OUR STORIES

Should social capital be intentionally taught as part of South Africa’s Life Orientation curriculum? This was the question at the heart of the Simunye 2.0 close-out event, hosted by Christel House South Africa at The Westin Cape Town on 18 August 2026.

The event brought together educators, school leaders, business leaders, policymakers and changemakers to reflect on what Simunye has achieved and to explore how social capital in education could help create greater access to opportunity for young people across South Africa.

Building social capital across South Africa’s wealth divide

Launched in 2020, Simunye, meaning “We Are One”, was created to bring learners from different socioeconomic backgrounds together and provide meaningful opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from one another.

The programme has since grown from five pilot schools to 12 participating schools, connecting learners across South Africa’s wealth divide and demonstrating what can happen when young people are intentionally given opportunities to build relationships and networks beyond their immediate communities.

For Christel House South Africa, this work speaks to a wider challenge: young people do not enter adulthood with equal access to the relationships, networks and social connections that can help open doors to further education, careers, mentorship and opportunity.

That raises an important question for South Africa’s education system: Could schools play a more intentional role in helping every learner build social capital?

From Simunye to South Africa’s Life Orientation curriculum

Hosted by media personality, Saskia Falken, the Simunye 2.0 close-out event created a platform for discussion about the potential role of social capital within South Africa’s Life Orientation curriculum, with a keynote address by Dr Ismail Teladia, Senior Curriculum Director for Life Orientation.

Carol Kriel, Principal of Christel House Junior School, shared the story behind Simunye and its growth, while Ian Ryan, Principal of Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory School, reflected on his experience as one of the original pilot schools, and Nomthandazo Zweni, Principal of Holy Cross RC Primary School, spoke about the impact of the programme, particularly its ECHO component, on learners and staff.

Christel House South Africa CEO, Adri Marais, presented data demonstrating the impact of Simunye and connected this to research showing the important relationship between social capital and upward economic mobility.

The next chapter: advocacy for social capital in education

While Simunye 2.0 has officially concluded, the work is far from over.

The next chapter will focus on advocacy, taking the lessons, experiences and evidence emerging from Simunye into a broader national conversation about social capital, social cohesion, inequality and opportunity in South African education.

Simunye 2.0 may be closing, but the next chapter has only just begun.