What the data is already telling us.
Based on the information currently available in NED Connect:
- 205 organisations have shared information about their work.
- These organisations collectively report supporting 4,946 schools across South Africa.
- This means that 19% of South Africa's schools are currently known to be receiving support from civil society organisations.
- Together, these organisations represent an estimated R 857 million in annual programme expenditure, employ approximately 5,766 people, and reach an estimated 6.7 million people every year.
The reports also reveal fascinating patterns in the ecosystem.
Teacher Support is currently the most commonly reported focus area, delivered by 100 organisations, followed by Foundational Literacy (92 organisations), Early Childhood Development (80), Post-school Youth Development (77) and Foundational Numeracy (74). The reports also allow users to explore support by province, helping identify regional strengths and opportunities for collaboration.
But this is only the beginning.
The maps and reports are only as complete as the information we collect.
We know that thousands more organisations are making a difference in schools and communities every day. If those organisations are missing from NED Connect - or if their profiles don't include the schools, districts or focus areas they support - then the national picture remains incomplete.
Every organisation that joins NED Connect helps improve our collective understanding of South Africa's education ecosystem.
Every profile added or updated helps us answer important questions:
- Which schools are already well supported?
- Where are there gaps in services?
- Which districts need additional partners?
- Which organisations could collaborate rather than duplicate effort?
- Where should future investment be directed?
The more complete our data becomes, the better equipped government, funders and civil society will be to coordinate resources, strengthen partnerships and ensure that every learner, school and community has the support they need.
Help us complete the map.
If your organisation is already on NED Connect, please take a few minutes to review and update your profile - especially your school, district and geographic information.
If your organisation isn't yet part of the community, now is the perfect time to join.
Together, we're building more than a directory. We're creating South Africa's most comprehensive picture of education support - turning data into insight, and insight into better decisions for every learner.
