Kagiso Trust's InBrief newsletter - May 2015

Issue #16 | May 2015

InBRIEF www.kagiso.co.za

Peace Liberation Development | www.facebook.com/kagisotrust | www.twitter.com/kagiso_trust | www.kagiso.co.za

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CONTENTS

may 2015

INSIDE INBRIEF p4. Word from Corporate Affairs

p5. 5 Minutes with EMSP’s Nelly and Thapelo

p16

p7. The Kagiso Trust ‘Miracle’ ’ p9. KST Township School Aces NSC 2014 Results

p.10 KT CEO to Assume New Responsibility

p20

p.12 Brand New Uniform for Farm School Learners p.14 Against All Odds: Luthando Nodada

p.15 BNSDP School Tesimonial

p17

p.18 Kagiso Shanduka Trust Infrastructure Launch

p.24 KT celebrates 30th Anniversary

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p.25 Notices

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WORD FROM CORPORATE AFFAIRS

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or the past 30 years, Kagiso Trust (KT) has worked to achieve a society which offers liberty, justice and freedom from poverty.

Kagiso Trust was formed in 1985 as an anti-apartheid resistance organisation. Its aim then was to support the anti-apartheid movement by empowering marginalised communities to fend for themselves and fight against the apartheid regime.

years, while also inviting key South African figures to share the pearls of wisdom they too have gathered.

As part of launching its 30th Anniversary, KT launched its Case Study in March 2015, which tells the organisation’s story, from its inception as a vehicle to disperse money from the European Union’s (EU’S) Special Fund for the victims of apartheid, to the present day.

With the advent of democracy in 1994, it could have ended there.

But it did not. KT’s trustees and directors realised that although the struggle against apartheid had been won, the struggle against its effects would take longer to defeat. As a consequence, there would be a need for strong, professional, development organisations to continue this struggle.

The Case Study, which was conducted by researchers and academics from the Wits Business School Case Centre, details how the organisation has changed as its environment has changed, how its development philosophy has evolved, and how the formation of Kagiso Trust Investments (Pty) Ltd (today Kagiso Tiso Holdings) provided a fundamental shift that set KT on a path to self-sustainability.

To mark this auspicious occasion, i.e. KT’s 30th Anniversary, we have themed the year-long celebrations as “Pearls of Wisdom”, pearl being the traditional gift of 30 years of marriage and the symbol which reinforces our commitment to share the pearls of wisdom we have acquired over the

In addition, KT will host a series of panel and community engagement discussions with various institutions, bringing together academics and speakers from public, private and civil society to discuss topics relating to the development agenda of South Africa.

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Over the next 30 years, development will remain our core and most important focus for Kagiso Trust.

Our vision is to broaden and deepen our development impact through greater geographic coverage, more partners and a wider sector approach.

From single programme pearls, we aim to string together many more development programmes in the future. Our approach will remain a bottom-up development approach, always informed by issues on the ground.

We want to grow our development work through more partnerships and we will continue to align our development programmes to support government in the country’s National Development Programme in South Africa.

As Kagiso Trust, we look forward to celebrating our 30th Anniversary with you and will keep you updated with details of various events we will be hosting throughout the course of the year.

5 MINUTES WITH

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EMPS’s NELLY & THAPELO

With the excitement of celebrating the matric results, the New Year also comes with the stress of financing the matriculants’ tertiary studies. For the past eight years Kagiso Trust’s bursary programme, the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP) has been assisting underprivileged and deserving learners from the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Schools Programme (BNSDP) to further their education.

Nelly Mphuthi

Thapelo Tsotetsi

This year, fourteen learners have been chosen from the BNSDP schools in Thabo Mofutsanyana. In Brief had the opportunity to interview two of the learners during their interview in Johannesburg’s Parktonian Hotel mid-January: Nelly Mphuthi and Thapelo Tsotetsi. We were pleased to hear that both had been selected as part of the EMSP 2015 intake but saddened by the fact that we know this is but a drop in the ocean and thousands of learners are also in need and deserving of this opportunity.

In Brief: Which school did you attend?

Nelly Mphuthi: Metsi Matso Secondary School Thapelo School

Tsotetsi:

Phofung

Secondary

Tell us about your experience at school.

NM: Metsi Matso is situated in a village.

It’s a good school with a conducive learning and teaching environment. When I came to the school it was because it happened to be in the village I lived in.

TT: Phofung is very rural. The school faces many challenges in terms of social issues such as drugs. Our teachers are very optimistic, though, we can see that they try very hard to give us a good education.

I enjoyed my time at the school, expect for Afrikaans class. I went to Phofung because the school campaigned to us and they even told us that they are part of the Kagiso Trust selected schools in Thabo Mofutsanyana and if we attended Phofung we would receive many opportunities, such as science laboratories and computer centers.

Tell us about your family and which individual made the biggest impact on your life.

NM: I stay with my mother and my brother.

We struggle a lot but I know that through education we will overcome that. I am inspired by my uncle. After he finished school he could not afford to further his studies so he found piece jobs and managed to study while he was working.

He taught me that although there may

be delays in life, they can help bring you greater success. It’s been really hard for me but I have remained motivated.

TT: I am an orphan and stay with my aunt and three cousins.

My aunt has been very supportive. While I was in matric she ensured that that I did not do chores around the house and instead focus on my studies. During my exams there were days when I would be lazy or get distracted and she was that person who would come up to me and remind me to get back to my studies. It was great when she came to my school when I was awarded for being in the Top 10.

My grade 11 class teacher has been the person to have the biggest impact on my life: she continued to motivate me through to grade 12. Although I had been a good performer and had the first position in grade 11, when I went on to grade 12 she said “Now it’s time to work hard”. I lost my first position in the first grade 12 exams and was very disappointed. She told me not to lose hope and not listen to all the negativity around me; “it’s the final results that matter”. And true enough, I achieved very good results at the end of the year.

I’ve prepared myself in three ways: 1.I will need to be independent and responsible 2. Remember what is key: know that I am there to study 3. Remind myself why I’m getting my degree: to benefit myself and my family

Having passed your matric with flying colours, what message do you have for the Class of 2015?

NM: This is a valuable lesson I learnt: don’t work hard to prove yourself to others. As people we are not the same and we don’t have the same intellectual capabilities either. It makes no sense to compare yourself to others and beat yourself up when you don’t succeed. It’s important to know yourself and push yourself according to what you know you can accomplish. That’s when you end up doing so much better and surpassing your own targets.

You are going to a very different environment: university. How prepared are you?

Class of 2015, know that your background does not determine your future. Challenges are only a stepping stone. When you feel discouraged just look at the world’s most successful people; they had to overcome many challenges too.

TT: I am looking forward it. In high school you have that pressure and support to succeed in matric but that falls away when you reach varsity. I know that many students abuse the freedom they receive.

For more information on the EMSP, to contribute or sponsor a student through the Bold Step Campaign, contact Maria Mokae on mmokae@kagiso.co.za or call 011 566 1900.

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The Kagiso Trust “miracle” Celebrated at launch of case study

Kagiso Trust (the Trust), which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015, is a “miracle” organisation that survived apartheid and created billions of Rands to serve disadvantaged South Africans, says anti-apartheid activist and Kagiso Trust Chairman Reverend Frank Chikane.

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everend Chikane, who spoke at the launch of the Kagiso Trust case study at the Wits Business School (WBS) on 24 March, 2015 said the development organisation had achieved a remarkable feat by surviving post-apartheid South Africa after donor funds dried up in the early 1990s.

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“I like to say that the story of the Trust is the story of an NGO that survived,” Chikane said at the event held in the Donald Gordon Auditorium in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening.

“It is a story of an NGO that was able to create resources to continue serving its people. It is the story of an NGO that was creative in forming partnerships with the government and business to be able to increase the capacity of the NGO,” said Reverend Chikane.

“The trust’s history is that of – I would like to use a military term – combat in struggle.” Reverend Chikane recalled how the Kagiso Trust had started when anti-apartheid campaigners were working to have corporate sanctions implemented against South Africa.

“Europe used to say if we apply sanctions we are going to punish the oppressed,” said Chikane. “We said the oppressed are suffering anyway.

Don’t worry about that. Apply the sanctions against the apartheid system. Give us the money to take care of the oppressed,” said Reverend Chikane.

According to Reverend Chikane, the establishment of the Trust was a miracle. “You have an organisation that started in the struggle for liberation.

It helped victims of apartheid to resist and to survive during that time.

You couldn’t have anything like this, short of a miracle.”

After the collapse of apartheid in 1990, the organisation faced another struggle as donors pulled their funds. The Kagiso Trust however had a team of creative people who found the solutions and investment opportunities to remain sustainable.

“Freedom is costly. Money goes away when you have freedom,” Reverend Chikane told audiences. “The Kagiso Trust understood that after our freedom there is a much bigger challenge of dealing with the legacy of apartheid and the consequences of that. The struggle was not over.”

Claire Beswick, the Head of the WBS Case Centre, said the key feature of the Trust’s history is how it managed to secure its own financial sustainability in post-apartheid South Africa.

The Kagiso Trust embarked on a unique strategy by taking advantage of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and starting Kagiso Trust Investments (KTI) when European Union funding ended after apartheid.

“The Trust took early advantage of BEE and started KTI so it could benefit from the dividends KTI would give in the longer term,” she said.

balance sheet and is worth billions of Rands in assets in an environment where many NGOs are struggling financially, Beswick said. “It has managed to use these funds to leverage funding from various partners and thereby maximise its impact in the communities it serves,” she said.

“It has created an investment house of real substance.”

Professor Steve Bluen, the head of the WBS, said the Kagiso Trust’s values had not wavered since it was formed as an anti-apartheid resistance organisation in 1985.

“At the end of apartheid it would have been easy for Kagiso to say job well done. Let’s pack up and conclude our business,” Professor Bluen said.

But it was “deep reflection which provoked it to reinvent itself from an anti-apartheid entity to a professional development organisation,” added Bluen.

“Kagiso Trust shares its expertise with other development organisations seeking to make a sustainable impact on South Africa and beyond” “In most cases this happens the other way round. BEE investment houses start their own foundations to offer a broad based component to their offering. When this happens the development trust gets a relatively small proportion of the shares of the company involved of between five and seven percent,” commented Beswick.

Kagiso Trust owned 38 percent of Kagiso Tiso Holdings, formed from a merger between Kagiso Trust Investments and the Tiso Group in 2011.”The trust has a substantial

“Today Kagiso Trust is a sustainable black owned, black managed entity, which shares the expertise it has gained through the years with other development organisations seeking to make a sustainable impact on South Africa and beyond.”

The Kagiso Trust Case Study launch event was attended by Founding Kagiso Trust Trustees, Dr Abe Nkomo, Max Coleman, the family of Kagiso Trust’s second CEO Eric Molobi and Beyers Naudé’s son, Johan Naudé.

The pearls of wisdom campaign launched on Tuesday will go all over South Africa in the form of panel and community engagement discussions hosted in partnership with various universities.

The objective of these discussions will be to share wisdom from leading figures in the academic, government, civil and private sector with the broader South African public. This is an effort by Kagiso Trust to fast track debate in South Africa around pertinent development issues which will help government with its development agenda.

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KST Township School Aces NSC 2014 Results Kgolagano Secondary School situated in Rammulotsi, Viljoenskroon achieved a 100% Matric pass rate in 2014 in a country where the overall pass rate is 75.8%.

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golagano Secondary School is proud to announce that the Class of 2014 has achieved a 100% pass rate; “We have been waiting for this moment and the Kagiso Shanduka Trust has been the positive catalyst of change within the school,” says Simon Makalogse, Principal of Kgolagano Secondary School.

Since 2013 Kagiso Shanduka Trust, in partnership with the Free State Department of Education, has been committed to implementing change embarking on a project that will improve infrastructure and learner performance in the schools within the Free State province.

The achievement of the class of 2014 is a story of hope and perseverance against all odds.

For the educators, the Kagiso Shanduka Trust has provided

training in assisting the teachers in structuring the content of the work and their approach within the classroom. The effort made by the Kagiso Shanduka Trust has motivated educators and increased learner participation.

Interventions like Kagiso Shanduka Trust make it possible for schools like Kgolagano Secondary School to be the only school within the Viljoenskroon township to achieve a 100% pass rate in 2014 and this has encouraged learners to put in an extra effort such as attending morning and afternoon study and Saturday classes.

This is a shining example of what one can achieve with little means: all that is needed is ambition and perseverance.

“Good luck to the class of 2015.

We want to wish the learners all the best in the days to come because

we want to maintain our target of 100%. We are amazed at how the educators have been able to impart the vision of success, giving our learners a solid foundation for the future. And thank you, Kagiso Shanduka Trust, for your contribution. You share in our victory!” says the proud Principal of Kgolagano.

Kagiso Shanduka Trust congratulates the Kgolagana Secondary School educators and Class of 2014. We also recognise the starling performance of learner, Moeketsi Mofokeng, who achieved 99% in Mathematics and 89% in Physical Science.

Moeketsi was invited to the Provincial Well Done Ceremony and received a range of prizes from the Free State MEC for Education, Honourable Tate Makgoe.

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Kagiso Trust CEO to assume new responsibility as CEO of Kagiso Capital Kgotso Schoeman, current Kagiso Trust (KT / the Trust) CEO will assume a new role as the CEO of Kagiso Trust’s newly established investment company, Kagiso Capital – once a new Kagiso Trust CEO is appointed in 2015. During the course of his 20 year tenure at Kagiso Trust, Schoeman has played a remarkable role ensuring the relevance and sustainability of Kagiso Trust – leading the team that implemented the new development strategy of Kagiso Trust from it being a general conduit grant funding agency, to a development and implementing agency in the education and rural finance fields.

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choeman joined the Trust in 1994 as a programme manager. His vast experience in project management, managing community participation and development processes, local economic programme development and SMME support – lead to his appointment as CEO of the Trust in 2000. Under his leadership, Kagiso Trust has made significant progress and has grown into a respected organisation.

Over these years he has re-positioned the Trust from a funding conduit to a refocused and niche organisation in education and enterprise development. In addition, he led the design and establishment of Kagiso Africa Investments, which was set up with the aim of operating in targeted markets within the African continent and seeking opportunities to actively invest and replicate the Trust’s business model across various countries on the continent.

“Kgotso Schoeman has continued to ensure the relevance and sustainability of Kagiso Trust by further streamlining its programmes and activities. Under his stewardship, the Trust has completed the transition from an arms-length funding organisation to a handson project and programme-driven agency. Moreover, he played a central role in rallying support from partners and stakeholders for the implementation and funding of the Trust’s programmes,” says Reverend Frank Chikane, Kagiso Trust Chairman.

He has participated as a team member while also leading a number of projects including the Alexandra Renewal Programme, the Local Economic Development Study for the Amajuba Municipality in Newcastle, the impact study of the SMME Microfinancing sector around the Tshwane area and the Public Participation Process that led to Robben Island gaining world heritage status.

my move into Kagiso Capital as a part of my growth journey. Kagiso Capital also serves as a growth opportunity to consolidate and diversify the investments assets of the Trusts for KT’s further sustainability into the next 30 years to come. I wish my successor all the best in continuing to grow the legacy of Kagiso Trust.”

Schoeman serves as an Executive Director of Kagiso Enterprises Rural Private Equity Fund, Non-Executive Director of Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Non-Executive Director of FirstRand Bank Limited, Executive Director of Kagiso Africa Investments and Non-Executive Director of Kagiso Activ.

“While it’s with heavy hearts that we bid Schoeman farewell, we are enthusiastic about Kagiso Trust’s new venture, Kagiso Capital, a 100% owned Kagiso Trust company whose sole purpose is to ensure the Trust’s sustainability. We are confident that Kgotso Schoeman will take the investment company to higher heights because of his remarkable know-how and leadership,” adds Chikane.

“ It is with great humility and a bright vision for Kagiso

Trust’s future that I’m leaving my position as CEO of Kagiso Trust,”

“It is with great humility and a bright vision for Kagiso Trust’s future that I’m leaving my position as CEO of Kagiso Trust,” said Kgotso Schoeman. “It was not an easy decision for me to take, but after 20 years of engagement with and for the communities of South Africa through the Trust; the time has come for me to take on a new challenge within Kagiso Trust. It has been an honour serving Kagiso Trust, and watch it grow into the incredibly dynamic and engaging body it has now become.

I am excited with the Trust continued growth. I have also always seen my growth beyond the Trust including a move into social impact business and therefore see

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AGAINST

ALL ODDS Luthando Nodada

2015 has kicked off to a wonderful start for the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP). Among the excitement of more students entering the programme and the support received for the Bold Step campaign, Maria Mokae who oversees the EMSP received what Kagiso Trust CEO, Kgotso Schoeman referred to as “a humbling but powerful message of thanks, and this must continue to humble us and make us see what we do as a privilege to serve”.

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To all in the office, you must never forget that each one of you have touched Luthando in a very special way.”

Luthando Nodada, a young man from the Eastern Cape, was part of the EMSP’s --- intake. He comes from a poor background where the hardships of living in a shack with 12 family members and sharing what little food there is, was his reality. Luthando’s parents, he has shared, have been a source of inspiration and support to him. Despite his immense challenges, Luthando’s flourished in his studies, did his in-service training in Germany and graduated at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2013.

He is currently a service technician at Vestas Southern Africa.

This is a testimony of how education can transform a life and open doors which were not even imaginable before.

Good Morning Mme Maria I still remember the 1st time I received a phone call from you Mme back in Autumn of 2008, phone call that offered me a lifetime education opportunity, something at that time looked like a farfetched fantasy to me.

I was so desperate to lend a scholarship that would grant me an opportunity to fulfil my dream of becoming a change in my community and an influence in my country through education. The tears of happiness

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ran freely as the impact this award would have on my future was realized. All the hard work, tears, and dedication that have been put into this education thus far have proven to be worth more than I could ever have dreamed.

The ride has however not been easy like most things are in life, but through family support, your unequivocal support I have managed to say I am thankful and no longer where I used to be and continuing to rise against all waves of life, I made a promise that I will make you proud I will continue to strive to fulfil that promise.

Thank you very for your support when I needed you the most, I will always address you as my 2nd mother. the Kagiso Trust family is committed to plant a seed of change through education in the poorest places of South Africa.

By the way I am heading to Spain next weekend for work, I will be there for 3 weeks to help out in a project. Thank you and Stay blessed

Yours sincerely, Luthando Nodada Service Technician South Africa

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Brand New Uniform for Farm School Learners Late last year Kgotso Schoeman, Kagiso Trust CEO, visited one of the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) farm schools in Thabo Mofutsanyana, Free State. When he saw the learners of Majweng Primary School, Kgotso’s heart went out to the little children. Their uniform was either torn, old or not even the correct school uniform. Although winter was months away, without proper school uniform, it was clear that these children would indeed suffer from the biting cold of the Free State mountains.

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Without much deliberation, Kgotso pledged to get full school uniforms for all the children of Majweng. The school has 14 learners attending in 2015 with each uniform pack costing R500 each. Kgotso contributed the bulk of the amount required, R10 000. In order to raise the outstanding funds, Kagiso Trust reached out to its staff.

It was overwhelming to have such an enthusiastic response from the staff, especially considering most were parents and it was just January, a financially strained month for most people. The school uniform campaign saw staff from Kagiso Trust (both head office and Free State satellite office), Kagiso Capital and Kagiso Tiso Holdings lend a hand. Within a matter of a few hours the pledges came and more funds than were needed were raised.

This enthusiastic participation of staff and the knowledge that farm school learners living in poverty will be receiving uniform excited Kgotso: “I would love to see this project being extended to our partners and friends. It’s amazing to see how such a small contribution can impact on the lives of those who are poverty stricken.”

In South Africa, all state schools and most private schools school uniforms are compulsory. The concept of school uniform is believed to serve two purposes - to instil a sense of belonging and pride in the school and also to eliminate any idea of competition in the matter of personal dress (from www.cesla.org). Indeed school uniform is more than just clothing: with it comes pride, dignity and discipline. It is our duty as South Africans who live above the poverty line to assist those who need our help. To Kagiso Trust, servitude is not a job; it is a privilege. The success of our learners and the resulting betterment of their lives is reward enough.

On 6 March 2015, Kgotso Schoeman, accompanied by Kagiso Trust staff from the Johannesburg and Free State offices, visited Majweng Primary Farm School for a handover ceremony. The ceremony was attended by all the learners and staff of Majweng as well as parents, educators from neighbouring schools, representatives from the Thabo Mofutsanyana district office and BNSDP service provider, Mphathi Maseru who is keen on supporting the campaign.

Learners’ Uniform Pack @ R500: 2 x shirts 2 x jerseys 2 x trousers for boys 1 x skirt for girls 1 x tunic for girls 1 x shoes 2 x socks The Ngwanaka (‘my child’ in Sesotho) Campaign is aimed at South Africans who share the belief that it takes a village to raise a child and that every child deserves to have their basic needs met, which includes clothing. The campaign encourages citizens to be socially responsible and cultivate a culture of taking care of children within their communities and beyond. We want each child to know that they are important and believe that to someone out there, they are truly special.

To contribute or for more information on the Ngwanaka Campaign contact Amandla Kwinana on akwinana@kagiso.co.za or call 011 566 1900.

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BNSDP School Testimonial Naka Primary School

Naka Primary School as the beneficiary of Kagiso Trust and the Free State Department of Education has the pleasure of presenting this report in acknowledgement of the receipt of the facilities and management and leadership development programmes that have turned this institution around.

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Background The school is situated in the remote area in the Eastern Free State. It is a small school with a population of 432 learners, 13 educators and 2 support staff members.

The community is characterized by a high unemployment rate and as a result poverty and lawlessness has taken its toll and this situation has a negative impact on the learners’ academic achievement.

The morale in the school and in the community deteriorated because of the lack of facilities that could restore morality. Since Kagiso Trust forged a healthy partnership with our school, the situation has turned around for the best, for all parties involved in the programme.

Leadership Governance

Management

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The Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme has assisted our school with Leadership, Management and Governance by taking the educators, support staff and School Governing Body on a retreat at Golden Gate Resort. There we managed to reflect on where we are, how and where we want to take the school to in terms of areas of functionality.

The retreat was of a high standard and it was conducted by highly skilled facilitators. The outcome of the retreat was so fruitful; it has changed the mindset of parties engaged from working as individuals to a team that is purpose-driven and shares a common vision. Our school is now a team that is characterised by integrity.

We are able to reflect on our iniquities that affect the school negatively such as poor curriculum delivery and coverage. Educators are able to draw up intervention strategies just as they have learnt from the retreat.

The personal clashes have been outgrown and now we are experiencing healthy relationships that are characterized by mutual trust.

Cooperative teaching takes place because of openness and willingness of staff members to work together in empowering one another in areas that need to be developed. As a result

quality teaching and learning has been prioritised since the retreat was held.

The performance of learners in all grades is escalating and the parents have confidence in the school.

School Safety The school safety committee has drawn a year program and management plan on how to deal with safety and environmental issues. The steel doors that posed danger to learners were fixed. The boys’ toilet ceiling was also fixed-due to encouragements of the Environment Committee.

Everybody is involved in keeping the environment clean, safe and conducive for teaching and learning.

The programme has encouraged individuals to share responsibilities in making our school a safe haven.

Curriculum Delivery – READ Project The school’s academic performance has improved remarkably due to the intervention of Kagiso Trust’s curriculum delivery facilitators.

The educators are now able to plan accordingly. They are also able to apply a balanced reading and writing program such as Shared Reading, Independent Reading, Shared Writing, Independent Writing and Group and Guided Reading. Classroom arrangement and effective use of resources have been acquired to address those issues.

Our classrooms are now rich in print and conducive for teaching and learning. As a result, reading and writing has improved.

Last year in November the school achieved a 91.3% pass rate which we are proud of and this year we are looking forward to achieving 100%.

Confidence and the positive attitude on the part of educators and learners have improved since the inception of the programme.

The monitoring and feedback from facilitators are informative and developmental hence effective curriculum delivery and improved results.

Facilities Received from BNSDP Since the handing over of the facilities i.e. computer laboratory and a fully resourced library, Naka Primary School has never been the same.

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These facilities have inspired learners and educators as well as the community at large and have awakened in them a sense of pride and ownership. They have changed the landscape of the school that used to be ordinary to the kind of the institution that broadens the horizons of learner’s knowledge and skills.

The learners are gradually becoming critical and creative thinkers. Reading has become more of a hobby; this has boosted the learner’s confidence and morale. Read Aloud and Library Week were celebrated in style due to availability of resources.

The educators support staff, the socalled “BBTs’’, are receiving computer training to be literate and eventually they will be connected to the rest of the world via internet connectivity.

The phobia of engaging in a world of technology is disappearing into thin air.

Quality Training

Programme:

Nothando

Three of our educators are to attend the Teaching Whole Brain Learning under the auspices of Nothando Training and Ukufunda Study Methods.

The training encompasses aspects such as retention, exam techniques and real teacher application of skills, to just mention a few.

The training has changed the perception of being just an ordinary teacher, to a balanced one having acquired the skills from the programme.

Educators are more interested in knowing more about the learners, i.e. their strengths and weaknesses.

Individualised teaching has been used in most cases to address each learner’s challenges.

The examinations are well prepared for and parents have been brought on board on how to prepare their children for exams.

Sectional parents meetings have been held to cascade the information.

Examination anxiety has also been eliminated; hence the good performance of the school!

www.kagiso.co.za Concluding Remarks On a very serious note Kagiso Trust has contributed substantially in tailoring our children’s future for the best at a very tender age. You shared light and hope to the hopeless. In future poverty and lawlessness will be history in our communities.

Your massive, immeasurable and holistic efforts in improving impoverished societies can never go unnoticed.

Thank you Kagiso Trust (Beyers NaudĂŠ School Development Programme) You rock!!!

We salute and respect you!!!

From Principal, Staff and SGB

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Kagiso Shanduka Trust Infrastructure Launch

Collaboration sees fast tracked development for Free State schools

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ducation development specialist Kagiso Shanduka Trust and the Free State Department of Education hosted a schools infrastructure launch event in Kroonstad, Free State today, showcasing the results of a public/ private sector collaborative partnership aimed at transforming the education landscape in the Free State.

The launch was attended by Deputy President of South Africa and Shanduka Foundation Chairman, Cyril Ramaphosa, Free State Acting Premier Msebenzi Zwane, Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe, Kagiso Trust Chairman Reverend Frank Chikane, and a number of other dignitaries, partners and education experts.

In March 2013, Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) signed an agreement with the Free State Department of Education to work together in 428 schools in the Fezile Dabi and Motheo districts in the Free State.

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Following extensive needs assessments and successful transformation and empowerment workshops with the schools and district offices, basic infrastructure and critical skills development began in May 2014. The project has a phased- in approach, and already over 66 schools have received investments in their infrastructure.

“Collaborative interventions are imperative for the rapid growth of our province. They improve the quality of education and boost long term sustainable development in our communities,” Free State Acting Premier Msebenzi Zwane said at the launch of the completed infrastructure projects today.

Today KST handed over a fully resourced library to Thakameso Combined School, three classrooms and renovated ablution facilities to Ntha Primary School, and a Grade R Facility to Phomolong Primary School in Kroonstad.

KST’s partnership with the Free State Department of Education is aimed at offering a holistic whole school development model that includes curriculum development for educators, learner support in critical learning areas and a social welfare aspect that addresses the health and welfare of vulnerable learners.

“The most profound and most significant learning in this partnership is that sustainable change in our schools can only be achieved by working together,” commented Deputy President of South Africa and Chairman of the Shanduka Foundation, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Besides the infrastructure launch achievements to date, over 1300 educators from 97 schools have benefitted in the two districts and over 70 600 learners have been reached. A further 16 000 learners have had their eyesight tested, with over 530 learners receiving prescribed spectacles.

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“Partnering for excellence in education” Kagiso Shanduka Trust aims to collaborate with public and private institutions to make education an empowering experience that equips learners with the skills and knowledge to thrive and contribute to the development of our society Kagiso Shanduka Trust (the Trust) is collaboration between Kagiso Trust and Shanduka Foundation to develop and implement a district-wide holistic school development model.

In March 2013, Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) embarked on a project with the Free State Department of Education to support educational transformation in 428 schools in the Fezile Dabi and Motheo districts.

Shanduka Foundation and Kagiso Trust have each committed R100 million over five years. The Free State Department of Education has matched this investment, bringing the total investment to R400 million.

The project leverages the methodologies and best practices of each organisation and has resulted in an integrated whole school development model that aims to improve the academic performance and social welfare of the learners; upgrade school infrastructure; develop effective school leadership; and involve parents and community members in the development of the school.

Kagiso Shanduka Trust envisions that the outcomes and lessons from this project will ultimately form the basis of a comprehensive model that supports educational delivery in other provinces throughout the country.

The project is being implemented in all schools in Fezile Dabi district and selected schools in the Botshabelo, Thaba N’chu, Naledi and Mantsopa municipalities of Motheo district. These schools include primary, secondary, combined, intermediate, high schools, FET colleges and farm schools.

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Since the start of the project in 2013, and following extensive needs analyses, school retreats have been held with 215 schools. These are empowerment and transformation workshops where the school identifies the challenges affecting school performance and develops a strategic plan to ensure long-term success and sustainability.

Infrastructure development is underway in 66 schools. All schools will receive basic infrastructure where it is required. This refers to the building or renovation of ablution blocks and classrooms, perimeter fencing and the provision of desks and chairs. Schools that perform at 85% and above in their matric examinations, or 65% and above in the Annual National Assessments, qualify for incentive infrastructure projects. This will include facilities such as science laboratories, libraries, computer centres, maths centres, multi-media centres and sports facilities.

In 2014, a total of 97 schools participated curriculum development programmes.

Visual support programmes were held in 40 schools and over 16 000 learners had their eyesight tested and over 500 learners received spectacles.

The project is about collaboration, harnessing the resources of several partners to achieve a meaningful and lasting impact on the whole education system.

Kagiso Shanduka Trust is looking for partners who can add their resources, skills and expertise to further enhance the effectiveness of the project.

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The programme is about collaboration, harnessing the resources of several partners to achieve a meaningful and lasting impact on the whole education system.

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Kagiso Shanduka Trust

www.kagiso.co.za

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Kagiso Trust Celebrates its 30th Anniversary

This year marks a very important milestone for Kagiso Trust as the organisation celebrates 30 years of existence as a thriving African development organisation. As part of the celebrations, Kagiso Trust has adopted a theme that speaks to its 30 years of knowledge and learning: Kagiso Trust’s Pearls of Wisdom campaign.

“As one of the country’s leading not-for-profit development agencies, we have gained invaluable knowledge over the past three decades” says Nontando Mthethwa, Kagiso Trust Corporate Affairs Manager. “However, Kagiso Trust equally values the learnings we have encountered and look forward to the public, private and civil sectors sharing with us their pearls of wisdom as we share ours with them”.

Kagiso Trust was founded by anti-apartheid clerics and development activists in May of 1985. The organisation was officially registered just over a year later. “Because the Trust had already started its development work in the country and was in the process of negotiations with the European Union, we saw it fit to host our celebrations over the course of the two years” explains Nontando.

For close to thirty years, the Trust has worked closely with South Africans to achieve a society that will offer liberty, justice and freedom from poverty.

To celebrate this momentous occasion in both the Trust’ and South Africa’s history, Kagiso Trust, in partnership with various tertiary institutions, media and other tactical partners, has planned a twoyear-long celebration marked with a series of events which are scheduled to take place in strategically selected locations around the country.

“We are excited about the 30th anniversary campaign and to kick start the celebrations we are inviting the Beyers Naudé Development Schools Programme (BNSDP) grade 11 learners to participate in the BNSDP Essay Competition” shares Nontando. “We believe that even these young people have pearls of wisdom to share with Kagiso Trust and the country, as a whole: this is their platform.”

Keep an eye on the Kagiso Trust Facebook page (Kagiso Trust) and website (www.kt30years.co.za) for upcoming events. For more information drop us an email at info@kagiso.co.za.

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notices Birthdays February: Sarah, Mohlolo and Maria celebrated their birthdays in the month of love.

March: Nontando and Linkie celebrate their birthdays.

Anniversaries January: Paballo celebrates 9 years with the Trust and Nontando

celebrates her 7th year anniversary at KT February: Sizakele celebrates her 4th year at KT March: Yoyo celebrates his 8th year with the Trust while Linkie, Joan and Themba celebrate an amazing 20 years with KT

Other We welcome Phila Moremi to the KT Family. Phila is Kagiso Trust’s Company Secretary.

We congratulate KT trustee, Andrew Maralack, on the birth of his son, Andrew Joseph Maralack born on 12 January 2015.

Keep up the good work, KT Team!

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