August Internal Newsletter
To kick off the month of August, we celebrated Women’s Month by spotlighting inspiring women in our community.
We shared the stories of Nompumelelo Letsholo, a grade 12 learner from Siyabonga Secondary School in Braamfisherville, Soweto, whose resilience and determination are truly motivational, and Maggie Letseka, an ECM cohort 3 alumni who has identified a critical gap in classrooms where children with learning disabilities are often excluded. She has conceptualized a groundbreaking program that fosters inclusivity by developing innovative teaching methodologies, ensuring that all learners are included. These stories highlighted the strength and impact of women and reminded us to continue supporting and uplifting one another.
Robotics Labs: Empowering Future Innovators at Mikateka and P.S Tsosane Primary Schools
In the Government Gazette published on 7 June, former DBE minister Angie Motshekga approved the amendment to the national policy pertaining to the Programme and Promotion Requirements Grades R-12, a component of the National Curriculum Statement, to include coding and robotics in the grades R-9 curriculum under the National Education Policy Act of 1996.
In the month of August, in partnership with Sifiso Edtech, we were excited to launch AI and Robotics Labs at Mikateka Primary School and P.S Tsosane Primary School in Ivory Park, Johannesburg. This initiative is a major step in our mission to equip over 300 young learners with essential future skills. The new labs provide hands-on experience with AI and robotics, opening doors to endless possibilities and fostering problem-solving and creativity.
Sifiso Edtech’s expertise has been crucial in making these labs cutting-edge and accessible. The learners’ enthusiasm was inspiring, and we're eager to see how they will use these new tools to become the innovators of tomorrow. This launch is just the beginning, and we’re committed to expanding these opportunities to more children, shaping a brighter future for all.
Shaping The Future: Insights from Our First Panel Discussion on Youth and Education
This month, we also hosted our very first panel discussion! We had a fantastic day at our "Shaping The Future: Innovations For Youth in South Africa" event, which featured two engaging panel discussions about the future of education and the key role of youth in creating change.
The first panel, "Where do we see the future?" was led by Khuselwa Mxatule, with Shalane Yuen, Sizwe Nxasana, and James Donald offering their valuable perspectives on education and empowering youth. The second panel, "Engaging the Youth in Shaping the Future," was moderated by Stanford Ndlovu and showcased an all-female lineup—Zulaikha Patel, Tshwanelo Serumola, and Lesego Masethe—to mark the importance of Women's Month.
Key Takeaways:
Collaboration is crucial for lasting impact. We need to "lean in" to support the work and then "step back" to let communities take the lead and remain sustainable.
Expanding successful initiatives is essential for long-term progress.
Notable insights from the panelists included:
Sizwe Nxasana stressed the need for teacher training, parental involvement, and overcoming language barriers in early education.
Shalane Yuen addressed the challenges of resource constraints and the need for flexible, human-centered solutions.
James Donald pointed out gaps in our education system, especially the importance of fostering entrepreneurial skills from a young age.
The contributions from youth leaders Tshwanelo Serumola, Zulaikha Patel, and Lesego Masethe highlighted the need to develop soft skills, creative thinking, and sustainable actions for the future.
A big thank you to all our panelists and a special shoutout to Mzwandile Msimanga for expertly moderating the discussions. Together, we’re dedicated to ensuring every child in South Africa has the chance to thrive. Let’s keep moving forward!
Enhancing Our Communications: Insights from Justine Lang's Transformative Training Session
This month, we had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Communications training session led by the amazing Justine Lang. Traveling all the way from New York, Justine brought her wealth of expertise in communications to share with our team. Her insights were invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for the knowledge and strategies she imparted.
The training was a game-changer for us, equipping our team with new tools and perspectives that we’re eager to integrate into our communications strategy. From refining our messaging to enhancing our engagement with our audience, the lessons we learned will undoubtedly help us elevate our work.
A huge thank you to Justine for taking the time to empower our team. Your passion for communication and your dedication to helping organizations like ours shine through in everything you do. We’re excited to put what we’ve learned into practice and look forward to the positive impact it will have. May you continue to inspire and empower other organizations around the world with your expertise!
Virtual Partner Community of Practice (COP): Building a Sustainable Future Together
Our first virtual Partners CoP event was a resounding success, bringing together our dedicated partners from across the provinces for a day of meaningful collaboration.
The event kicked off with an in-depth evaluation of the sustainability measures in our Khulani Schools Program (KSP) using a specialized sustainability scorecard. This tool allowed partners to assess the longevity and impact of each program in our schools, fostering a shared commitment to ensuring lasting benefits.
In thoughtfully organized breakaway groups, partners exchanged insights and developed strategies to sustain the KSP's impact across all schools. These discussions were tailored to align with each partner's specific program outcomes, creating a cohesive approach to sustainability.
We wrapped up the day with a plenary discussion and feedback session, which set the stage for our upcoming Sustainability Summit in October. This summit will bring together all stakeholders to collaboratively map out the future of KSP benefits in our communities.
“The Virtual Partner COP was not just a meeting—it was a milestone in our collective journey toward a sustainable future for all the schools and communities we serve"
– Mcebisi Kunene
Mid-Year Review Highlights: Celebrating Team Achievements and Honouring Our Q2 Employee of the Quarter!
We had a productive and insightful 2-day Mid-Year Review, where each department presented on their accomplishments from the past year and shared their plans for improvement in the coming year. It was an invaluable session that allowed us to reflect on our progress and identify areas where we can continue to grow and excel. The collaboration and forward-thinking demonstrated by every team were truly inspiring.
We're also thrilled to announce that Olona Tywabi has been awarded the Q2 Employee of the Quarter! Olona truly embodies the values that define our organization—doing good while having fun, fostering collaboration, and always giving her best. What makes Olona stand out even more is the constant smile she brings to her work, spreading positivity and enthusiasm throughout the team. Her dedication and joyful approach are truly inspiring, and this recognition is well-deserved. Congratulations, Olona!
We'd also like to extend our congratulations to Itumeleng for her remarkable flexibility, Mcebisi for his outstanding initiative, Mzwandile for his excellent interpersonal skills, and Tshiamo for her dependability. Your contributions are deeply appreciated, and we're grateful for the dedication and passion you bring to our work every day. Congratulations to the entire team—we truly are a dream team! Here's to celebrating our amazing colleagues and the incredible impact we're making together!
It's been busy and productive, and I'm loving every moment of it. Thanks to the comms team for the amazing insights!
Whew! Busy month! Thank you, Tshiamo, for beautifully capturing our progress and accomplishments.