Kagiso Trust InBrief Issue#17 August 2015 Aug 2015 | Page 7

www.kagiso.co.za

Kagiso Trust announces the winners of the Beyers Naudé
Schools Development Programme (BNDSP) Essay writing
Competition at the Infrastructure Launch

K

agiso Trust has a long
working history and
relationship
with
schools in the Thabo
Mofutsanyana District, Free State.
For the past eight years, the Beyers
Naudé Schools Development
Programme (BNSDP) has been
working in partnership with
the Free State Department of
Education to transform underperforming schools into centres
of academic excellence, focusing
on management strategies of the
schools, curriculum delivery and
the accountability of the school
governing bodies, among other
interventions.

father would be very proud with
the academic performance of these
schools and learners” she said.
“Learners must take advantage of
the media and science centre as it’s
one of the best centres equipped
with resources that will equip
learners with their maths and
science particles.”

The Free State MEC for Education,
Tate Makgoe addressed the Matric
class of 2015 and said, “You
must start dreaming now about
achieving seven distinctions and
not let your circumstances define
your future. It’s not about how you
start but how you finish. The Free
State Department of Education
The schools’ infrastructure was has outlined a four step formula of
handed over to six primary schools success for the class of 2015.
and two high schools over a twoday school walkabout. The schools
These are focus, hard work,
received libraries, physical and life perseverance and discipline.”
sciences laboratories, media and The MEC also thanked the
computer centres. The Beacon principal, the teachers, parents
Secondary School achieved a 100% and community for their ongoing
pass rate in the 2014 matric results, support.
proving that great academic results On the second day of the
and hard work can prevail over infrastructure launch, the BNSDP
socio economic circumstances.
Essay Competition winners were
announced during the main
Nthabiseng Secondary School, ceremony held at Nexus Primary
after being awarded infrastructure School in Harrismith.
in 2014, launched the Eric Molobi
Media and Science Centre, named The objective of the BNSDP
after the late Eric Molobi, who was Essay Competition was to engage
a political stalwart and Robben learners on their thoughts on
Island prisoner as well as former leadership, transformation and
Kagiso Trust CEO. The Molobi innovation in education. As the
family was represented by Eric’s famous words of former president
daughter Naomi Ratsheko. “My Nelson Mandela, “Education is

the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world.”
In order for that weapon to be
effective and change the world
for the better, all involved parties
have an imperative role to play.
With this in mind learners were
asked to write an essay, answering
the question “What makes an
innovative teacher?
26 schools in the Thabo
Mofutsanyana district participated
in the competition and there was
an overwhelming response from
the learners. After a long judging
process, three overall winners
were selected, Nomvula Xaba
and Mpatetse Maleka, both from
Lekgulo Secondary School and
Nokhanya Thokoa Sekgutlong
Secondary School.
Grade 12 learner, Mpatetse Maleka
from Lekgulo Secondary said that,
“innovative teachers should be
vibrant, energetic and passionate
and must be able to introduce
new ideas into the class room.
I’m thankful to Kagiso Trust for
selecting me as one of the winners
and for building my school a
science lab, computer centre and a
new hall. Next year I would like to
further my studies and become a
meteorologist.”
“It has always been our wish to
celebrate our 30 year anniversary
with the very people who have
made our work and longevity
possible” added Themba Mola
Kagiso Trust Acting CEO.

August 2015 Kagiso Trust InBrief | 7