What we do and why we do it

The Motherload Project at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is a feminist research collective that focuses on the social, economic and political dimensions of care that is often invisible, undervalued and disproportionately done by women. 

Our work aims to:

  • understand care and The Motherload;
  • produce research on how care is valued, shared and supported socially and economically; and
  • support evidence-informed action and transformation.

We explore questions like: What is care? How is care distributed across gender, class, race and other social lines? At what cost is care performed? How does care work shape people's lives, especially in marginalised communities?

Our journey

Milestones of The Motherload Project through the years

2022

The research team secures a grant for the Motherload Pilot Project through the UCT Vision 2030 Grand Challenges Programme1.

2023

Twelve mothers join the Motherload Pilot Project at the start of the year. The project concludes in November with a compelling photovoice exhibition.

The research team secures funding from the Canadian IDRC's Scaling Care Innovations in Africa2 initiative to expand the project.

2024

The scaling project kicks off, including fathers as participants.

 

Preview image for the video remote "Motherload Exhibition 2023".

[1] UCT Vision 2030 Grand Challenges Programme [2] Scaling Care Innovations in Africa (IDRC)

Collaboration and inclusion

As a project collective, we work together with diverse stakeholders to collaboratively design, conduct and share socially engaged research, emphasising shared power, mutual learning and collective decision-making. Our approach is one of co-creating knowledge with affected communities, challenging dominant narratives and working toward practical change. 

We use methodologies like participatory action research, including photovoice and other arts-based tools, to centre marginalised voices, especially those of low-income mothers, in knowledge production. We value lived experience as valid knowledge. 

Our stakeholders engage reflexively across the project lifespan to document the realities of care work, amplify mothers’ voices and advocate for policies that recognise, redistribute and appropriately support caregiving.

Stakeholders of The Motherload Project include:

  • Academics across disciplines
  • NGO partners
  • Government partners
  • Members of marginalised community

Development goals

Committed to the SDGs through research and education. The Motherload Project is proud to support the university's efforts in addressing critical challenges through the UCT SDGs 2030 initiative.

The Motherload Project is committed to fostering an environment that champions knowledge, innovation and inclusivity. Our work is strongly aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:  

  • SDG 1: No poverty
  • SDG 2: Zero hunger
  • SDG 3: Good health and well-being
  • SDG 5: Gender equality
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
  • SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

In addition, we uphold the principles of the African Union's Agenda 2063, which emphasises sustainable development and progress across the African continent.

Our commitment is further guided by UCT's Vision 2030, "Unleash human potential to create a fair and just society," which drives our focus on academic excellence, transformation, social responsiveness and robust support systems.

These guiding frameworks shape everything we do, inspiring us to make a lasting and meaningful impact.