Symphonia for South Africa is delighted to announce the release of Partners for Possibility: Stories of Impact, the second instalment of the decade-long journey of South Africa’s very own business-education initiative.
In celebration of this release, Partners for Possibility (PfP) will host a series of launches via Zoom to share some of the stories of impact featured in the 38 chapters of the book.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve decided to launch our second book in several virtual sessions over the course of the next few months. Our aim is to use these launches to share the extraordinary PfP story and to celebrate the 10 years of impact that PfP has had. We also hope the sessions will encourage more people to become involved in our programme,’’ says Dorcas Dube – Partners for Possibility Marketing and Communication Manager.
In 2015, PfP published its first book, Partners for Possibility: How business leaders and principals are igniting radical change in South African Schools, which captured the essence of the remarkable work being done through PfP. The sequel is a 10-year reflection on PfP’s dedication to changing South Africa’s education system through brokering trailblazing partnerships between business leaders and school principals. It features a beautiful collection and celebration of many different voices that bear testament to the power and potential of South Africa’s active citizenry.
In the first chapter of Stories of Impact, PfP founder, Dr Louise van Rhyn explains how she and co-author Theo Garrun went about conceptualising and then writing the book. “Our original plan was to write a story that would encourage people with an interest in education in Africa to rethink their assumptions about how to effect change in education. After the first few visits and conversations with principals and business leaders, I realised that we needed to shift direction and simply tell the stories of the people who have been touched by this work,’’ explains van Rhyn.
Ridwan Samodien, the Co-Founder of PfP and principal of the first PfP school, Kannemeyer Primary, said: “The stories emanating from this book represent not only stories of hope, but stories of action. They showcase the efforts of ordinary South Africans carving out a better future for our children.’’
“We hope that you will enjoy reading this book as much as we have enjoyed producing it. The stories serve as an invitation for you to think about your own practice as a leader and change maker,‘’ concludes van Rhyn.
You can now purchase Stories of Impact by visiting https://krlibrary.co.za/product/partners-for-possibility-2010-2020-stories-of-impact/ or email PfP@Symphonia.net to request a copy. An electronic (Kindle) edition is also available on Amazon.
More about Partners for Possibility
PfP brings together skilled business leaders and school principals of under resourced schools in a 12-month programme of leadership development for both partners. Together, the partnership receives world class leadership training and the support of similar partnerships, while they apply their new skills and existing abilities and tap into their networks to tackle the unique challenges faced by schools in South Africa. To date, over 1 000 000 learners are attending over 1000 schools across South Africa in which the leadership has been strengthened through PfP.
Contact Dorcas@Symphonia.net or visit www.PfP4SA.org for more information on the Partners for Possibility programme and Symphonia for South Africa NPC.
Praise for Stories of Impact
This book gives deep insight through first-person accounts of the shared experiences of head teachers and the executives who give freely of their time to help create a future for children let down by a dysfunctional system which betrays the dreams and aspirations of tens of thousands every year.
Bruce Whitfield, Author, Speaker and Radio Host
This book is a must-read for activists in non-governmental organisations, planners and policymakers in government and funders in the development business. Now, when corporates ask me the familiar question, ‘what can we as business people do?’ I have a simple answer: ‘Here, read this amazing book.’
Professor Jonathan D Jansen, Distinguished Professor of Education, Stellenbosch University
This book keeps the experiences alive in the hearts and minds of those that have been through the programme and attracts the interest of those who read about them. The simplicity and authenticity of the stories told will extend the reach of the PfP experience to millions.
Makgoshi Sindane, CSI Programme Manager, Development Bank of Southern Africa
PfP raises our optimism and hope that our schools will become ‘the central laboratory of holistic learning in communities’. It is a dream we must cherish.
Sharna Fernandez, Provincial Minister, Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government
This book helps to fill our understanding of the interface between the people convened by Partners for Possibility. I know that understanding this draws us closer and vests our collective interests in the power of education. These are the stories of hope in our future.
Trevor Manuel
Chairman: Old Mutual
