Education Panel Discussion at the Innagural Back to School fundraising dinner
On Thursday evening, 2 July, 400 guests, dressed in school uniforms, attended the inaugural Bloemfontein Back to School fundraising dinner in support of education foundation, Kagiso Shanduka Trust. The event took place at the Emoya Estate and was hosted by Deputy President and Shanduka Foundation Chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa, Free State Premier Ace Magashule, Free State MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe and Kagiso Trust Chairperson, Reverend Frank Chikane.
The event celebrates the unique partnership between the Kagiso Shanduka Trust and the Free State Department of Education and emphasises the value of collaboration in order to make a meaningful and lasting impact in education. Over R1.8-million was raised through individual and corporate pledges on the night which will support Kagiso Shanduka Trust's Free State whole school development programme in 428 schools in the Fezile Dabi and Motheo districts. The programme includes the provision of basic and specialised infrastructure, leadership and governance support, curriculum development for educators, learner support in critical learning areas and a social welfare programme that addresses the health and social needs of vulnerable learners.
Since the project launched in March 2013, 97 schools have received curriculum support programmes, 215 leadership retreats have taken place, over 60 schools have received infrastructure projects and over 16,000 learners have had their eyes tested. The project aims to benefit some 200,000 school going children in the province.
During the event's panel discussion, Shanduka Foundation Chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa, spoke of some of the key elements of whole school development. "It is about enthusiastic and passionate school leadership and hardworking pupils with supportive parents, living in a community that values its schools." He shared insight into the KST's community-centric building model which offers temporary employment opportunities to the parents of school children and the use of community businesses. Already, over 700 temporary jobs have been created and 80 community businesses have been involved in the development programmes.
Learners, Kearabetwe Afrika, Kamohelo Swato and Ma
Kagiso Shanduka Trust, Advisory Board Chairperson, Reverend Frank Chikane, said, "This partnership brings together the strengths and learnings from the different organisations and has resulted in a sustainable, scalable and replicable model for the education system. When efforts are combined it ensures that the impact we achieve as Kagiso Shanduka Trust and the Free State Department of Education is far greater than what would be possible if we were to work in isolation."
Free State MEC for education, Tate Makgoe said, "The Free State Department of Education and Kagiso Shanduka Trust have a shared vision to make education an empowering experience and equip children with the skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of our society. There is a lot more that needs to be done but its fundraisers such as these are a step in the right direction in supporting programmes that create positive change for learners in the Free State, providing them with the skills and the knowledge to empower them to reach their full potential. These events also give companies and individuals an opportunity to contribute to education in their community. Together we can make a difference in the future of South Africa."
