South African Conversations
South African Conversations: Empowering Communities Through Media and Social Entrepreneurship
South African Conversations is a majority Black-owned, socially-driven media and publishing company dedicated to addressing societal challenges and creating sustainable opportunities for South Africans. Through its innovative initiatives, the company empowers marginalized communities, generates income for the unemployed, and fosters solutions-oriented dialogue across the nation.
Our Initiatives
- Community Conversations
Monthly, solutions-focused dialogues hosted in historically disadvantaged communities. These events provide meaningful employment opportunities, generating income for up to five unemployed individuals per community. Earnings range from R428 (security guard) to R1,498 (facilitator) per event, funded by advertising partnerships. Each event can host multiple advertisers, and thousands of potential conversation locations exist nationwide.
Learn more: Community Conversations - Monthly Magazine
A nationwide magazine distributed via non-profits and sold by unemployed individuals. Non-profits can earn up to R1,500 per month per seller, while magazine sellers can earn up to R3,750 per month. With South Africa's 280,329 registered NPOs across 278 municipalities, this initiative has the potential to support 300 sellers, generating a combined income of R1,125,000 monthly or R13,500,000 annually through small change from compassionate buyers.
Learn more: Monthly Magazine - Resource Directory
A comprehensive guide featuring NPOs, civil society programs, government initiatives, global best practices, and more. Non-commercial listings are free, while ambassadors earn commissions, and contributors are paid for their content. This directory is a valuable tool for marginalized communities and those serving them.
Learn more: Resource Directory
Our Vision
Each initiative is designed as a synergistic component of a larger ecosystem, addressing economic and social challenges. While each can operate as a standalone venture, scalability and shared infrastructure are key to achieving profitability and lasting impact.
Current Status: Rebuilding Post-COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted South African Conversations, causing financial losses, infrastructure damage, and operational disruptions. Despite these challenges, the company retains fully developed systems, policies, and products, including the labor-intensive printed Resource Directory.
Funding Needs:
- Website completion and SEO implementation.
- Employment of 8–10 professional staff for production, marketing, and sales.
- Restarting Community Conversations and the Monthly Magazine.
- Comprehensive marketing of the Resource Directory.