Bertha Centre’s Systems Justice & Innovation (SJI) team has been spearheading an initiative to support the sustainability of the Community Action Networks (CAN) initiatives across Cape Town.

In partnership with Inyathelo, South Africa’s Institute for Advancement and the GSB’s Solution Space, Bertha Centre’s SJI team has launched the CAN Incubator which offers workshops and mentorship to develop entrepreneurship skills to representatives from Cape Town CANs.

On 1 October 2022, Community Action Network (CAN) entrepreneurs from across Cape Town presented their business cases and pitched their market opportunity. The Demo-day was the final event of the 2022 Entrepreneurship Track as part of the CAN Sustainability Network's initiatives to sustain the work and development of the incredible social activism of CANs that continue to provide essential support to communities across the city. The day was a symbol of the character of CAN organisations across Cape Town – generative and compassionate.

15 Initiatives/Social enterprises presented over the course of the day, with rallying support from CAN network champions in attendance and constructive feedback and guidance from mentors and facilitators. Aside from the awarding of several spark grants to social enterprises linked to the CANs, BC and Inyathelo are considering an extension of support with mentorship and skills development opportunities going forward.

Bertha Centre believes in social entrepreneurship as a vehicle for sustaining engaged citizenship and ground up community organizing whilst fostering livelihoods and creating local economic opportunities.