum and mixed the struction industry to cut its carbon nation’s construction industry.
molten polymer with sand crushed emissions by providing more green
from glass waste. and sustainable alternatives to con- “With the growing population,
crete tiles. expanding urban fabric, and commit-
Looking at what came out as an ment to provide affordable housing
end-product, Mwanake said: “It Cement, a key ingredient of concrete, and net-zero carbon buildings by
looked like a strange porridge but releases 5% to 8% of global green- 2050 in Kenya, such products have
once placed in moulds and cooled, house gas during its manufacturing a potential market,” said Kenya’s
we found [that] we had a very strong process, according to the Global National Construction Authority
and durable product.” Cement and Concrete Association, (NCA). Pollution is also a concern, so
a non-profit organisation. repurposing plastic to construction
Since the pair set up the com- is a “win-win”, the NCA added in a
pany, they have tapped into crowd As governments and companies look statement
funding and attracted grants from to cut planet-warming emissions, in
organisations, such as South African- line with the Paris Agreement goals
based packaging firm Mondi and to limit global temperature rise to Adapted by Welcome Sekwati from an
Netherlands-based ViaWater. The “well under” 2 degrees Celsius (3,6F), article by Nita Bhalla. (First published in
commercial production of the eco- finding ways to ‘green’ construction IOL News Africa, 13 December, 2019)
tiles began in 2018. is key.

getting to know innovation trailblazers
IN CONVERSATION WITH
PHUTI
RAGOPHALA A SERIAL INNOVATOR
The moment we become comfortable with

community challenges, we lose humanity.
- Phuti Ragophala

What drives you to innovate? reading nation. My aim is to groom In your view, what impedes
a nation of readers because readers innovation in the public sector?
Finding yourself being surrounded by are leaders. In 2017, I launched a
challenges sharpens your mind. My level community reading club project to I am of the view that the following
of love for education, empathy, energy, inspire young authors. factors are major impediments, to name
and passion propels me towards • Producing own food: I also use my but a few:
helping needy learners and community backyard garden to teach children • Rigid policies;
members. As such, that makes me get how to produce their own food using • A top-down approach of doing
out of my comfort zone and continue available natural resources. things;
making education fashionable, as well • Lack of succession planning, and
as a tool to fight ignorance, poverty, Looking back at your journey as • A one-size-fits-all approach.
and unemployment. a public sector innovator, what
challenges did you encounter? What are your concluding remarks?
I am driven by the challenges that
community members are facing. I am The journey of being an innovator is Based on my experience in the
unable to sit back and relax when I see not easy; it is very tough, especially in education sector, I have some key
other people suffering. This inspired me the public sector. It needs a leader who recommendations:
to launch my NPO, called Phuti Training is decisive and takes risks, even if that • Recognise employees and their hard
and Motivational Speaking, after my makes you unpopular. work to innovate and improve service
retirement as an educator. For example: during my tenure as delivery at all levels in the midst of
school principal in 2006, after finding out daily challenges.
What do you aim to achieve with that Oprah Winfrey was going to open • Facilitate ongoing training on
your NPO? a new school for girls in South Africa, I innovation for staff at all levels,
tampered with the school’s language ensuring it is appropriate for their
The aim of the NPO is to address the policy. Consequently, the use of English scope of practice and with practical
following challenges: became a medium of instruction for components.
learners from Grade R to 7. This almost • Capacitate managers both
• Digital illiteracy: The 4th Industrial cost me my job. However, out of this psychologically and with the necessary
Revolution is upon us and learners unpopular idea, five girls from the school resources: for example, sufficient
and educators need to be equal to were admitted to the Oprah Winfrey clerks and support, staff so that
the task as they require digital skills to Leadership Academy for Girls, SA. I am managers can be more hands on
enhance teaching and learning. We proud that, today, these learners are the to support their staff in efforts to do
will not be able to acquire digital skills pride of their communities. situational analysis, brainstorm and
without getting the basics right. These implement improvement projects
include reading with understanding, Innovation requires people to go the • Provide ongoing reminders that
writing legibly, and enhancing food extra mile in what they do. They need to innovation starts with the basics of
production. Generally, we are not a be passionate and empathetic. courtesy and respect for our end-users
Which awards and accolades did you receive after you were recognised by the CPSI?
Accolades are a cherry on top. The main thing is to change the lives of needy people through education. After being
recognised by CPSI in 2010, I had several awards bestowed on me:
2011 2011 2012 2014

Limpopo Office of Premier ISPA Super Teacher of the Microsoft Innovative
Excellence Award Year by COZA CARES South African Hero by eTV Educator Expert (MIEE)
2015 2015 2016 2016

CEO Magazine Most
Influential Woman in Africa Microsoft Innovative Microsoft Innovative Microsoft Innovative
Award: Education and Educator Expert (MIEE) Educator Expert(MIEE) Educator Fellow
Training
2016 2016 2016 2016
Eduweek SABC Education Women in Government Women in Government
Lifetime Achievement by Regional Business SADTU Leadership Award
by Regional Business
Award Achievers Award Achievers Award
2017 2017 2017 2018

Fellowship status from Indian Government in Varkey Foundation Top Top 50 Inspiring Women in
Africa Federation of Mumbai Leadership Award 50 Global Teacher Prize Technology
Teaching Regulatory Finalist
Authorities
2018 2019 2019 2020

Femina Woman Super 6th World Education
Achiever Award Kader Asmal Award Congress Education Kader Asmal Silver Award
Leadership Award


INTERVIEW WITH
SHAMILA
RAMJAWAN FAMRAM SOLUTIONS
As an innovator, what sets you apart from It is in this light that I have been able to
others? successfully juggle being a single mother
while driving my career and business
It has to be my passion for my product. I (self-funded). I would be lying if I said that
am an advocate for menstrual hygiene and, it was easy but it has definitely made me
currently, a doctoral candidate researching a stronger person. I am also lucky that my
Menstrual Hygiene Management amongst children look up to me as their role model
adolescents with intellectual disabilities in and take after me in terms of independence.
South Africa. This study is a first for South They are my pillars of strength.
Africa. Therefore, my passion stems from
not just supplying a healthy, eco-friendly How long did your innovation take from
product but also being a voice for menstrual its development to implementation?
hygiene management.
The aim of creating the PrincessD Menstrual
What drives you to innovate? Cup, an alternative sanitary product to
tampons and sanitary pads, was to help
Passion and purpose. I believe the world is disadvantaged rural girls. Their education is
your oyster. Once you introduce something disrupted because some girls miss 5 - 7 days
that becomes successful, one looks for per month without the use of a menstrual
additional avenues in which to innovate. cup.
Undertaking an innovation journey is not The PrincessD Menstrual Cup is an

easy. How did you overcome challenges environmentally-friendly, cost-effective,
associated with being an innovator, and sustainable solution for these girls and
especially as a social entrepreneur? women. We found that because it’s a ‘green’
product, all girls and women who menstru-
Becoming an entrepreneur has been ate are able to benefit from it by using a
one of the most challenging but exciting healthy and clean sanitary product. The
experiences of my life. The journey thus far menstrual cup, which is ultra-soft, is made
has been rocky yet extremely humbling at from medical-grade silicone and reusable for
the same time. I can certainly confirm that I 10 years. It has no toxins, bleaches, dyes, or
have respect for any person who decides to other chemicals, which makes it hygienic and
invest in their own venture. healthy to use. It is a greener alternative to
disposable tampons and pads, as it does not
I am a firm believer in balance. There has to add to landfill. Sanitary pads and tampons
be a balance to everything in life in order to are not eco-friendly as it takes approximately
function optimally. 500 - 700 years to biodegrade.

The PrincessD Menstrual Cup has minutes! In most rural areas, girls
a lot of other benefits as well: it is fetch water from the river, boil it, and
completely comfortable for using then sterilise their cups.
during sports, such as running,
cycling, scuba diving, swimming, In terms of the development, it took
yoga, dancing, or any type of activity, me approximately two years, which
as it offers safe, secure, discreet, and included R&D, to create a prototype
leak-free protection for up to 12 hours and then introduce it to the market.
at a time.
How would you motivate other
One menstrual cup is equivalent to people to be innovative against
approximately 3 000 sanitary pads/ all odds? What do you think should
tampons over a 10-year cycle. So, government do to promote
no more messy toilets or blockages Women are strong and can overcome innovation in the
in toilets either. Our combo pack anything. Never give up. I believe public sector?
comprises of a menstrual cup and a that one must always tell their story
compact, foldable silicone steriliser because it motivates others. We have Government is trying to assist and
cup (we are the only supplier with all fallen and jumped up again, so promote innovation. We need to be
the silicone, microwavable steriliser pick yourself up and be proud to be more visible, as small businesses
cup). In the deep rural areas, girls face a woman. Your circumstances do not cannot afford extensive marketing
devastating conditions, where they define your future: rise up and take due to the exorbitant costs of
have nothing to use during menstrua- hold of your destiny. Inspire others marketing. Instead of always trying
tion and have limited access to water. to innovate! to assist small businesses in funding,
which is, of course, limited to a
At the end of the menstrual cycle, Which factors do you think impede number of small businesses, help
only 250 ml of boiling water (one cup) innovation in the public sector? us promote our businesses, such
is required per month to sterilise the as having link with our logos on
PrincessD Menstrual Cup for 15 Definitely a lack of finance. government websites.

Kindly share with us some of your awards and accolades that you
have received over the years
2016 2016 2016

Semi-finalist: Emerging Finalist: Unsung Heroine
Entrepreneur Category: Panache Woman
of Wonder Awards category: Real Architects
SA Council for Business of Society Special Award
Competition
2016 2017 2017

Finalist: Margaret Nominee: Standard Finalist: Social Entrepreneur
Hirsch Achiever bank Top Women Category: Business Women
of the Year Award Entrepreneur Awards Association Awards
2017 2017 2017

Winner: OWAMI Finalist: Top Performing Global Awardee: Centre
Women’s Award Entrepreneur: National for economic & Leadership
Business Awards Development
2017 2017 2018

Global Female Woman of Stature
Global Women Leaders
Leadership Impact Awards: Entrepreneur
Hall of Fame
Award of the Year
2018 2018 2018

Global Awardee: Iconic Finalist: Entrepreneur of Impact Award:
Woman Creating a better the Year: Oliver Ladies of All nations
World for All Women Empowerment Awards International
Closing Remarks? Economic Forum
I would like to share with your readers

2018 2018 2019
some of my quotes. Winner: Manager of the
Finalist: National Year: Business Leadership
Change Maker Award
Business Awards South Africa
“Nobody will ever realise your
struggle until you disclose your
story. Be the one to comfort others
by talking about your hardships and 2019 2020 2020
where you come from. It will surely Country Winner: Most
Honorary Award: Women Awardee:
Influential Woman in
inspire others and create awareness Business: Pan African Appreciating Women 100 Successful Women
Awards
that there are opportunities out there
that they can grab and steer their own
ship to success. Never ever give up.”
“Your message to the world must be

words of encouragement, motivation
and inspiration. If you live it share it.”

GETTING TO KNOW
TRACEY BULMER
Ms Tracey Bulmer, Chief Supervisory Physiotherapist: Paediatrics section at Chris Hani Barag-
wanath Hospital. The unit’s Standing Box project, a low cost solution assisting children with
Cerebral Palsy to stand, was entered and won the 2018 Public Sector Innovator of the Year
Award.
As an innovator, what sets you apart from others?
Innovation is not something out there for special people An innovator needs to be prepared to go the extra mile
who work in fancy places. We are all innovating daily; within the available resources of staffing, equipment, and
most of the time we just need to stop and take stock time. Innovators must not forget the end goal: to make
of what we are actually doing and think of ways to the patient experience better and, ultimately, improve
strengthen our efforts. An innovator cannot work as a quality of life in some way. For me, that means being
‘lone ranger’; teamwork is of the utmost importance. the person who enjoys a challenge since it provides an
You need to work hard to ‘infect’ others with your vision. opportunity to find solutions and grow in the process.

What drives you to innovate? may lead. A few years ago, we were practical components.
given a sample of a wooden standing • Capacitate managers with the
I have decided that if I am to continue box to try out for our young cerebral necessary resources, including
my career as a Physiotherapist in palsy patients. It stood unused in psychological care and sufficient
the public sector, I cannot stand one of the rooms until the owner support staff so that managers
by and become part of the status eventually reclaimed it. In 2016, a can be more hands on to guide
quo; I must be part of the solution visit from Sukumani Dream, a NGO their staff in efforts to do
to improve patient experience of that also started making these boxes, situational analysis, brainstorm
care through efficiency and access convinced us to look once again at and implement improvement
to health and rehabilitation services. the roll-out of standing devices. This projects.
The over whelming response had been a longstanding desire of • Provide ongoing reminders that
received from the end users, that mine; however, it took a dynamic innovation starts with the basics
is our patients and their families, physio team to grab hold of this vision of courtesy and respect for our
is motivation enough to continue and make it happen. Our innovation end-users.
innovating. journey started with the issuing of
one standing box. Which accolades and awards
How did you overcome challenges, have you received since being
especially in the public sector? What factors impede innovation recognised through the Public
in the public sector? Sector Innovation Awards
Strategic planning and goal-setting Programme?
are vital to cultivating an environ- Public servants often display low
ment for innovation, whether big morale in the workplace. Factors The CHBAH Phy siotherapy
or small. Despite staff rotation and such as poor physical working Department was acknowledged
turnover, the Chris Hani Baragwanath environments, a lack of resources, for their innovative efforts in the
Hospital (CHBAH) Physiotherapy poor safety, a lack of support from winning Standing Box project by
Management Team has built targets supervisors and peers, and insuffi- Minister Mchunu, Minister for the
for various projects into departmen- cient leadership and direction from Public Ser vice Administration,
tal and sectional operational plans management result in people feeling and Dr Masuku, MEC for Gauteng
to encourage continuity and sustain- overwhelmed. Health, during a visit to the hospital
ability. in November, 2019. A spin-off from
New employees may come with many this visit was an interview about the
Our department has a culture of innovative ideas but soon succumb project featured in the Gauteng
innovation and embraces quality to the atmosphere of “just getting Health Employee Value Programme
improvement as the norm. We through each day.” When we are in (EVP).
have an extremely coherent and survival mode, we do not innovate.
supportive management team, There may also be a lack of continu- An article on the ministerial visit was
that encourages us to be “almost ity due to staff turnover: valuable also featured in the DPSA Bulletin.
competitive” in our efforts to projects are not carried out for long The SA Public Sector Innovation
improve services. Our Department enough to obtain results and lessons Journal: Ideas that Work, featured
Head is very much in touch with her learnt are not handed over, thus it an article on the project that won
staff, which encourages persever- takes the next person a while to build Innovator of the Year in 2018. The SA
ance to achieve goals, despite low momentum again. Society for Physiotherapy’s Hands
staff numbers and high workload. On publication also highlighted the
What could government do to good work being done in the public
How would you motivate others promote innovation in the public sector. During discussions with EVP
to become innovative against all sector? representatives, interest was taken
odds? in writing up a business case for the
• Recognise employees and CHBAH Physiotherapy Department
When faced with something that their hard work to innovate as a whole, taking into account all
doesn’t work well, you can either and improve service delivery at the existing projects and service
waste time moaning about it or you all levels in the midst of daily delivery initiatives. We were invited to
can use the time to brainstorm and try challenges. present on the Standing Box project
possible solutions: this is innovation. • Facilitate ongoing training on during 2019 at the launch of the CPSI
Start with something small where you innovation for staff at all levels, Awards, the CPSI conference and the
are now; something tangible and ensuring it is appropriate for CPSI Awards ceremony
achievable. You never know where it their scope of practice and with


INTERVIEW WITH
AMANDA
BLANKFIELD
-KOSEFF CEO OF EMPOWERVATE TRUST
Ms Amanda Blankfield-Koseff’s youth development project Youth Citizens Action Programme

(YCAP) was awarded a Special Ministerial Award at the 2019 Public Sector Innovation Awards.
As an innovator, what sets you I was working at an NPO at the time. What do you think government
apart from others? We approached a funder (private) should do to promote innovation
and government (public) to help us in the public sector?
I think that the difference is that I had to work on the programme, Y-CAP.
a vision and didn’t leave it at that; So, from the beginning, it was a Perhaps create a platform where
I started working on the actions to collaboration. This made the task innovations can be piloted and
make the programme come to life. more manageable. There were still analysed. This way, when they are
Over the past eleven years, the challenges but with three sectors implemented, the design has already
programme has been evolving and involved, we managed to overcome been tested and the process can
developing each year. The feedback them. repeat until it’s finalised. This could
we get is important and helps us to be done through CPSI.
improve wherever possible. Comfort Similarly, how would you motivate
is the enemy of innovation. other people to be innovative What other accolades and awards
against all odds? have you received besides
What drives you to innovate? being recognised through the
I would say to people that innovation Public Sector Innovation Awards
I innovate when I see there is a can be done if there is a passion- Programme?
gap or need that has to be filled ate and committed person or team
or addressed. When it came to my driving it. It takes courage and Before the CPSI Awards in November
attention that youth wanted to be perseverance to create change and 2019 our CEO Amanda Blankfield-
active citizens but can’t without any innovate. Don’t give up! Koseff was a finalist in the Europcar
skills or platform to do so, I decided Women in Leadership Award
a change (or innovation) had to be Which factors do you think category in the Absa Jewish Achiever
made. That is how Y-CAP started. impede innovation in the public Awards. Empowervate has also been
sector? awarded the Education Excellence
Undertaking an innovation Award from the Gauteng Premier’s
journey is not easy. How did you There is a lot of bureaucracy, politics, Youth Excellence Awards, as well
overcome challenges associated and lack of resources (human and as the ROCCI Community Builder
with being an innovator, financial) that can be challenges in Awards two years in a row.
especially in the public sector? the public sector. This is why having
PPPs can help with these issues.
The programme is a Public Private Partnerships can overcome the Compiled by Amanda Blankfield-Koseff
Partner (PPP), which means that weaknesses in some sectors by using E-mail: info@empowervate.org
Website: www.empowervate.org
the strengths of others.

news briefs
NEW TAX APP

LAUNCHED IN SA TO MAKE VAT EASY
An innovative new VAT app, developed by a tax expert

at hApp-e-tax, is now available in South Africa.
T he app is the mobile answer to

VAT queries for accountants,
auditors, tax practitioners, lawyers,
revisions of the acts and legislation;
it is updated immediately when new
tax legislation or SARS information is
which is simple to navigate, with an
intuitive search engine that can be
accessed even without an internet
and even entrepreneurs who do not introduced. connection.
have access to specialised teams.
Herschel Alpert, Chief Executive of Providing all the tax information
This simple-to-use tech innovation hApp-e-tax, said: “It’s a major step needed in one app, this smart tool
will make it easier for people to forward from the hard copy books has seen thousands of downloads
navigate through content to fully and online searches that have been for both iOS and Android stores for
understand and apply South African available [un]til now when searching mobile use on Apple and Google
VAT legislation. for VAT information. I was inspired smartphones and tablets.
to develop this VAT app after the
The app includes the VAT Act, success of the hApp-e-tax income Users can try the hApp-e-tax apps
Customs and Excise Act, Securities tax app, which was released two free for 30 days. They then have the
Transfer Tax Act, Estate Duty Act, and years ago. With a great adoption option to choose whether they want
Transfer Duty Act. rate and positive feedback, we had the income tax version priced at R489
numerous requests to offer VAT and or the VAT and indirect taxes version
In addition, users will find all of other indirect taxes and with a few for R379. Both apps are available at a
SARS’s published rulings and can enhancements, we have managed to discounted price of R825. Users can
even print directly from the app. The deliver exactly that.” The app pro- upgrade or downgrade these ver-
app has quick turnaround times on vides comprehensive information, sions at any time.
First published in Business Report
Online, 22 January, 2020

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news briefs
Photo: Gauteng Education Department/Twitter
PANYAZA LESUFI ANNOUNCES
TOP PERFORMING
PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN GAUTENG
‘TO KICK-START A SKILLS REVOLUTION’
By Inside Education March 7, 2020
M

EC for Education Panyaza Lesufi has announced for the first time
the performance results of more than 900 primary schools in
Gauteng, saying the move was intended to empower Grade 1- 9 learners
to achieve functional literacy and acquire skills that match labour market
demands.

Lesufi was addressing 6 000 teachers,
HODs and principals at the inaugu-
ral primary school summit held at the
Rhema Bible Church in Randburg,
north of Johannesburg.
“We are going to measure perfor-

mance of primary schools – from the
performance of the principal, school
teachers, HODs and the resources
and infrastructure of the school. We
are transforming the whole education
sector and preparing our children for
a better future,” said Lesufi. “Gone are
the days when primary schools were
recommended in terms of the uni-
form the learners wore to school. We
are now going to apply rankings to
all schools just as we grade hotels in
terms of stars, from 3 to 4 and 5 stars.”
Lesufi said from 2020 academic year,

Grade 1 to Grade 4 learners in the
province would now learn about
coding, sign language, entrepreneur-
ship and many other skills to match
the labour market and the demands
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Our focus is to build the skills of spotlight on our primary schools. At least 21 000 learners failed their
the future. We need to embrace new This summit is important for us Grade 1 schooling in 2019.
changes that are coming in future as because the Diagnostic Report says
a result of technological advance- the problems we have in matric “Most of the overage learners are
ments. If we don’t get our education and post-matric stages arise from due to having repeated at least one
system right we will never get the the early phases of our education grade in their school career. Most
skills for our economy.” system.” of the learners who are at least two
years older than their cohort would
The summit was also addressed by Makhura said education was impor- have repeated grades in more than
the department’s Deputy Director- tant for the future of Gauteng – the one phase,” said Mosuwe.
General Albert Charney and Head of country’s economic hub, which com-
Department Edward Mosuwe. prises of approximately 14.7 million “In the interpretation of the numbers
people. above, it is important to remem-
Gauteng Premier David Makhura ber that a learner may not repeat
delivered a keynote address. “As it were, 85% of Gauteng’s total a year more than once in a phase.
budget is spent on Education, Health Accordingly, the number of learners
“This inaugural summit is quite and Social Development. We must repeating in the “last grade” in a
historic. We are not only fixing edu- spend all our resources to educate phase; i.e Grades 3, 6 and 9, appear
cation. We are fixing the foundational our people.” fewer than in the following grades
phases of our education system. A – Grades, 4 and 10. Grade 7 is an
house built on shifting sands cannot Mosuwe, Gauteng Education’s HOD, exception, as this is the last year of
withstand the storms,” said Makhura. said in his presentation that one of primary school and schools seem to
the most worrying issues of primary promote learners so that they can
“Todate, the spotlight was on matric school results was the increasing high move to secondary school.”
results only. We must now shine the failure rate and repetition.

news briefs
SNIFFER DOGS
TAKING ON
AFRICA’S POACHERS
By Tira Shubart : Adapted from an article that was first published in BBC N ews, 18 January 2020

P
oachers in Africa, who are now
armed with military-style weap- THE PROGRAMME
ons and even helicopters to hunt their
prey, have a new adversary: dogs with and contraband electronics like illicit
a nose for detection. mobile phones, amongst others. The
sense most used by detection dogs
Many countries on the African conti- is smell. According to Will Powell,
nent still have an abundance of wildlife Director of Canines for Conservation,
roaming their countries. Thousands the programme is in the form of “a
of tourists visit these countries from Public-Private Partnership” with gov-
all over the world to see the animals. ernments that helps them develop
This rise in tourism translates into dog units with their wildlife organ-
socio-economic development, job isations, which includes strategy
creation, building of schools and clin- formulation, standard operating
ics, and hunger alleviation. procedures, and veterinary protocol.
“With their help, we select rangers
However, in many of these coun- and train them as detection dog han-
tries there is a massive danger of the dlers,” said Mr Powell.
wildlife being decimated because of
ruthless poachers who are becoming Dog handling has become a
more sophisticated by arming them- sought-after job among employees of
selves with high-calibre weaponry and wildlife authorities in Tanzania, Kenya,
other modern, high-tech equipment. Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana
and, most recently, Cameroon. The
Over the years, there have been many handlers learn their skills over an
cross-border collaborations to bring eight-to-10-week period.
an end to this challenge and thanks
to innovative thinking, a solution was Handlers are carefully matched with
eventually discovered. their canine partners, which is impor-
tant as some handlers have not been
around dogs before, or have only
THE INNOVATION
known dogs as guard dogs. During
the period, they learn to love, care
The solution came in for, and respect their dogs.
the form of detection
Dogs are selected and brought over
dogs, also known as from some countries in Europe,
sniffer dogs. More than such as the Netherlands, the Czech
Republic, and Hungary, where there
50 of these specialised is a culture of working dogs in various
dogs were deployed in settings.
key locations across six SELECTION AND TRAINING

African countries where OF DETECTION DOGS
poaching was taking According to Powell, during the selec-
place at an alarming rate. tion of detection dogs, preference is
given to animals that are open, con-
According to Wikipedia, detection fident, and level-headed enough to
dogs or sniffer dogs are dogs that are able to deal with distraction and trav-
trained to use their senses to detect elling. Furthermore, the dogs must
substances, such as explosives, illegal be gregarious and friendly to deal
drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, with a number of dog handlers.

Two breeds, namely Malinois
and Springer Spaniels,
excel as detector dogs.
Malinois, which are Belgian
Shepherds, are famously
intelligent, tough, and can
cope with heat. The Springer
Spaniels have good noses
and a friendly nature. They
also have another advantage.
According to Powell, there are
many people who are afraid
of dogs. To many of them,
Shepherds with pointy ears
are regarded as scary, while
Spaniels with their floppy
ears look less aggressive. “In
areas where you are working
around people, it’s easier to
use Spaniels,” added Powell.
Both breeds have a strong
work ethic because they love
to be busy.
TRAINING OF DETECTION DOGS CONCLUSION
Training the dogs to a top level in even found a lion’s tooth hidden in Since their deployment, the detec-
detecting takes four to five months. a thermos. tion dogs have sniffed out various
According to Powell, the dogs are contraband - elephant tusks, rhino
first taught to detect ivory, as it is the When the dogs find something, horns, and pangolin scales. This
hardest smell to detect. they are rewarded and given their has led to the arrests of hundreds
toys. The shepherds have tougher of traffickers and the disruption of
Rhino horn and pangolin scales are toys to chew on than their soft- smuggling routes. In addition, there
easier to pick up. They are then taught mouthed Spaniel colleagues. The have been almost 400 seizures of
to detect lion bones and teeth, which specially-trained dogs go on to sniff illegal wildlife products since the
are trafficked for Chinese medicine luggage and cargo for ivory, rhino programme, funded by the African
now that tigers have been largely horns, and pangolin scales. Wildlife Foundation, began in 2011.
wiped out.
The working life of a dog depends Traffickers now know that detec-
All the wildlife products they must on the breed. For the Malinois, that tor dogs are checking international
find are hidden in a variety of realistic can be between 12 and 13 years. flights, so Canines for Conservation
ways. In the field, the dogs have found When their working life is finished, also works with the East African
ivory and rhino horns concealed in they are found appropriate homes port authorities in Mombasa and
coffee and chillies, as well as wrapped or are returned to Mr Powell’s base Dar es Salaam.
in layers of foil and plastic. They have in Tanzania.

Photo: Robyn Walker
Civil engineering master’s candidate Vukheta Mukhari (left), in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment,
was one of a handful of young global graduates invited to present at the Design Indaba. Pictured with him are his supervisor,
Dr Dyllon Randall, and master’s graduate Suzanne Lambert.
HUMAN WASTE
ON WORLD
INNOVATION STAGE
By Helen Swingler

“There has to be a better way of doing this civilisation thing,”
U niversity of Cape Town

(UCT) master’s candidate
Vukheta Mukhari said when he
tion and human waste sectors. This
is thanks to some intricate chemistry
between urine and bacteria - a natu-
He described how Randall and his
students had uncovered something
extraordinary. “We grew the world’s
ral process called microbial carbonate first bio-brick made from human
pitched his research at the 25th precipitation. This creates bio-bricks urine with the help of Sporosarcina
Design Indaba. That research is from human urine, collected from pasteurii bacteria. My supervisor calls
revolutionising the way society waterless urinals. them Steve. We took some sand and
sees human waste. aggregate, mixed it with bacteria,
The by-product in fertilizer sealed it in a mould … and pumped
urine through it.
The design and innovation
festival was hosted in Cape The bio-bricks were developed by
Mukhari and master’s student Suzanne “The bacteria break down the urea in
Town at the Artscape Theatre Lambert of the Department of Civil the urine, which releases carbonate
Centre in February 2020. Engineering, working under Randall. ions in a calcium-rich environment. This
Mukhari is one of the young The bio-bricks were unveiled at UCT in forms calcium carbonate, or calcite.
global graduates selected to 2018 to huge acclaim, signalling a par- This is the same calcium carbonate
present their ideas at the Think adigm shift in the way society views that nature uses to form seashells. The
Tank, handpicked together human waste. calcite naturally cements the sand par-
ticles together to form a bio-solid.”
with the heads of over 40 Biomimicry a design template
design institutes and colleges Since then the team has been working
around the world. Continuing the theme of waste and to improve the bio-brick’s compres-
sustainability, Mukhari told his audi- sive strength. In three years, they’ve
Each young innovator works at the ence that while civilisation had made improved that exponentially from
nexus of academia and the green huge strides to emerge from “a cave 0.9 MPa to 16 MPa, equivalent to the
economy, and the selection crite- into the four-walls-with-a-roof and strength of clay bricks.
ria centred on the United Nations more food than we can eat”, the
Sustainable Development Goals. Each planet was imploding. To market, to market
is involved in highly innovative research
that tackles global challenges and has Biomimicry would provide a template “Part of our current research is to opti-
social or environmental impact. And for restoration and future design that mise and refine the bio-brick so that it
it’s translatable in the real world. worked with nature and ecosystems to can be taken to market,” said Mukhari,
inspire innovation and solve complex pointing to unprecedented urbanisa-
“Vukheta was chosen as one of only human problems. tion worldwide. “This is important as
12 candidates from around the world the construction industry is responsi-
to speak at this event, so it’s quite an Quoting biomimicry pioneer and ble for consuming 40% of the planet’s
achievement. It is also fantastic that biologist, Janine Benyus, he said, energy and 12% of water, producing
the organisers specifically contacted “Humans need to remember we one-third of the carbon emissions and
us to learn more about our urine bio- are not the first to build structures, 40% of the waste.”
brick process,” said his supervisor, Dr to master fluid dynamics or harvest
Dyllon Randall. moisture from the air and make things Sustainability is key. Clay and con-
waterproof. Nature discovered all this crete bricks require large amounts of
On stage on the first day, Mukhari long before we did and there are still energy whereas bio-bricks are made
had just 10 minutes to describe how so many discoveries to be made. We at room temperature and created by
pee and pathogens had created a have only scratched the surface.” And recycling “waste” material through a
gamechanger in sustainable construc- UCT was leading the way. natural cementation process.

Photo: Robyn Walker
The world’s first bio-brick made using human urine. In picture are (from left) the Department of Civil Engineering’s
Dr Dyllon Randall and his students, Vukheta Mukhari and Suzanne Lambert.
And that’s not all... Mind blowing
In tandem with the project is a call “This is an example of how we make Presenting on the Design Indaba
for waterless urinals to collect urine use and reuse instead of making and platform is an experience Mukhari
and produce a no-energy phosphate then disposing. Nature knows no won’t forget. “It was mind blowing
fertiliser as a by-product. waste; what we call waste become a hearing some of the best design
valuable resource.” ideas and solutions from all over the
This is facilitated by a chemical addi- world which have a tangible impact
tive which also prevents the ammonia The real star, he said, is the collective for the communities they’re designed
smell, kills pathogens and helps Steve: the bacteria. And they can do for. Being in that space feels like elec-
degrade pharmaceuticals present in so much more. tricity running through the body – and
human urine. “They’ve cemented loose sand parti- in a good way!
cles together, and we can apply that
“Urine accounts for only 1% of munici- concept to other material, such as “Creating networks is the best part;
pal wastewater but contains 60 to 80% plastic waste, crushed glass and even the indaba facilitates this so well.
of all the nutrients contained in that concrete rubble to form sustainable We get to mingle with the likes of
waste,” said Mukhari. “By removing construction material. the creative directors of Google and
urine from the sewerage line, we’re researchers using seaweed to green
effectively saving the treatment plant “The possibilities are legion: the pro- the construction industry. It’s amaz-
60 to 80% money and energy. It’s cess can cement material together ing. There are already a few potential
actually groundbreaking … it’s liquid to make clothing, furniture and food avenues of collaboration, which is
gold, a pee revolution.” packaging.” exciting.”

BY MMABATHO MASHABA
T he CPSI announced the winners of

the 17th Public Sector Innovation Awards,
as selected by an independent adjudica-
Administration, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga.
These Awards recognise successful and

tion panel, on Friday, 29 November 2019, effective service delivery improvement
at a gala dinner in Ekurhuleni. projects and initiatives in the public
sector that have been achieved through
The Awards were conferred by the the application of innovative approaches,
Deputy Minister for the Public Service and methodologies and tools.

A INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
REDUCING THE COST OF DELIVERING SERVICES
The North-West Department of Economic Development,

Environment, Conservation, and Tourism developed the
National Integrated Permit Administration System, an
online platform for the application for permits to transport
wildlife. The issuance of fauna and flora permits was
previously done manually. This was tedious and time-con-
suming, leading to numerous customer complaints. To
deal with this challenge, a province-wide, web-based
biodiversity permit system was introduced to offer
hassle-free and cost-effective permit applications.
This innovation has improved the turnaround time for the

issuing of permits, leading to improved customer satisfac-
tion and increased revenue collection by almost 70%.
B CITIZEN-FOCUSED INNOVATIONS
The eThekwini Metro Engineering Department introduced

a WhatsApp fault reporting line that provides a 24/7/365-
day direct line of communication between citizens and the
department. Despite other channels of reporting faults,
a number of challenges were still being experienced in
terms of turnaround times to respond to water leaks, burst
pipes, and water supply cuts. It is for these reasons that
the Engineering Department decided to use WhatsApp
Messenger.
The use of WhatsApp provides citizens with an alternative

channel at a significantly reduced cost of communication.
This application also has a facility for consumers to send
GPS coordinates of where the problems are. This is more
This project was also recognised as the useful for rural and informal areas. The city now receives
2019 Public Sector Innovator of the Year. and responds to over 5 000 WhatsApp messages on a
monthly basis.

C INNOVATIONS HARNESSING 4IR SOLUTIONS
data portal. Through Vulekamali, the National Treasury

continues to entrench its commitment to transparency
and budget participatory reforms. Vulekamali was
created to make national and provincial government
budgets accessible to everyone in South Africa.
Vukelamali allows visitors to the portal to engage and
provide feedback to government on an ongoing basis,
as it is structured around the budget process.
North West Provincial Treasury, through the

Infrastructure Co-ordination Directorate, is responsible
for reporting on infrastructure projects from different
government departments, municipalities, and public
entities. The directorate previously inspected projects
Vulekamali, National Treasury and Usage of Drones the old-fashioned way through site visits.
for Photography of Infrastructure sites, North-West
were both recognised in this category. Arial photography was never used before for monitor-
ing of infrastructure projects. The Treasury now uses
The National Treasury worked in partnership with Imali drones to track and inspect sites faster and more
Yethu to develop an easily accessible, online budget comprehensively.
D PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION TRAILBLAZERS
These two in-house coders

are developing a variety of
in-house solutions to improve
service delivery and reduce
the need to procure expensive
off-the-shelf solutions.
Mr Eddie Lerobane, Mr Bonolo Monye,

Office of the Premier, Limpopo Department of Economic Development,
Environment, Conservation and Tourism,
North West

E SPECIAL MINISTERIAL AWARDS
The Special Ministerial Awards are given to individuals who

have demonstrated exceptional service to citizens through
their innovations and who reflect the spirit and ethos of a
solution-focused public sector.
THE MOKWAKWAILA GAMING AWARENESS, LIMPOPO
Mokwakwaila SAPS services 36 villages in the Tzaneen

cluster. A substantial number of people, especially
women, are unemployed and resort to using child grant
payouts to gamble, sacrificing the needs of children in
the process. Furthermore, learners were also gambling
to such an extent that they were turning into loan
sharks. Through this initiative, safety campaigns were
conducted to create awareness about this scourge.
In addition, a number of illegal gambling machines
were confiscated and handed over to the Limpopo
Gambling Board.
YOUTH-CITIZENS ACTION PROGRAMME, GAUTENG
The Y-CAP, as it is commonly known, was borne out

of a youth dialogue to empower and motivate youth
to be active citizens while at school. This initiative is
learner-led and has reached over 32 000 learners in
over 4 000 schools since 2010. They identify health,
welfare, education, and environmental issues to discuss
and address.

Manager: Mr Letsholo Mojanaga
Tel: 083 289 0492
Email: letsholo.mojanaga@undp.org
Manager: Ms. Janice Golding

Tel: 076 539 3479
Email: janice.golding@undp.org
Manager: Mr Bongani Matomela

Tel: 082 688 8096
Email: bongani.matomela@undp.org
Manager: Ms. Nelly Mwaka

Tel: 071 600 6385
Email: nelly.mwaka@undp.org

THE NEW SCIENCE OF
RADICAL INNOVATION
THE SIX COMPETENCIES LEADERS NEED TO WIN
BY SUNNIE GILES
Reviewed by Mr Welcome Sekwati, CPSI
DISCOVER A GROUND-BREAKING, SCIENCE-BASED APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP
THE CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE INNOVATION (CPSI)

THAT CATALYSES RADICAL INNOVATION FOR DRAMATIC AND PERMANENT RESULTS.
T
The CPSI is mandated to develop The CPSI facilitates the unearthing, Through active research and knowledge
oday’s
innovative, business
sustainable environment
and responsive is
development market,
and implementation of with huge
sharing consequences
platforms and products, for the
models forundergoing a revolutionary
improved service delivery. transfor- organisations’
innovative ideas within and throughout CPSI bottom
identifieslines.
and shares lessons
Themation,
work of the CPSI isby
defined guided by an thelevels
extraordinary public sector. It achieves this by and information on innovation
understanding of innovation in a public facilitating pilot projects aimed at trends nationally, across Africa and
of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complex-
sector context as “the creation and
The New Science
demonstrating the value of innovative
of Radical Innovation
internationally. The CPSI partners with
ity and ambiguity).
implementation of new serviceMost
deliverytraditional provides
solutions, and through activities that profound insights and
a range of individuals and actiona-
institutions in
companies
solutions (systems,are, however,
processes, still built
methods, createfor blewithin
an enabling environment tools government,
to help you accelerate
business the
and communities
models, products economy,
the old-world and services)
where the the newpublic sector to supportspeed andof in exciting andbalance
execution, mutually beneficial
between ways.
resulting in significant improvements in sustain innovation. The CPSI’s cross- This partnership model allows us to
mandate from VUCA requires sector
outcomes, efficiency, effectiveness and
a fresh team cohesion and self-organisation, and
reach makes it a resource for the leverage financial and/or intellectual
leadership approach.
quality”. whole of government, thus tap into the
bridging powerinof support
capital collective of wisdom.
government
institutional boundaries. Inside, discover how to develop the six
priorities.
Dr. Sunnie Giles is a new-generation leadership competencies you need
expert on radical innovation, who to catalyse radical innovation in your
VISION:
takes the mystery out of whateffective
A solution-focused, radicaland efficient Public Sector
organisation:
through innovation.
innovation is and transforms organisa-
MISSION:
tions into ones To fit
act as
tofacilitator
deliverforradical
the unearthing, development and practical implementation
Self-Management
of innovative solutions within and throughout the public service.
innovation. Her in-depth research reveals Providing Safety
MANDATE:
that applying concepts
• Provide from
the neurosci-
Minister for the Public Service and Creatingwith
Administration Differentiation
independent,
ence, complex-systems
diverse andapproach, and research findings and advice
forward-looking Strengthening
on innovative Connection
service
quantum mechanics delivery
canwithhelp
a specific focus on government’s priorities.
leaders Facilitating Learning
catalyse radical innovation rapidly.
• Enhance public Giles’s
service Stimulating
transformation through innovation Radical
partnerships Innovation
for incubating,
testing and development
breakthrough leadership piloting innovative solutions.
programme, called Quantum
• Support Leadership,
the creation This
of an enabling environment for book will
innovation withinhelp you redefine how
the structures
and agencies
is the key to survival of the South
in today’s VUCA African government. value is created in your industry.


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VOL.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION JOURNAL ISSN:2075- 6054

UNDERSTAND CREATE DELIVER

AS A TOOL TO OPTIMISE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY

PAGE insights PAGE public sector PAGE awards &

VISION: A solution-focused, effective and efficient Public Sector through innovation.

2 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

Editorial Getting to Know

2.1 Ramping Up Innovation for 6

Awards and Accolades

6.1 Public Sector Innovation 48

30 42 7.1 The New Science of

IDEAS THAT WORK: ADDRESS: Tel: +27 (12) 683 280 0

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 3

FROM THE WELCOME SEKWATI

4 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

We also feature, based on presenta-

In the section on news briefs, we Chief Director: Solution Chief Director:

MMABATHO MASHABA NSIZWA DLAMINI

insights Public Sector

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 5

I t is important that we all INNOVATION AT A GLOBAL, embracing new technologies to

6 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

We need to embrace innovation and

We need to work hard to shed the

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 7

You see things, and you say ‘Why?’ But I dream

8 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

As African policymakers, public How do we tackle our complex

Futurist Jim Dator theorised that Particularly, as South Africans, or

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 9

Furthermore, there are a myriad

These systemic challenges mean

10 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

Part of South Africa’s policy I have already alluded to the

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 11

The Forward Engagement Project

• Hindsight – which is an awareness

12 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 13

AS A TOOL TO OPTIMISE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 15

16 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 17

Divergence and convergence are key

The design thinking journey can

18 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 19

20 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 21

below). In addition, citizens can send cal area to inform engagement 2

in a particular area to help inform

Using the app, local municipality is accountable. Furthermore, citizens

22 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

Citizens feel empowered, con- Citizen satisfaction score

Thulamela Local Municipality uti- An online dashboard owned and

A stronger, more collaborative A functioning civil society network

The project importantly incorpo- delivery protests and strikes. Now

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 23

24 CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK

W Africa, where there is a ten-

CPSI IDEAS THAT WORK 25

The sheer enormity of this plastic pollution and the