Issue #14 | August 2014
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CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP August 2014 Kagiso Trust InBrief | 1
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CONTENTS
AUGUST 14
INSIDE INBRIEF p4. Word from Corporate Affairs
p5. 5 Minutes with Azaeel Keele p7. Did You Know?
p11
p10. 9th Education Conversations
p5
p7
p12.
Kagiso Activ’s eSkills 4 Teachers
p13.
KERPEF’s franchise fund
p15.
Kagiso Shanduka Trust
p17.
Kagiso Trust Consultancy
p19.
KTH in Ghana
p21.
Honouring Mandela
p23.
Money Matters with Mzo
p24. Paying Tribute to Mr Lumko Huna
p10
p26.
Too much focus on Grade 12
p27.
Notices
p28.
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WORD FROM
CORPORATE AFFAIRS
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s we celebrated former President Nelson Mandela’s legacy, through Mandela Day, we reflected on Conscious Leadership. Robert Greenleaf, author of Servant Leadership observed that “Good leaders must first become good servants.” They focus on “we”, rather than “me.” They inspire, foster transformation and bring out the best in those around them. They understand that their role is to serve a higher purpose, support the people around them and to create value for all stakeholders. They recognize the integral role of culture and purposefully cultivate a conscious culture of trust and care. In celebrating Women’s month this August and as we continue to celebrate South Africa’s 20 years of democracy, we pay homage to the legacy of some of our Conscious Leaders, that is, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, who rose up against the extension of Pass Laws to black Women, which infringed on
their freedom of movement. The 1956 Women’s march to the Union Buildings is a testimony of strength, determination and activism across the class and racial barriers amongst South African Women.
As we celebrate Women’s Month, I would like to encourage our young South African Women to put their foot forward in pursuit of becoming the Conscious Leaders our country needs, in bringing about change in different sectors of our society.
These Women displayed strength, served a higher purpose and helped to mould South Africa as we know it today.
“Go out there and grab the world by the lapels… You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.
Their heroic efforts have placed today’s young Women in a historically exceptional position, where they are better empowered to influence laws and policies in the future, and further ensure the equal treatment of not only Women, but all individuals.
In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.” Maya Angelou
Countless Women from various sectors of society continue to serve as role models, demonstrating the importance of writing women back into history and looking forward to great things in the future. They have persevered through social, cultural and legal challenges and created lasting legacies of achievements for the following generations to follow and enjoy.
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5 MINUTES WITH AZAEL KEELE
When did you start working in the education sector and how was the experience? I was introduced to the education sector in 1970, I was 24 years old. I was a teacher at a school called Koos Motha in Qwaqwa. The school was situated in a very rural place with no infrastructure and no electricity. The school had Sub A (Grade 1) to Standard 6 (Grade 8) classes and, being the only school in the area, found many of our classes overcrowded, which made teaching a challenge. Lack of infrastructure and resources at the school made it difficult for leaners and teachers alike: some learners had to sit on stones or kneel on the floor in class and there was usually just one textbook available per subject and the teachers were expected to summarise it and teach the learners. We also had to teach all the subjects to the class, this made for what we call ‘Jack of all trades and master of none’.
But the learners did their homework and teachers, although without the relevant qualifications, were dedicated to their work. Another challenge for me was that I was a 24 year old teacher, teaching classes where some of the learners were my age and even older. How many years did you spend in the education sector? I have spent 44 years in the education sector, the past seven of which were spent with Kagiso Trust. There was a stage in my career where I became a principal in a secondary school and we had no head of departments (HoDs). I had to handle the administration and the curriculum of the school. What else could I do? I introduced extra classes to all boys in the school, which later became part and parcel of the culture of the school and through taking these initiatives, my relationship with the teachers improved.
Our school’s results were improving and although I hardly went home before midnight, I knew it was worth it. How did you come to work with Kagiso Trust? That happened around the time I was about to retire from Education. My supervisor, Mr De Beer informed me that he had attended a meeting with the MEC and an NGO. He said the NGO, Kagiso Trust, was looking for someone to coordinate a programme in the Thabo Mofutsanyana area, someone who had leadership skills, had knowledge of the schools in the area and possessed a passion for education. Mr De Beer said he informed the meeting that I was the most relevant person and gave Kagiso Trust my contact details. And so Kagiso Trust gave me a call and we arranged a meeting.
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I was not too keen on taking the position: I’m not a paperwork kind of person. But I realised that with this position I would be interacting with schools quite frequently. I came to enjoy it a lot. What are the key changes you have picked up in education over the years? When I was still a learner, around the 1950s, there were very few schools. Being a learner was an honour and teaching was regarded a noble profession and were respected by the entire community. During those times if you were a teacher there were certain things you did not do in public, such as smoking, drinking and using obscene language. As learners we were disciplined and despite having to walk long distances to school, we were hardly late. In 1976 the Soweto Uprising brought about a big change. Learner attitude and behaviour drastically changed. Discipline collapsed. Teachers lost their confidence and felt unsafe as no protection was offered to them. The slogan back then was “Freedom first, education later” and there can be no education without discipline. The 1980s saw a lot of disturbances at school; many learners were dropping out. The majority of
learners who were part of the Riots in Gauteng ended up attending schools in the homelands and completing their schooling.
I am committed and dedicate to work I do. Time management is also key… in order to be successful, one must observe time. Oh, I’m also very strict.
In the 1990s more schools for black people were built in South Africa, the process had started in the late eighties. This was great because most townships did not even have secondary schools. Later on in the early 2000’s Kagiso Trust was also involved with training teachers on curriculum and computers and providing infrastructure to schools. The changes that took place in our country have been radical.
Any words of wisdom?
The BNSDP schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district have displayed an enormous amount of respect for you. Why do you think this is? [laughs] Why do you ask me this question? You should ask the people who said that… well, I think my personality could have attributed to that. I respect myself and I also respect others, whether they are adults or children. When it comes to respect I do not hesitate to give it where it is due. My character could have also been an attributing factor: when I’m given work to do, I do it without the need to be pushed from behind. I believe in doing rather than talking.
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To learners: take the opportunity to attend school. You will remember I mentioned that going to school for me was an honour. Now there are schools everywhere; beautiful schools with resources, you no longer have to pay school fees or walk long distances and there are even schools where learners are fed. Make use of this opportunity and learn. Become better people for your parents and our country; To educators: “Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return again” Robin Sharma. Do more than what you are paid for, more than is expected of you. The future of our learners is in your hands; To Kagiso Trust: Kagiso Trust has made such a difference in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district and to think we started there with 10 schools in 2007. All I have to say is continue the work you are doing. South Africa could be the best country if the BNSDP could be implemented in all the provinces.
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DID YOU KNOW? Eric Molobi, former Kagiso Trust CEO and Kagiso Trust Investments founding CEO, was detained in December of 1987. This is a letter he wrote to Kagiso Trust while in prison. We thank Dr Max Coleman for availing it to us.
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www.kagiso.co.za Transcribed Letter 15 December 1987 Greetings to you, the board of Kagiso Trust, and the entire staff. At last the South African security police have detained me. A Major Van Wyk found me after having discussions with Mr Govan Mbeki whom I regard as the national leader of our people. Van Wyk told me that he detains me under Regulation 3 of the Internal Security Act. I asked him what unlawful act have I committed, he said by being a member of the Executive of the NECC, he is empowered by law to detain me indefinitely. From that fateful night of Monday 7, I am kept in detention obviously under the wishes of a security police officer. Around me there are many youngsters; some have been here for over a year. I would like the members of the Kagiso Trust board to raise my detention with the European Economic Community. I would like the ECC, parliament, the standing committee, the SANAM group, to know that I am detained not foe any unlawful act I have committed but simply because I belong to an organisation which has stated on numerous occasions its opposition to Bantu Education as a system of education. In my last speech at our consultative conference, I stated clearly that the NECC is a nonviolent organisation, which however, is vehemently opposed to apartheid in education. I have thought endlessly about the motive behind this arbitrary and malicious encroachment on individual freedom, I can only come up with one, listening to other detainees speaking to each other at night, the sought of action breeds bitterness. This sought of action hardens the feelings of many young people, it makes their hearts full of hatred and vengeance. They watch their lives being wasted. We sit with no books to read, our conditions are terrible and we ask ourselves what have we done? My organisation is one that actually pressed for discussions with the DET. Today, the South African government says it is reforming its officials for media and overseas consumption, say they want to talk. How can they talk to prisoners and detained persons? Are they not burning bridges by tormenting young Black South Africans through detention without trial, through letting them rot under inhuman conditions? I don’t feel pity for myself nor do I think that my fellow detainees ask for mercy. What we want is for the civilised world to take heed and note. Even from the dungeons of apartheid, shame and human degradation, we raise our voices for the world to know that we still believe in democratic rule, we still believe in human rights and human freedom, even for those who keep us in conditions such as we experience daily. For all governments which in one way or other deal with the South African government, may you not forget that there is no shortcut to democracy. If it has to last, it must include democratically elected leaders of our people. Thank you all, Eric Molobi
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www.kagiso.co.za EDUCATION CONVERSATIONS 19 JUNE 2014
20 Years of Democracy Where to from here?
According to Mr Mathanzima Mweli, acting DDG from the Department of Basic Education, the theme for the new government administration around education is quality and efficiency. “The department measures its success according to four guiding principles, namely access, redress, equity and efficiency,” Mweli told those in attendance at the 9th instalment of the Education Conversations, hosted by Kagiso Trust, University of Johannesburg and City Press.
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he topic, titled ‘20 years of democracy – where to from here’ - addressed the challenges, successes and the road ahead for the Department of Basic Education through discussions initiated by a panellist before being extended to the audience of education specialists and members of the public in attendance. “In terms of access, 98% of learners are now enrolled in the education system, 77% of these students attend low fees schools. 9 million out of 11 million are in feeding schemes, which covers 21 000 of the 24 000 public schools in South Africa,” Mweli said.
“Poor progress has been noted around quality. Both regional and national passes are not of the quality that they are supposed to be,” Mweli added.
But 45% of our learners are being pushed out of the system between Grades 10-12.
Currently only 30% of Grade 12 learners qualify to study for a bachelor degree and the Department would like to aim for a 10% increase. “To do this we will have to focus on capacity
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for absorption and post schooling options, such as making FET colleges more attractive.” The challenges noted by the Department centred on teacher development, to address this, qualifications have increased to 53%, however improved qualifications have not translated to better teaching and learner outcomes. “Teachers aren’t teaching as much as they should, as a result the Minister has started calling quarterly as well as district meetings to measure improvement in this regard,” added Mweli.
www.kagiso.co.za The learner repetition rate is also “a chronic issue,” said Mweli. “The new administration realises the importance of infrastructure, and as a result a new school will be handed over ever week in the Eastern Cape,” Mweli said. President Jacob Zuma reiterated this during his State of the Nation address this week. Professor Salim Vally, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Education Rights and Transformation said South Africa had a good story to tell if we use the education system during apartheid as a baseline. “Corruption Watch talked of tender entrepreneurs who take food out of the mouths of children. In Limpopo 100 000 children were denied school meals. 90% of public schools don’t have proper functioning libraries, added Vally.
“We don’t have a language policy, we have a languish policy. We talk about our access being the highest in the world, but 45% of our learners are being pushed out of the system between Grades 10-12. Let us acknowledge that we have made mistakes.” Also speaking on the panel, was Nikkie Mboweni, University of Johannesburg SRC President, who gave her perspective on the urgent action needed to be taken by the DBE such as “modifying content, unlocking the potential of sportsmen and women, career guidance in high schools and the need to make learning more appealing.” Mboweni agreed with Mweli saying learners needed to be encouraged to attend FET colleges as universities couldn’t be the only solution for all.
About the Education Conversations The Education Conversations are aimed at encouraging South Africa to talk, as well as to create a space for on‐going debate and discussion through which diverse voices can be heard. The conversations focus on what works and how we can collectively advance the agenda for an improved public education system.
OFF THE PRESS EDUCATION CONVERSATIONS ARTICLE: SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 15 JUNE 2014
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KagisoActiv’s eSkills 4 Teachers Empowering BNSDP educators through computer literacy
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n the times we are living in, we have no choice but to adapt to the technology-driven environment we live in and ultimately, use it to our advantage. KagisoActiv (KA) is doing just that, having trained more than 2 500 educators in the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district, Free State. In September of 2008 Kagiso Trust Consultancy bought a share of Activ Training after which the company became known as KagisoActiv. During 2009 KagisoActiv decided to invest in the development of a South African product specifically for educators. This product, eSKills 4 Teachers, was launched in March 2010 and piloted at 9 BNSDP schools in QwaQwa, Free State during that year. “The pilot was
a great success” said Celeste Katzew, KagisoActiv Managing Director. “The training enabled educators to use technology in the classroom to deliver curriculum. It also made them confident in the use of computers to lessen their admin load and to prepare exciting and interesting lessons so that the learners could benefit.” Successfully trained educators have received certificates from the North West University. eSkills 4 Teachers is approved as one of the short courses at the North West University. In July 2013 KA held a certification ceremony at Tshiya in Phuthaditjhaba for about 900 educators who were trained in the second half of 2012 and first half of 2013. Educators were given a platform to demonstrate the
KagisoActiv trainers assisting the educators during a training session
An educator showing off her computer skills at the certification ceremony
Happy educators with their certificates
KagisoActiv staff and trainers
skills acquired. In this certification ceremony professors from Northwest University were present to congratulate successful educators. The successof the project resulted in the Free State Department of Education committing to extending the training to the Fezile Dabi district and indicating that all educators in the Free State need this training. Following unannounced and random checks at schools which received computer training, KagisoActiv conducted research to see whether the educators where implementing the skills which they were taught in the day-to-day running of the school. The results indicated that of the 51 previously trained schools they visited, 90% are currently utilizing their computer skills.
A school principal shakes Kagiso Trust CEO Kgotso Schoeman’s hand before receiving her certificate
Comments from Educators: “This has changed my life because now I can pass on the knowledge to the learners of using computers” “I did not know how to start a computer. Now I can use it for presentations as well as admin.” “The course has changed my life a lot because now I am able to search for information from the internet. I feel that I’m part of the bigger world.”
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KERPEF’s Franchise Fund Promoting Job Creation and Black Economic Empowerment
On Friday, 6 June 2014, The Kagiso Enterprise Rural Private Equity Fund (“KERPEF/ the Fund”) signed a R10 million service level agreement with SA Franchise Warehouse and launched the franchise fund. The fund is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
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ince inception, KERPEF has funded various businesses spanning from agricultural farming to fast moving consumer goods distributors in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, none of which were franchises. Given high unemployment especially among the youth, KERPEF, in a bid to make a greater impact in the country’s economic and social landscape, has expanded its mandate to fund entrepreneurs whose businesses create employment across the country. KERPEF Senior Manager, Mohlolo Selala, shared why KERPEF chose to enter the franchise space: “The franchise model provides for two key factors being, technical support, and access to market. The fund will also facilitate black persons ownership in franchised businesses. Funded businesses are required to have a minimum of 26% black ownership”.
Selala explained that entrepreneurs are often expected to contribute 50% to qualify for a franchise and this has proved difficult for most of them to own franchised businesses. With the KERPEF franchise fund, entrepreneurs are to contribute 20% of the required funding amount. Within a week of signing the service level agreement with SA Franchise Warehouse, KERPEF already has a number of transactions to process. “This shows that there is a dire need for the fund”, reflected Selala. With most franchise businesses costing anything between R600 000 to R5 million, KERPEF’s franchise fund is making franchising more accessible to entrepreneurs who would otherwise never have enough funds to purchase a franchise of their own due to lack of cash or collaterals contributions normally required by funders.
KERPEF’s Franchise Fund Application Process To apply for funding, candidate franchisees have to be referred by an accredited franchisor after having been approved by such franchisors in terms of their own criteria. In addition, SA Franchise Warehouse will apply its own franchisee selection criteria and enroll qualifying candidates on a Small Business Management Training course in Pretoria. On successful completion of the course, the application is processed further and once the funder approves the application, the business commences. Making a social impact In South Africa, the small businesses are the biggest employer, however, the failure rate of small businesses is high.
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“Since the franchise system is a proven business model and that the KERPEF franchise fund has the ingredients to help small businesses succeed, this has influenced KERPEF’s decision to create the franchise fund,” pointed out Selala, “The fund is beneficial to both the franchisor and the franchisee; in that the franchisee receives all the assistance and support needed for the business to flourish, which in turn promotes the franchisor’s brand through franchised outlets success rate”, stated Selala. According to the agreement, following the commencement of business, SA Franchise Warehouse will provide business administration support and ongoing mentoring to the funded businesses. SA Franchise Warehouse will set up financial, human resource and general business reporting systems. “KERPEF is excited with the initiative and to have SA Franchise Warehouse as a partner with extensive experience in the franchise industry to support the funded businesses. The major benefit is that the model is easy, cost effective to replicate and result in low cost per job created. With the technical assistance and ongoing business support from SA Franchise Warehouse and the franchisor, the business is already at an advantage and has a better chance of success” noted Selala.
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“I have become the change
I want to see in my school As we celebrate Mandela Month, one learner shares how the Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) programme has assisted her to walk the talk. KST’s Thabang Moselakgomo met up with the enthusiastic learner. RCL secretary, Mandisa Marosha
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W
hile most matriculants are working hard to ensure they acquire the university entry mark, the RCL secretary, Mandisa Marosha from Boitlamo Secondary School in Parys, Free State is helping fellow learners to improve their marks. Before attending the Kagiso Shanduka Trust empowerment and transformation workshop (known as a retreat workshop) on the 14th of February 2014, being a member of the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) was an opportunity to be in power and a platform for fame for the 17 year old. Today she has learnt that she can use the power she has, positively and has since changed how she works with other learners. “I have learnt the importance of team work” says Mandisa. Participating on KST’s retreat workshop has reformed how Mandisa conducts herself in her role as the RCL secretary. She has taken it upon herself, together with her RCL team, to monitor some of the challenges they face such as the lack of commitment from the RCL
members, the lack of communication between the team as well as the lack of motivation and discipline in their school. She has found a new purpose in her role; it has become more than just being the RCL secretary. Mandisa has taken the platform her role gives her to motivate other learners to take education very seriously and decrease the number of absenteeism and late coming in their school. Mandisa is determined to contribute to an improved pass rate at her school by helping fellow learners with homework and assisting where they need help. Her goal for her last year in school is to increase the pass rate of girls in Boitlamo Secondary School and decrease the number of teenage pregnancies in the school. She plans to start a support group at her school which will help learners with the challenges they face outside of school and in turn, positively affect their performance at school. She joyfully explains how the retreat has made a huge difference in their schooling system: educators and the RCL team are communicating better than before and they are involved at parent meetings.
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Mandisa’s wish is to see unity at her school between educators and learners, and for educators to be able to recognise any obstacles that the learners may encounter during lessons. She expresses her appreciation for the opportunity to attend the retreat workshop as it has groomed her into an exceptional learner, “I have become the change I want to see in my school…” Mandisa said, personalising Mahatma Ghandi’s famous quote. Mandisa wants to study medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand next year. She is determined to take full advantage of what the Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) programme is offering her and will make it her mission to enlighten other learners as well as the RCL team on the opportunity the KST programme is giving their school. She is certain not only of the discernible contribution she will make to the matric pass rate, but to the overall performance of the school.
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Local Government Business Unit KTC Local Government was set up to partner with government and provide revenue management solutions to improve local government sustainability. The funding model followed by KTC is similar to the successful funding model of Kagiso Trust’s Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP), which has partnered with the Free State Department of Education. The partnership approach to local government emphasises the need to share both the financial and project results risk with government. KTC’s local government focus is on improving municipal business integrity with specific outcomes of debt reduction and revenue improvement. KTC has completed its first local government revenue management
contract with Gariep Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. This project has been important to KTC as the experiences in this project define how KTC intends doing business with municipalities into the future. The Gariep project also assisted KTC to test its newly established Kagiso Data Optimization System (K’DOS) as a data purification tool and this exposure has led to significant product enhancements that will provide South African local government a significant tool to improve overall performance into the future. The results of the Gariep project have been significant in both improved revenue and debt reduction.
Debt Reduction:
Debt Reduction: The Debt Graph above illustrates a reduction of debt of R33,564 million (30.04%) even though indigent debt continues to grow as a result of an inaccurate and
incomplete indigent register.
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July 2012 – March 2013 (9 months) revenue collection = R17,836,028.11 July 2013 – March 2014 (9 months) revenue collection = R22,720,841.90 This comparison reflects a 27.39% increase in revenue for the same period in 2 consecutive years. Gariep Municipal Manager, “The project has been a success; I have not needed to secure an overdraft to pay salaries this financial year”.
Lessons Learnt from this project
The sustainable turnaround of municipal performance in South Africa is not about the IT platforms, Billing Systems, Financial Management Systems, Meter technology, Credit Management Tool, indigent Registration, to name a few, of the excuses given.
It is all about the human capital, the will to change and learn. It is about the integrity and commitment to work hard, foster effective leadership and management and to ensure that the correct skill set exists to be effective. Once these critical success factors are in place, then can technical solutions and tools be introduced.
Conclusion
KTC looks forward to future partnerships with municipalities in South Africa and remains committed to supporting local government to improve its business integrity and ability to service the citizens of the country.
For more information on Kagiso Trust Consultancy, contact Paul Smith on 011 566 1900 or email psmith@KTConsultancy.co.za
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Successful completion of Kagiso Tiso Holdings’ investment in Ghana Following on the announcement of a formal signing of a minority equity investment in Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited, Kagiso Tiso Holdings Proprietary Limited (“KTH”) is pleased to announce that the transaction has been successfully concluded after receiving approval from the Bank of Ghana. KTH is investing alongside Amethis Finance and Edmond de Rothschild Europportunities II and in addition to the equity investment, has also subscribed for convertible preference shares, which upon conversion will increase its stake over time.
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TH’s Chief Investment Officer, Jacob Hinson, comments “As our first transaction outside of South Africa, we are delighted to be partnering with Fidelity Bank and its outstanding management team. Our experience throughout this transaction has reinforced our strategy of partnering with companies in various key sectors with strong, effective management teams in order to build on the diversity of our portfolio. As Fidelity Bank pursues its strategy to become a world class, Ghanaian bank, we intend to explore synergies between the Ghanaian and South African markets and look forward to identifying mutually beneficial opportunities. Now that we have successfully concluded our investment in Fidelity Bank, we are eagerly pursuing new investment opportunities in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia.” As Fidelity Bank pursues its strategy to become a world class,
Ghanaian bank, we intend to explore synergies between the Ghanaian and South African markets and look forward to identifying mutually beneficial opportunities. Now that we have successfully concluded our investment in Fidelity Bank, we are eagerly pursuing new investment opportunities in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia.” KTH is South Africa’s pre-eminent black owned and managed investment holding company and boasts a diverse investment portfolio with stakes in market-leading companies across key sectors, including media and ICT, financial services, resources, power and industrials. The group has a net asset value of approximately ZAR 10 billion, a solid track record of investment performance and has demonstrated an ability to create long term shareholder value through its superior capital allocation skills. Following the recent completion of a ZAR 1.9 billion buy-out of the minorities in its Kagiso Media subsidiary, KTH announced its
Our experience throughout this transaction has reinforced our strategy of partnering with companies in various key sectors with strong, effective management teams in order to build on the diversity of our portfolio.
ambition to diversify its portfolio into fast growing markets, particularly in West and East Africa and has set aside substantial funds to pursue this strategy. The Fidelity transaction represents a significant milestone for KTH and is its first direct investment outside of South Africa.
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Fidelity was created in 1998 as a discount house to provide investment products and services to both private and institutional customers. Fidelity Bank was issued with a universal banking license in 2006, with the ambition to create a world class commercial bank. The Bank has grown at three times the industry average and is now seen as one of the strongest indigenous banks in the industry, with a network of 50 branches across Ghana. Fidelity is the 6th largest bank in the country by customer deposits. Edward Effah, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana said, “We welcome KTH’s investment in Fidelity Bank and their appointment to our board of directors. We look forward to building a mutually successful relationship that will assist us in achieving our strategy of becoming a world class bank both in Ghana and in Africa.
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KTH’s Chief Executive Officer, Vuyisa Nkonyeni concluded by saying, “This is a significant transaction for KTH and we are encouraged by the strength of our partnership with Fidelity Bank. As we look to developing our pan-African strategy further, the importance of identifying and exploring opportunities across key sectors remains a core focus area.” Kagiso Tiso Holdings has evolved into a business model that is about marrying the creation of financial value to the facilitation of social value. Kagiso Trust and Tiso Foundation are critical shareholders, who will continue to imbue the organisation with a sustainable and socially responsible business approach.
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Kagiso Trust Remembers Huna 26 January 1951 – 30 June 2014
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Mr Lumko Huna (second from left) served as Kagiso Trust Regional Director in the Western Cape from 1991
umko Mathews Huna was born on 26 January 1951, firstborn to his parents. He pursued his BA degree through UNISA while incarcerated at Robben Island in 1978 until 1989. Huna became an activist early on in his life when he was actively involved in the St Gabriel’s Catholic Church, led the Justice and Peace Commission and fought for justice through the church. Because of his parents’ political involvement, in particular his father Bernard Huna, he used to be sent around carrying messages to other comrades, signalling his introduction to the political world.
Robben Island he worked for the Justice and Peace Commission and in 1989, joined Kagiso Trust. In the last 10 years of his life Huna worked as an independent consultant and was part of the research team for a book written by Archie Sibeko titled ‘Unsung Heroes: Roll of Honour’ in honour of the 1953-1963 ANC comrades. This book typified Huna who came from humble beginnings and lived a humble life, remaining a rooted and dignified man. Together with his peers and comrades, he fought for the liberation of our country, following the footsteps of his father, but left his own unique mark.
He joined the African National Congress (ANC) under the leadership of and mentorship of the late Mountain Qumbela. Huna was caught while actively involved in recruiting young political fighters and activists for the ANC. In 1977 he was sentenced to 10 years under the terrorist act, spending his time at the Pollsmoor Prison before being transferred to Robben Island where he spent most of his sentence. Prior to serving his sentence Huna worked for the Cape Argus. Upon his return from
Mr Huna’s funeral service was held at Gugulethu, Cape Town on 5 July 2014. Kagiso Trust Remembers Huna: “Huna was extremely grounded. He was the typical strong extrovert who strongly believed there is a huge need in the country and wanted to really impact on people’s lives. Huna was a man of integrity who was committed to the transformation process of the country.”
Kgotso Schoeman, Kagiso Trust CEO “I would totally agree with those that say Lumko was an extremely grounded and committed person. He was a quiet, private person. During his time with us at Kagiso Trust, we came to know an extraordinary man, a leader, a visionary who was respected across Kagiso Trust and inspired those around him. Kagiso Trust leaders and colleagues were privileged to have known and worked with a comrade like him. He was known for his hard work and contribution to the Trust. He encouraged and inspired all comrades around him to work hard in order to achieve their dreams and reach their ultimate potential. He will be remembered, may his soul rest in peace.” Nonhlanhla Ruth Sambo, former Kagiso Trust employee
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Honouring Mandela… Reflecting on Mandela with KT’s Executives
Kgotso Schoeman (KS) As Kagiso Trust we have always honoured Nelson Mandela’s legacy. We continue to impact on education which was Mandela’s passion. The impact we have made, in partnership with the Free State Provincial Department of Education definitely honours Mandela. The Kagiso Shanduka Trust’s expansion is another honour – we are continuously challenged to do things that improve the disadvantaged. Themba Mola (TM) Kagiso Trust makes a continual contribution and a concerted effort in changing the lives of young people. In the past six months we have seen an impressive improvement in the Free State, through the 2013 matric results. We have also provided the opportunity for students to further their studies. Through these demonstrations we are acknowledging the legacy of Mandela; this is how Kagiso Trust makes its contributions. Paballo Makosholo (PM) In terms of the Trust’s main objectives, we have always done work to empower the disadvantaged and alleviate poverty. We are doing what Tata lived for. Mandela Day is more a chance to ponder and find more impetus in challenges. Key
highlights on how we have honoured Mandela includes looking at the Free State. It was the first time that the province came first in the country and the Thabo Mofutsanyana district, understanding that it is predominantly rural, placed second in the country. We have honoured Mandela in what we do and continue to press on with more vigour. Mandela Day… KS: Personally, I feel this Mandela Day, individuals need to deeply reflect on what Mandela means to them and make a commitment to what he represented as a person and as a leader. Around Mandela Day we tend to run around and fail to reflect. So on Mandela day I plan to recommit to what Mandela stood for and did – it seems should we not take that time to reflect people will in time forget what he represents and what he did. TM: On Mandela Day I will be as part of a collective, contributing towards positive change and reflection on Mandela’s values. PM: Mandela Day should not be the reason we neglect our duties for the rest of the year. We should make a habit of continuing to do good on any given day.
Lessons learnt… KS: The moment when Mandela, during his birthday and term as president, sat down on the floor and interacted with children. That moment stands out for me not just literally but symbolically: he came down to the level of the children. He was humble. I have yet to see a president, or CEO, do what he did. Mandela taught me the basic things that we can do to connect with ordinary people. TM: The way Tata led his life has allowed me the continuous realisation of the significance of being willing to help others. When I see the work we do, whether as a collective or individuals, it reinforces that value. Yet my contribution can’t even compare to what Tata did in his lifetime. PM: The decisions we make as individuals can have a lifetime impact on the coming generations. Sometimes there is temporal relief in the decisions we make where they yield immediate results and yet are not favourable in the long-term. This has been applied to the Trust where we look at each decision and its impact on the longevity of the Trust.
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Saving for your child’s education Every year parents complain about being unable to afford their children’s education - it’s time more parents did something about it.
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MONEY MATTERS with Mzo
A brief overview of how education policies work
My first encounter with the education policy concept
Parents should start saving for their children’s education
Education policies are an investment plan and insurance policy in one product. They earn interest from the contributions made at an agreed rate which is normally above a rate that would be achieved if the money was invested in a cash deposit. The contributions are determined by the future financial milestone expected to be achieved at a future date. They also consist of a life cover element in that the agreed future amount that would have been attained by the insured is paid-out in the event of the saver’s death or disability.
I was not aware of education funds and policies; not even my parents were cognisant of such policies. It only dawned on me when there were difficulties with raising funds for registration, tuition, food and accommodation, and that was my first year at tertiary.
The initial contribution does not have to be significant. The key is to start contributing as early as you can, even immediately after your child is born. Time flies; I never realised I would be a parent so soon and have to worry about my children’s wellbeing and plans for their future. What is amazing with spending is that we do not think twice when we spend on entertainment on Fridays and they cost a fortune. When we think of insurance policies, however, we regard them as expensive or we procrastinate.
Education quotes Victor Hugo - “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” Aristotle - “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” Unknown source - “Education has opened many, many doors. However, there are still innumerable doors shut tight -- unopened yet. These are the doors of the future. Perhaps one of my children will open one of these doors -- I shall help give him the key.” Nelson Mandela - “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
There was a friend of mine whose father (the breadwinner) passed away during our matric year. However my friend sailed through easily at university because his father had taken up an education policy for his tertiary studies. He was better off than the rest of us. I am a father now… I would not like to make the mistake that my parents made. As per the quotes above, education is the best key to success that any parent can ever give to a child. These kinds of policies guarantee that my children will receive this invaluable asset, whether I am still around or not.
The cost of education is currently very high and escalating at a very high rate. It is always important to always review the contributions made against the target goal to ensure they will meet the required study fee costs at the future date. A financial advisor should always be consulted in this regard.
This equates to money put on a trust fund as this will only be used for the specific purpose of education, nothing else.
Contributor: Mzomhle Nyenjana, Kagiso Trust Financial Manager
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Too much focus on Grade 12 results and not lower grades While there are differing views with the findings of the recently released World Economic Forum report addressing the state of the country’s maths and science education, one thing is for sure, South Africa’s education system is in need of urgent attention if we are to produce a recognised, internationally competitive working market. During President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address, he stated that the economy takes centre stage in South Africa’s National Development Plan and it remains government’s strong belief that the most effective weapon in the campaign against poverty, is the creation of decent work, and that creating work requires faster economic growth.
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Q
uality education lies at the centre of addressing these issues, because without an educated workforce, we won’t be able to produce the quality doctors, engineers, electricians, plumbers and teachers that we need to build our country’s economy. Unless we have a focused effort to address the current challenges, we cannot expect the outcomes of Grade 12 to be different. As Kagiso Trust, one of South Africa’s longest serving NGOs, we are now concentrating efforts at the General Education and Training (G.E.T) phase. We want to pay special attention to the feeder schools because there seems to be an overwhelming emphasis and interest in high schools and a lot of pressure is exerted on the education system, especially on high schools, to perform. We recognise that the problems of learner performance are embedded in the schooling system right from foundation phase. This is confirmed by the Annual National Assessment (ANA) by the Department of Basic Education which test Maths and Literacy. When we look at the results, they show that learners in Grade 9 are performing badly with Maths, and this is disturbing, since this is an exit grade to high school. Learners therefore go to high school ill prepared. There are various factors that contribute to this such as the capacity of teachers at G.E.T phase and the fact that most are teaching subjects which they have not received adequate training for, limiting their content knowledge. For example, Economic Management Sciences is a combination of Accounting and Economics and at G.E.T level, this is taught as one
subject. The fact that ANA results are used as a diagnostic tool and not to promote a learner from one grade to another is equally problematic, so is the administration of ANA. The timing of the exam in September needs to be reviewed as it needs to be given the same integrity as the matric examination if it is to be effective. Our pilot project aims to identify the challenges that exist at the G.E.T phase and assist teachers at the various Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) schools with improved: • Content knowledge and capacity to deliver curriculum effectively • Capacity at schools to manage and deliver the quality of curriculum. We will implement this by sending subject experts in Maths, Natural Sciences and Economic Management Science (EMS) to work at the schools and with the educators. We will also send mentors and coaches to work with the school management team and principal and see to what extent this can contribute to improving the quality of ANA results for these schools. Our assessment of impact will look at the overall performance of the senior phase. We will conduct a baseline of learners promoted to Grade 10. We have already seen through our Grade 1 to3 interventions, the significant improvement in performance of ANA as well as a significant improvement in how primary schools are run through these interventions. We have rewarded these schools with Maths laboratories and infrastructure which is meant to improve the interest of learners in Maths through technology and gadgets which
manipulate the studying of the subject. We have already identified 20 senior phase schools in QwaQwa, and these schools are currently part of the pilot. We have also negotiated with the district and responsible schools to have buy-in into the pilot. Our observation is that the senior phase schools only operate up until 2pm while the high schools put in more hours. If we have to turn around performance at G.E.T schools, their educators should also make similar commitments so that we can mainstream the pilot. Our intervention was initiated in March 2014 and we are not anticipating significant improvement in this year’s results, but this is a built up to next year. Grade 9 performance is significant. The high drop out rate of learners at Grade 10, we suspect is a result of the frustration of learners when they discover that they are not ready for the next grade. Only about 50% of learners who start Grade 1 matriculate. While we understand that there are many contributing factors, we believe that this could be related to their ill preparedness for high school. The pilot project we have rolled out will be effective for a year, giving us time to consolidate a model to see if this can improve performance. The Free State Department of Education has also made similar observations and this year launched a campaign to concentrate efforts on the senior phase. This is really a parallel effort which is not isolated and if successful, government can take it on. Themba Mola, Kagiso Trust Chief Operations Officer
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notices Birthdays May: Siza and Phathu celebrated their birthdays June: Themba, Paballo and Amandla celebrated their birthdays July: Paul, Sakhile, Joan and Linda celebrated their birthdays August: Bra Tsie and Mme Tshabalala celebrated their birthdays
Anniversaries May: Kedibone celebrates an amazing 24 years with the Trust June: Mme Maria celebrates 20 years with Kagiso Trust July: Bra Tsie celebrates 16 years with the Trust and Linda celebrates her 5th year anniversary August: Phathu celebrates 3 years with the Trust
Welcome to the Family Sarah, based in our Free State office, gave birth to a beautiful chubby baby girl on 7 May 2014. Kagiso Trust welcomes Baby Boikemetso Motaung.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” Maya Angelou Happy Women’s Month!
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www.kagiso.co.za #MandelaDay2014 We spent Mandela Day at Othandweni Family Care Centre in Soweto. Kagsio Trust together with KTH, Tiso Foundation, Kagiso Media and members of the KTH PWC audit team contributed goods from the centre’s wish list and delivered a whole range of goods.
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#BeyersNaudéLecture NMMU George Campus (Western Campus), in collaboration with Canrad, hosted the first of the 2014 NMMU series of the distinguished Dr Beyers Naudé Memorial Lectures – an innovative project of the Kagiso Trust on the 20th of May 2014.
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INVITATION
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