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The Kagiso Trust extends its heartfelt congratulations to all successful 2020 matriculants, who have overcome a final school year like no other to take the next step on their life journeys.
The Trust, a leading self-funded South African development agency, takes particular pride in the performance of the grade 12s in schools that are part of its Beyers Naude Schools Development Programme (BNSDP). These learners, mostly from the most challenged areas of South Africa, have overcome both their own circumstances and the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic to honour themselves, their schools, their families and their communities.
The BNSDP’s work in the Free State has helped the province once again record the highest matric pass rate in South Africa, with 85.1%. While this is down from their percentage rate of 88.4% in 2019, it must be noted that the effects of the pandemic caused a drop in pass rates across South Africa. The Free State was still significantly above the national pass percentage of 76.2%, proof of the sustainability of the BNSDP model.
After a year of disruption, the Trust was encouraged that 578,468 full-time candidates were able to sit for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, the most since 2016. Despite the drop in pass rate, more learners attained the NSC and there was also an increase in the number of those who qualified for Bachelor studies from 2019, up by 24,762 to 210,820.
“Education is the foundation of the Kagiso Trust’s aim to eradicate poverty in South Africa,” says CEO, Mankodi Moitse. “Education in our country has its challenges, and the Covid-19 pandemic threatened to destroy the hopes and dreams of many matriculants. To be able to prevail despite the closure of schools and the challenges that came with being denied access to traditional and necessary schooling, is a feat that shows the determination and resilience of the learners.
“We must also pay tribute to the work of educators, parents, communities and the Trust’s teams of experts on the ground around the country, particularly in Limpopo and the Free State. Their collaboration and dedication has been vital in getting the 2020 matrics through this year.”
The Trust seeks to build and implement workable educational models that instil a sustainable culture of excellence in schools. After the success of the BNSDP in the Free State, where the matric pass rate level in schools in the programme increased dramatically and the province attained the highest pass rate South Africa, the Trust is aiming for similar results with its interventions in rural and township schools in the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo. The province’s 2020 pass rate dropped to 68.2% from 73.2% in 2019, but these are early days in the Limpopo programme.
In 2007, the Trust partnered with the Free State Department of Education, beginning with 10 schools in 2007. It now incorporates over 160 schools and has seen one district record matric pass rates of over 90%. In the 2020 NSC results, the Fezile Dabi, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Motheo districts in the Free State made the national top 10 list, recording the sixth, seventh and 10th best matric results in South Africa.
The BNSDP has a unique model that enables it to build sustainable, long-term success. It provide curriculum support, infrastructure development, psycho-social support and leadership. It offers an inclusive, holistic approach that partners with education departments, involves the community, supplies funding and is biased to rural areas.
It is also adaptable, which was necessary during the pandemic. After the schools were closed, a lack of connectivity, data or devices for online education meant learners in Limpopo had no access to lessons. The Trust partnered with the Limpopo Education Department to provide grade 12 learners with lessons broadcast by community radio stations seven days a week for an hour a day. The Trust also set up camps for grade 12 learners to assist with the curriculum catch up and exam preparation
“Sustainability in education does not begin and end with matric,” says Moitse. “The Trust’s approach begins with Early Childhood Development, where children develop learning competencies. Those who have been a part of the BNSDP can apply for the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP) to further their education after grade 12. The alumni of the EMSP offer mentorship to those on the EMSP programme, which creates a sustainable circle of support that helps break the cycle of poverty.”
For over 35 years the Kagiso Trust, a self-funded development agency, has dedicated itself to providing resources and sustainable programmes to overcome poverty, inequality and to create real and lasting economic empowerment of those South Africans who need it the most – the poor. The Trust was founded in 1985 when South Africa was still under the oppression of apartheid and helped in the struggle by supporting other development institutions and organisations. Our patrons include the late Dr Beyers Naude, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Father Smangaliso Mkhatswa, Dr Nkomo and former first lady Zanele Mbeki. It has invested over R2 billion in development and implemented over 1,831 programmes, developing and implementing scalable, replicable, sustainable development programme models in the areas of education development, institutional capacity building, socio-economic development and financial sustainability.