Abstract
A number of government interventions, across the globe, has been instrumental in driving growth, development and innovation. Social innovation can provide effective solutions to challenging social and environmental issues in support of social progress. As South Africa faces unique development challenges, an increase in innovation can lead to economic and social development. This article considers the nature and manifestations of social innovation in the South African context. This article is descriptive and theoretical in nature. A qualitative approach is adopted, by means of a desktop study. The findings of the research suggest that social innovation provide novel approaches that aim to meet social needs in a better way than the prevailing approaches. A number of barriers to social innovation identified in the South African context, include a lack of a conducive entrepreneurial ecosystem, insufficient policy development and implementation, lack of funding and lack of management capacity. A more holistic approach to increase social innovation during and post, a National State of Disaster caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, is needed in South Africa. A ‘Fivefold Helix’ approach to cooperation, co-creation, partnership, capacity building, leadership and collaboration for increased social innovation is recommended in South Africa. This approach entails a network of the following actors: government, business, universities, civil society and communities working together to solve social problems.