INBRIEF MAGAZINE
Issue (20) August 2016
TAKING THE VISION INTO THE FUTURE EXPLORING STORYTELLING
IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY 1 INBRIEF MAGAZINE
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S MONTH
2
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
3
INSIDEINBRIEF 19
IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY
20 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
11
EDUCATION IN A MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY
03
EDUCATION COMMEMORATES MANDELA MONTH
05 Word from Comms & Marketing 06 5 Minutes with David Tshabalala 08 A story worth telling 12 Fixing South Africa’s education system 17 Pearls of wisdom Mankodi Moitse
16
PEARLS OF WISDOM
14
YOUTH FORMULATE IDEAS FOR FUNDING DEVELOPMENT
18 Five things every matric learner should 06 5 Minutes with David Tshabalala 08 A story worth telling
Editor: Nontando Mthethwa Cover image: Nadia Sinovich, Writers: Amandla Kwinana, Chulekazi Charlie Publisher: Star Hero Media Group (Level 1 BBBEE Certified Black Owned Agency. nonie@starhero.co.za | www.starhero.co.za | 011 462 1787
4
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
media group
FROM
WORD COMMS fter 30 years of achievement, Kagiso Trust is re-dedicating itself to the challenge of overcoming poverty and inequality. As this exciting, new chapter of our future dawns we will pursue our vision of creating a prosperous, peaceful, equitable and just society. To achieve this we are focused on implementing four strategic goals.
A
We are deepening our commitment to Education by expanding and extending the impact of our programmes. We are replicating our successful education models and will step up the change we want to see in our schools. We will open up more opportunities to university students needing bursaries and non-financial support. We will look at how we can inspire our school learners to become entrepreneurs and increase their technical skills. Through Socio-Economic Development, we will invest and grow sustainable businesses. We will support enterprises by ensuring they have access to money and markets. We will back black entrepreneurs and contribute to the prosperity of our communities. We will also work closely with civil society, NGOs and local governments for Institutional Capacity Development in order to enhance service delivery, efficiencies and increase their impact. We will use our knowledge, experience and skills to support social change.
& MARKETING
To ensure financial sustainability, we will grow the Trust’s asset base so as to continuously fund our own programmes. We will optimally balance our programmatic expenditure plan with our ability to grow our investments as well as ensure optimal financial return on investment, along with a track of social return on investment. To achieve our goals we will work together with likeminded partners. We will build innovative and scalable models. We will let our values guide us in everything we do. We will be accountable for our actions. We will operate with integrity in everything we do. We will foster a burning passion for development and continue to believe in a bottom up approach. We have 30 years of hardwon knowledge and expertise behind us. We have lived up to our promise of creating successful schools and businesses. Now is the time to build on this knowledge. To intensify our efforts. To push forward with renewed strength and vitality. Now is the time to overcome poverty. This is Kagiso Trust and this is how we will take the vision into the future.
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
Nontando Mthethwa
Communications and Marketing Head
5
5
MINUTES WITH DAVID TSHABALALA
Designer and co-founder of design house Suketchi, David Tshabalala, shares how he honours and profiles the women of today during Women’s Month.
Who is David? I’m a 27 year old Graphic Designer & Illustrator from South Africa. I draw inspiration (pun intended) from the world and people around me. I grew up in a small town called Harrismith in the Free State. The need for me to further my career has led me to settle and hustle in Johannesburg. My style is pop-inspired, fun and refreshing. I’m influenced by 90s-era fashion and bright colours set against a blank canvas. I’m not boxed in by certain mediums, and I’m constantly reinventing my technique. What have been the highlights in your career so far? Last year I was chosen as one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans. I was a nominee in the Best Young Gun Category for The Bookmark Awards on behalf of SoulProviders in 2014. In 2013 I was chosen as one of 40 Emerging Creatives at Design Indaba and was a finalist on Creative Union. The reality TV show was about mentorship for creatives in entrepreneurship. Tell us about the Run the World Instabition During Women’s Month I illustrate 31 Women; 1 illustration per day, over the course of the entire month of August. These are a combination of women I’ve met and they’ve left me inspired after our conversations about projects that they are busy with small and big, some I’ve never met before but I follow them closely on digital platforms and I feed off their energy through their blogs and I enjoy the content they share and create. I didn’t select them based on their CV’s or popularity, but rather, how they influence me personally regardless of their accolades and achievements. Why undertake this project? I wanted to do something with real purpose and self-initiated but not necessarily profit-driven. Women’s Month served as the perfect platform for me to create something with meaning that resonates with every South African. People usually commemorate Women’s Month by reflecting on our past and struggles, rather than the present and future, which is what I’ve done by profiling our women of today. How is the project taken to the public? Having done my research, I think Instagram is the fastest growing digital platform currently and it’s a breath of fresh air. And the word “Instabition” just sounds so good! It also offers a kind of exclusivity and peace that Twitter or Facebook can’t provide. I used the other bigger and established digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter to drive traffic to my instagram profile: @slaying.goliath. As a young designer you recently started your own creative and design agency, Suketchi and seem to be doing well in terms of financial sustainability and relevance in today’s age. What advise, or pearls of wisdom, can you offer young people who have ambitions of being entrepreneurs? Practice your craft every day. Identify a mentor to guide your decisionmaking. Network, go out and meet the right people who can help you out in your field of work.
Kagiso Trust’s role in socio-economic development includes financial and administrative support to SME’s which are majority black-owned and play a significant role in job-creation within disadvantaged communities across South Africa. For more information, visit www.kagiso.co.za
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
6
EDUCATION COMMEMORATES MANDELA MONTH
A
and business owners. The learners were also given blankets, one per learner, school uniform and sanitary pads for girls.
The Mandela Month event at the school, hosted in partnership with Kagiso Trust and the Free State Department of Education, saw Makgoe and education partners paint, pave the dilapidated school and play chess with the learners.
The department is committed to going beyond the call of duty to ensure that every learner is at school.
s part of the annual commemoration of Mandela Month in July, Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe took time off his busy schedule to see to his 67 minutes of community work at William Strip Farm School outside of Bloemfontein.
Speaking at the event on 26 July 2016 Makgoe says at the centre of Mandela Day is community development that should have a lasting impact, not just actions that will end on the same day. Living up to his statement Makgoe solicited 20 laptops from partners, five of which he will pay for from his own pocket in the spirit of giving back to the community. Meeting and greeting learners, Makgoe encouraged them not to let their background deter them from their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers
Makgoe says this step will ensure that no learners will leave school due to external factors such as poverty.
The 18th of July has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day and over the years the department has duly commemorated the day. “This is a milestone for South Africans, that one of their own is a celebrated global icon and this should serve as a great motivation to all”, said Makgoe. The theme for this year was “Take Action, Inspire, and Make every day a Mandela Day”. Issued by Free State Department of Education Enquiries: Howard Ndaba 079 503 5485
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
7
A STORY WORTH
TELLING
Amandla Kwinana takes a glimpse into the exciting direction the youth is taking as they evolve with the times while retaining the rich culture of oral storytelling.
8
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
G
rowing up in the eighties, it was not unusual for siblings to share stories of Jackal and Wolf as we prepared for sleep. These stories, told in my mother tongue of isiXhosa, instilled in me a passion for stories, reading and eventually writing. Last year a colleague familiarized me with PUO Educational Products (PUO). The educational material, multilingual flash cards, proved an exciting introduction to my then two-year old son with their colourful drawings of animals, foods and people. Living in a multilingual society, one cannot escape the need to learn other languages – there is a wealth of knowledge and adventure that awaits one in literature that cannot be found elsewhere. Nthabi Sibanda co-founded PUO as a result of her frustration at the very limited educational material which could aid her and her husband in raising their children knowing their respective languages and African heritage. Approved by the Department of Basic Education, the pre-primary/foundation phase targeted PUO story books and educational material are contributing to the preservation of African languages and nurturing literacy among young children. “Stories bring people together to share, enjoy and have fun” shares Sibanda “and this develops a sense of community which is critical for us all”.
Young people have embraced this concept and in addition to a steady rise of exceptional young black authors such as Malaika Wa Azania, Kopano Matlwa and Lidudumalingani Mqombothi, the art of storytelling has been reignited.
As the youth embrace their past and find a place for it in modern-day society, the preservation of our heritage lies equally in oral tradition and its documentation. Literacy then, plays a role in ensuring access to these stories and knowledge.
Hosted monthly at one of Johannesburg’s b e l o v e d underground music and jazz venues in the inner city, Bassline sets the mood for Imbawula. Borrowing from the tradition of storytelling around a fire, Imbawula is ‘an initiative designed to nurture storytelling while encouraging literacy’.
Moreover, NGO Project Literacy states: “reading and writing are fundamental human rights as they allow adults to take control of their lives through being able to vote, fill in an application, do banking, read instruction manuals and other activities.”
“the preservation of our heritage lies equally in oral tradition and its documentation”
Veteran writer and editor, Simphiwe Mpye plays host to the live storytelling sessions which see an array of storytellers ranging from musicians, personalities and authors. Attracting an audience of young adults, the Imbawula events are indeed growing a culture of reading and sharing among youth. In addition, all proceeds go to the Quarphix Foundation, a youth development non-profit organisation.
Literacy is one of the integral pieces of the puzzle that Kagiso Trust addresses through its whole school development programme, the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme which has been implemented in partnership with the Free State Department of Education.
It can be deduced then that the earlier children become comfortable with reading and literacy is integrated into life outside of schooling, the more they can participate effectively in society and be better placed to enrich their lives.
EDUCATION IN A MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY The Education Conversations sees education specialists, parents and government address the issue of the implications of the language policy for the foundation phase learner.
What role does – or should – English play when it comes to educating children who speak a different home language in foundation phase? And what role should their home languages play?
T
hese were some of the challenging questions posed in “Education in a Multilingual Society: The implications for the foundation phase learner”, the latest panel discussion topic in the series of Education Conversations hosted by the Kagiso Trust in partnership with the University of Johannesburg on 19 May 2016. The discussion was facilitated by radio and television personality Masechaba Ndlovu, and the panel featured Haroon Mahomed, Director for Teacher Development at the Department of Basic Education; Karina Strydom, CoFounder and Product Developer at Brain Boosters (providers of early childhood development tools) and Jemina Mosia, winner of the 2013 Award for Excellence in Education and educator at Makhaloaneng Primary School, one of the schools Kagiso Trust supports under its whole schools development programme, the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme.
10
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
Opening the discussion, Ndlovu noted that the issue of language in education remains a hurdle for many black South African children, with children struggling to grasp often complex concepts in a language that they are still grappling with. Nontando Mthethwa, Communications and Marketing Head at the Kagiso Trust, expanded on these thoughts in her opening address. “We live in a multilingual society, and language is used to acquire knowledge,” she stated, adding that the aim of our schooling system is to nurture well-rounded individuals. The problem, however, is that all children already speak a home language when they enter the system, and in South Africa, for the majority of learners, this is not English. Moreover, it will take a significant number of years to master a new language – and yet, during this time, this language will be used as the primary medium of instruction.
Moreover, it will take a significant number of years to master a new language – and yet, during this time, this language will be used as the primary medium of instruction. In essence, she supported University of Pretoria Foundation Phase Teaching lecturer, Maryna du Plooy’s views that learners have to come to terms with three languages: their home language, which is an expression of the personal and emotional; a regional language which is a tool for social intercourse; and a global language, which is a symbol of achievement and self-actualisation. Within this context, how can educators best balance the dynamic between home languages and English, the lingua franca, especially for children at the delicate foundation learning stage? Karina Strydom was the first to present her argument, suggesting that it is, in fact, possible for children to learn in two languages. “Children in foundation phase find it easy to learn an extra language,” she explained, noting that the problem lies in the gap between home and school, as well as the big classrooms that characterise today’s schools. She maintained that the solution lies in ensuring that children master a thorough grasp of mathematical concepts early on – this being the biggest predictor of academic achievement – and that these concepts should be taught in English, thereby “killing two birds with one stone”. Strydom said that the principles of neuroscience, such as repetition, can play a key role in helping children learn. Jemina Mosia’s presentation focused on her own experience in helping children learn English. Mosia explained that she teaches at a school where the most commonly spoken language is Sesotho. “I feel it is crucial to be multilingual,” she stated, indicating that it can be limiting to speak only one language. This is why she invested an enormous amount of time and effort into helping her learners master English, which is taught at her school as a second language level.
Mosia scheduled extra lessons, using tools such as phonics, rhymes and storytelling – and successfully increased the school’s pass rate from 30% to 80%, with one learner earning 82% at the Conquesta Olympiad in English as an additional first language. Haroon Mahomed spoke next, expounding on the challenge from the perspective of government. He admitted that the issue of multilingual education is not a new one, but little progress has been made in addressing it since the 1980s. “Although English is spoken as a home language by only 8% of the population, it is the dominant language of instruction,” Mahomed noted.
Mahomed said that ideally, learners should be able to complete their primary schooling – or, at the very least, a number of subjects – in their home language. The problem, however, is that there are not enough quality teachers to help make this a reality. Thus, short-term interventions are required: for instance, the status of indigenous languages should be raised (as English – the lingua franca, is generally thought of as more prestigious than African languages), while the quality of English teaching at foundation levels must be strengthened. He said that it would also be important for NGOs and the private sector to lend their support to the issue.
“The Constitution enshrines our learners’ right to be taught in the medium of their choice, but few schools offer During the this,” discussion, a
This has given rise to significant problems: often, learners struggle to understand concepts, especially in maths and science. There is strong evidence that teaching in the home language can make an observable difference; for example, in schools in the Eastern Cape, where Xhosa has been used as the medium of instruction, high results have been achieved – but, said Mahomed, this is not an easy solution. “The Constitution enshrines our learners’ right to be taught in the medium of their choice, but few schools offer this,” he said. In the meantime, an effort is being made to ensure that English-speaking learners become adept at African languages through the Incremental Introduction of African Languages, intended to ensure that African languages become part of the curriculum where this was not previously the case. This will have the additional benefit of fostering social cohesion; however, capacity restrictions are inhibiting this programme from moving forward.
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
11
panel number of issues were raised, highlighting the complexity of the issue. For example, the reality is that English is the global language, and South African has chosen to participate in the global economy; thus, a level of proficiency is required. At the same time, the growth of the Internet spurs this on, as this is an English milieu. That said, language is integral to who we are, both as people and as a nation, and a monolingual society is not desirable. A number of different approaches were debated, including providing bilingual exam papers or introducing English early as a second or first additional language. Ultimately, concluded Themba Mola, Chief Operations Officer at the Kagiso Trust, this is the sort of dialogue that the Education Conversations aims to stimulate. Although there are no easy answers, it’s critical to engage people around the topic: “by fixing our foundation phase education, we may be able to improve our pipeline,” Mola said.
FIXING SOUTH AFRICA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM
Learners, teachers, parents form an essential triangle in ‘fixing’ South Africa’s education system
H
ow can education in South Africa be reworked so that it becomes a weapon against poverty? This was one of the questions interrogated by delegates at the Kagiso Trust Youth Collab 2016, which took place on 14 July. The Collab was hosted in order to plumb the minds of South Africa’s youth, using their fresh thinking to address the problems that have traditionally impeded the country’s development. Around 150 young members of South African society, representing the private sector, government and civil society, attended the Collab to brainstorm solutions to challenges around education, innovation, enterprise development, capacity building and funding.
The youths were divided into action groups and each was given a topic to discuss, aiming to uncover the gap between the ideal state and current situation and who should be responsible for addressing this gap. Finally, the delegates were asked to find practical ways to address the challenge. Members of the education Action Group were invited to explore ways to encourage learners in Grade 10 to remain in school rather than dropping out, and in this way prevent the exodus of learners that takes place every year. The team members uncovered several reasons for the gap’s existence: poverty is a major culprit, as many learners are forced to drop out because they cannot afford school fees or even the accoutrements – such as shoes and stationery – needed to complete
12
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
schooling. In rural areas, it may happen that girls of a certain age are forced to abandon their schooling to get married, while boys have to find jobs. Substance abuse and teen pregnancies were also pinpointed as major causes. Action group members pointed out that, given the high rate of unemployment, many learners felt that continuing with their schooling was pointless; as there was no guarantee they would be able to find jobs even if they matriculated. This frustration may be felt even more keenly by learners who didn’t find their needs catered for by the current educational model; for instance, children who do not respond to traditional auditory teaching methods, or who do not excel at subjects like science and maths, which are emphasised within the school curriculum.
The group members felt that many learners simply gave up if they were struggling, and this was exacerbated by the schooling system which sees learners advancing to the next grade even if they have not adequately mastered their present syllabus. There are a number of stakeholders who could be called upon to answer these challenges. The team members felt that learners, themselves, have an important role to play and should take responsibility and accountability for their own schooling. Parents must be called upon; not only to demand accountability from schools, but also to support their children. Teachers, of course, are of crucial importance, as they have the ability to enthuse a learner and to make information more accessible; indeed, a poor teaching method can be a major impediment to learning. The corporate sector may also be called upon to make donations of items necessary for schooling, such as stationery. There is also room for community members to become involved, as successful peers can serve as positive role models.
The most important part of the discussion, what practical steps can be taken to make a change, turned up some interesting thinking. With capacity clearly a problem, one team member suggested that teacher training should include coaching techniques. Teachers would then be able to ‘coach’ their learners, rather than using traditional teaching methods. The advantage here is that this approach would facilitate a change in mindsets, enabling learners to achieve the confidence, motivation and accountability that team members felt were essential for learners who may, at times, doubt their own abilities or feel discouraged. Technology and social media could also be deployed; it was suggested that instead of filling their feeds with celebrity news, learners should be instructed to focus on stories of people who have achieved success. These inspiring examples could also be featured on an app developed by learners, for learners. It was felt that there should be a greater accent on vocational subjects, and more access to such syllabi, as this would INBRIEF MAGAZINE
13
provide an alternative for learners who are not academically inclined. Parents should be reminded that such choices are every bit as valid as academic subjects, and should support children in their wish to follow such a path rather than making them feel as if they are making an inferior choice. In this way, parents would also be able to instil the key attitudes of confidence and accountability. Finally, corporate responsibility mustn’t be overlooked. Apart from using CSI funds to provide basic necessities, the private sector could also help by creating greater awareness of the bursaries on offer to learners, and actively seeking deserving recipients. Kagiso Trust CEO Mankodi Moitse said that she was delighted by the outcomes of the initiative, and emphasised that the exercise had been far more than a talk shop, as the proposed solutions would be presented to the Youth Desk in the Presidency, the National Youth Development Fund and the Human Sciences Research Council; and would further be considered by Kagiso Trust in the formulation of future policies and programmes.
YOUTH FORMULATE IDEAS FOR FUNDING DEVELOPMENT While the youth might be acknowledged as the custodians of the future, their voice is often disregarded when discussing the big issues facing that very future. They are often given too little credit for their thoughts, and yet it is their ideas that have the power to change circumstances. The Kagiso Trust Youth Collab, hosted in Johannesburg on 14 July 2016, invited young people to give voice to their ideas about the big issues facing development.
14
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
s an organisation that has been at the forefront of democratic change in South Africa, Kagiso Trust believes it is absolutely vital to find ways to include the youth in economic activity. Under the theme “the end to poverty starts with us ”, the Kagiso Trust Youth Collab is more than a talk-shop, but rather a think-tank that will shape the organisation’s policies and programmes in the years to come.
A
The delegation, made up of young people between the ages of 16 and 25, was split into five workshops focusing on the most pressing issues in development: education, innovation, economic development, capacity building and funding. One of the most challenging aspects of development in any form is sustainable funding. Delegates in this workshop were encouraged to explore new ways for youth programmes to access funding. Youth programmes tend to rely on funding from the same sources – parents, the State, through taxes, corporate CSI, and local and international philanthropy.
Crowd sourcing and short term funding is also used, with online leveraging becoming more common. Facilitated by the dynamic action leader, Lesego Moagi, Corporate Brand Manager at Makro, the discussion centred on the gap that exists between the current types of funding and young entrepreneurs. Too many ideas are cultivated that are never explored in reality. As one young attendee said “I have had this idea for a long time, but I don’t know who to talk to, or how to talk to them about it.”
a YOLO (you only live once) mentality often result in the misuse of funds and the mistrust of young entrepreneurs.
Access to information and experience was marked as one of the greatest challenges faced by the youth when getting programmes, projects or even schooling funded. Social media was touted as a possible solution to this need, however it too has its own issues including a limited understanding of the medium, access to devices, and one of the biggest barriers for many – data costs.
Throughout the discussion it became clear that these young people had a strong sense of their responsibility towards their futures. They don’t want to be passive recipients of funding, or information.
The delegation also agreed that when funding is made available it is often poorly managed by the youth. Poor financial training, peer pressure and
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
15
The workshop explored some innovative forms of fund raising, including entertainment-type funding similar to the likes of Dragon’s Den, resource sharing, and idea-generation and propagation using online vehicles. The delegates were also not opposed to putting in a little bit of old fashioned elbow-grease to generate funds.
They want to play their role in the process, but look to their parents, educators, corporates and NGOS, and the State to play a greater role in their financial training and entrepreneurial education. They are ready to cross the gap; they just need a little help building the bridges.
Messages from industry role players, as Kagiso Trust celebrated its 30th anniversary.
ADV. THULI MADONSELA – PUBLIC PROTECTOR OF SOUTH AFRICA As South Africa continues into its third decade of constitutional democracy, Kagiso Trust and others should gallantly play their part in providing both support and constructive criticism to ensure we are not headed for a cliff as a democracy because of poor leadership or taking our eyes off our roadmap, the Constitution.
30 years of development and success
MRS PHILISIWE MTHETHWA ,CEO – THE NATIONAL EMPOWERMENT FUND Kagiso Trust has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic transformation framework. Among other breakthroughs KT has stood gallantly for grassroots empowerment. It is therefore an institution of exceptional esteem and importance, a pillar on whose vision and courage the transformation story is anchored.
MR JOHAN BURGER – INCOMING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FIRSTRAND My message is firstly to congratulate Kagiso Trust on applying its talents to a truly broad base of beneficiaries, and secondly to challenge it to think bigger about the possibilities for its multi-billion rand balance sheet another 30 years from now.
MR CYRIL RAMAPHOSA – DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
For the next 30 years development will remain the core Trust deserves the accolades it has received for its profound impact in our and most important Kagiso focus forin ourKagiso Trust. Our communities and national life. In all sectors of our livesvision we have seen is the emergence of inspired and talented individuals who have in one way or another been enriched the programmes of Kagiso Trust. to broaden and deepen our bydevelopment impact through greater geographic coverage, more partners and a wider sector approach. From single programme pearls, we OF aim ADVOCATE MOHAMED SHAFIE AMEERMIA – COMMISSIONER THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION to string together many more development programmes As Kagiso Trust celebrates 30 years of its existence it should not rest on its laurels as the country is beset by the triple threat of poverty, inequality an unemployment. in the future. Rather it should put shoulders and expertise to the wheel so as to ensure that the constitution’s promise of dignity and equality for all does not remain in distant dream.
Over the past 30 years, Kagiso Trust has channelled INBRIEF MAGAZINE 16 almost R2 billion into key programmes
| Sunday Times
‚ƒ„… †‡„
’ With the blessing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Kagiso Trust embarked on a national campaign to collect odes, poems and letters to the archbishop, tagged as #OdeToArch. Submissions came from hundreds of South Africans through our social media platforms, e-mails and posts to our websites. We also partnered with the SABC Foundation and Kagiso Media in furthering the reach of the campaign. With the odes consolidated in January this year, Kagiso Trust chairman the Rev Frank Chikane and I presented the Odes to Arch book to the archbishop in Cape Town. On July 14 we hosted the 30th anniversary gala dinner to honour and pay tribute to the founding trustees and management, who had endured experiences where their courage and spirits were tested. They were conscientious leaders who took high-stakes decisions for the trust, choosing what was right and just for South Africans, because for them, an unjust society was not permissible any more. Also as part of our celebration, we hosted a series of nationwide university panel discussions in partnership with a number of universities in the country. The discussions encouraged leading figures in the academic, government, civil and private sectors to share wisdom and lessons learnt with the broader South African public in a year-long knowledge-sharing campaign. These included former president Thabo Mbeki, Thebe Foundation CEO Mokgethi Tshabalala, Free State education MEC Tate Makgoe, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, and Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti.
’ We have gathered demonstrable achievements over the years. And with those came key learnings for programme implementation and financial sustainability, such as: ý Being relevant — in that we need to be responsive to people’s challenges and address real needs in our programmes; ý To be impactful — we need to build competencies and focus on doing what we know best; ý A life-cycle approach — this will enable us to align and synergise our activities and achieve a more meaningful impact; and ý To be sustainable — Kagiso Trust needs to generate its own income through strategic investments and the development of
partnerships, and surround ourselves with like-minded people and institutions that enhance the outcomes of our activities.
strategic focus will continue to be on education, socioeconomic development and institutional capacity development.
The trust pursues an organisational development strategy that seeks to maximise its unique strength of relating to ordinary people, as well as our considerable experience in development facilitation, to identify sustainable solutions towards poverty eradication. We continue to have an ambitious vision of creating a prosperous, peaceful and just society. It is our intention to do this through our mission, which is “to contribute to development through sustainable funding with like-minded partnerships and innovative, scalable development models�. To achieve this, our
’
 � � � � �  �
The government, through the National Development Plan, envisages a significant role for small businesses and expects them to create 90% of the targeted 11 million jobs by 2030. This implies that small business will have to contribute roughly 800 000 jobs per year until 2030. While the government is driving several strategic initiatives to support smallenterprise development, like the launch of National Gazelles, there is extensive scope for NGOs like
 Â?Â?   Â? Â? ’  Â
Â
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
17
Kagiso Trust to support economic development. The trust, through the Kagiso Enterprises Rural Private Equity Fund, has been engaged in enterprise development since 2002. However, in addition to the developmental imperatives outlined above, there are several other compelling reasons for Kagiso Trust to increase its efforts in the area of enterprise development: Ă˝ Enterprise development will lead to job creation, which is key from Kagiso Trust’s social impact perspective. Job creation, especially for youth, is critical for the trust’s social impact. Small and medium-sized businesses are the fastest-growing creators of employment and are a strong platform for the trust; Ă˝ Kagiso Trust has strong expertise and experience in enterprise development. Through the equity fund, the trust has developed expertise in small-business sourcing, funding and financial management. This hands-on experience has shed insight on developing businesses and allowed the trust to develop an understanding of SME issues and challenges as well as operational challenges while providing SME support; and Ă˝ Our recognition of the role education holds in achieving economic development. We continue to believe that education is critical to the eradication of poverty in South Africa, as is true for the world. For the beneficiaries of our education programmes, we not only provide essential skills necessary to function in adulthood in the economy, we believe that we provide a “gift of a lifetimeâ€?. We still have further work to do, not just in ensuring access but also addressing the quality and relevance of education in the education institutions we will work with. Ă˝ We are keen to address some unexplored opportunities in education that will allow for continued impact. There still remain unexplored opportunities in terms of depth — deepening understanding on issues that affect education —
influencing education beyond the three districts in the Free State. Some of these opportunities include our need to pursue other collaborations to establish a national footprint and work in other phases of the education value chain. Along with this, it is the trust’s desire to ensure the sustainability of our programme, beyond our intervention stages, through measuring or monitoring the success of interventions once we exit districts. ý Capacity building: through our capacity-building programme we will concentrate our efforts in instilling institutional support for the strengthening and sustainability of civil society organisations and local government. � Our financial sustainability framework is intended to ensure a continual balance between asset growth and programme spend. This is critically important for us as we want to ensure we can fund the programmes we have planned. Kagiso Capital was established in 2015 to house all our investments under one roof and its main mandate is to ensure the company generates dividends for the sole purpose of realising Kagiso Trust’s sustainability for the next few years and beyond.  � €
In the words of former Kagiso Trust CEO the late Eric Molobi: “We have a purpose, and that is that Kagiso has to outgrow us as individuals. Years from now, when we are qualified ancestors, it must still be here. It must still be serving the people.â€? I would like to extend a warm thanks to our trustees for their vision and commitment to the organisation. We appreciate their contribution and the roots they have planted for us. A special thanks to our partners as well, for aiding us in achieving our mandate over the years. Going forward, Kagiso Trust will still be serving the people. Ă˝ This is the last in a series of articles sponsored by Kagiso Trust to celebrate its 30th anniversary
FIVE THINGS EVERY MATRIC LEARNER SHOULD KNOW Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) recently visited 5 schools in Free State’s Motheo District to deliver the first in its series of Grade 12 Schools Talks. The talks aim to help learners in Grade 12 understand the challenges facing them in their immediate future, as they prepare for the tertiary stage of their education.
Kealeboga Moremba, Communications Officer for KST, hosted the talks, emphasising five realities that would prove useful to learners as they took the next step in their school careers. Moremba drew attention to the following points: 1. You do not need to attend a private school, or 1. come from an affluent background, in order to be a high achiever. You can create a great future, regardless of your past. Become an inspiring success story that motivates your community and fellow learners to pursue excellence. 2. 3. It is impossible to accomplish anything without 2. hard work. Hard work helps you maintain consistency. 4. 5. 3. Perseverance is critical. Even if you do not have a glowing academic record, it is never too late to give of your best – and when you start trying, you’ll start succeeding. 6. 7. 4. Success is state of mind, but you need to get the foundations right. Nutritious foods provide fuel for body and mind, while rest and exercise are also vital. Reading up on study and exam tips can have a significant impact on your academic performance. You will also put yourself in a position of strength by reading up on tertiary institutions and finding out as much as you can about the career and qualification you are interested in and about university life in general. 8. 5. Don’t disregard the impact of peer pressure. 9. Surrounding yourself with positive people will keep you motivated, but beware of those who might bring you down. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together.
The talks were held on 20 and 21 July, with Moremba and the KST visiting six schools in total: Popano Secondary School, Ntumediseng Secondary School, Leratong Secondary School and Kgauho Secondary School all in Botshabelo; as well as Tlotlanang Combined School and Strydom High School in ThabaNchu. The schools selected for the programme already receive curriculum support from KST. KST distributed information packs sponsored by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Damelin College and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to the learners who attended, containing crucial information on bursaries and careers. The talks are being hosted as part of the KST’s aim to support South Africa’s youth and prepare them for the future, and their goal is to motivate Grade 12 learners and ensure they are ready for the tertiary phase of their education. “We specifically chose to pilot this project during Mandela Month, as it is the time when South Africans consider how they can lend others practical assistance,” comments Kagiso Shanduka Trust Operations Manager, Kaya Nyati. The timing was also pertinent as matriculants are about to embark on the second half of their final year of school; a critical stage in their education. “This isn’t simply about enthusing learners, but also about empowering them by informing them about the challenges they may face and helping them find solutions, as well as teaching them what they can expect from their first year as university students – important, because this is a stage of life and transition many learners find difficult,” Nyati concludes.
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
18
IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY ONE MUNICIPALITY AT A TIME There are various reasons why local government does not deliver on their service delivery responsibilities, one such reason being insufficient funds to carry out the municipality’s required functions.
Paul Smith; Kagiso Trust Consultancy
ocal government receives two kinds of incomes: an allocation from national government and revenue the municipality should generate on its own through property rate taxes and service charges. The first type of revenue is guaranteed whereas the latter is dependent on the ability and/or willingness of consumers to make payment.
L
What happens when municipalities cannot generate sufficient revenue (also called municipal consumer debt)? The Financial and Fiscal Commission states that this “poses a serious threat to the financial health of municipalities in South Africa”, directly translating to service delivery being negatively affected. According to National Treasury (2008) “municipalities make an important contribution to poverty alleviation and economic development, through providing free basic services to poor households and investing in infrastructure and associated services that are critical for economic activity”. Kagiso Trust actively seeks to overcome poverty and through its capacity building entity, Kagiso Trust
Consultancy (KTC), local government is afforded support that ensures effective data management and improved revenue collection.
•
KTC’s Paul Smith explains that the burden of revenue collection can place municipalities in a complex situation. “Essentially, municipalities have to ensure that their paying customers are able to cover costs by subsidising indigent customers, who are unable to afford services,” he explains. Although this model works well in theory, matters are more complicated in reality, with South Africa’s culture of non-payment for municipal rates and taxes creating a situation where debt hampers the ability to provide those essential services.
•
“Although municipalities have to operate and function as a business, they dwell in a space characterised by blurred boundaries. After all, their role is to provide the services – water, electricity and rubbish removal – which make our societies functional, so they have a social obligation, too” Paul observes. To ensure effective service delivery, municipalities depend on a number of pillars. INBRIEF MAGAZINE
19
•
•
Capacity: in the form of a skilled and hard-working human resources pool, is key Efficient data saving systems are also a must It’s essential to manage credit effectively Reliable data, pertaining to all residents and businesses operating in the area. This is perhaps the most crucial of all
This is where KTC is able to help, Paul informs. “Our approach can be summarised in three words: it’s cost effective, long-term and customercentric.” Guided by these principles, KTC partners with local municipalities to provide financial management systems, as well as customer and credit control management systems, which ensure correct billing – and, naturally, lead to better service delivery. This is all made possible through KTC’s data tool, K’DOS (Kagiso Data Optimization Service); a webenabled system which rehabilitates maintains and updates data. “K’DOS makes it possible for municipalities to perform optimally – and this makes life more pleasant for South Africans,” Paul concludes.
KAGISO TRUST LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The Kagiso Trust Lifetime Achievement Awards are in honour of the men and women who have spent their lives in servitude to the country through Kagiso Trust and is in recognition of their guidance in ensuring the Trust lives up to its values.
On 14 July 2016, Kagiso Trust awarded its patrons and key individuals for their hard work, sincerity and dedication towards Kagiso Trust.
20
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa
Dr Abe Nkomo
Dr Max Coleman
Mrs Zanele Mbeki: accepted by WDB’s Ms Motshabi Modisane
Dr Beyers Naudé: accepted by his son, Mr Johann Naudé
Prof Jakes Gerwel: accepted by family friend, Dr Dwight Triegaard
Mr Yunus Mahomed: accepted by Judge Dhaya Pillay
Mr Eric Molobi: accepted by his wife, Mrs Martha Molobi
Dr Allan Boesak: accepted by long-time friend, Prof Vuyani Vellem
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
21
APPRECIATING OUR PEOPLE On 15 July 2016, Kagiso Trust CEO Mankodi Moitse awarded certificates of appreciation to staff members who have shown dedication and commitment to the Trust for the past 5 years or more. The following were awarded: Maria Mokae 22 years Linkie Shabalala 21 years Joan Masemeng 21 years Themba Mola 21 years Tsietsi Thakalekoala 18 years Mohlolo Selala 10 years
22
Yoyo Sibisi 9 years Nontando Mthethwa 8 years Mzomhle Nyenjana 8 years Angelinah Mdakane 8 years Zandile Matakane-Magutywa 8 years Linda Frampton 7 years Phathu Munyai 5 years
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
Values Pledge Signing Kagiso Trust staff recommitted themselves to living the organisation’s values during the annual staff retreat held on 22 July 2016.
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
23
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS Kagiso Trust ended its celebration of its 30th anniversary with a bang on 14 July 2016 at The Forum, Bryanston. The gala dinner was attended by KT patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mr Sizwe Nxasana, Japanese Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Kagiso Trust trustees, staff and beneficiaries among other guests. The Trust also unveiled its new logo and strategy going forward. “Our vision continues to be entrenched in the wise words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs Zanele Mbeki that we should not lose the soul of the organisation, and I believe we haven’t.” – Mankodi Moitse, CEO
24
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
INBRIEF MAGAZINE
25
26
INBRIEF MAGAZINE