In the lead up to Mandela Day, Symphonia for South Africa calls on corporates and individual business leaders, as well as ordinary citizens, to contribute financially to its leadership development and principal support programme, Partners for Possibility (PfP). This will allow more school principals across from under-resourced schools across South Africa to experience the award-winning PfP process.
‘’In honour of Mandela’s appeal to eradicate poverty, a theme that underscores annual Mandela Day celebrations, PfP continues to improve school leadership through the rolling out of its programme to under-resourced schools. Through improving the leadership skills of school leaders, which subsequently drives improved education outcome for learners, PfP strives to address the underlying causes of poverty and inequality. And we know that quality education is a viable means to overcome inherited poverty and inequality,’’ says Symphonia for South Africa’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Dorcas Dube.
For the one of the most iconic leaders of our time, it was imperative that real educational change begins in the impoverished communities on the periphery of society. ‘’Many [students in] far off rural areas in our country do not become confident readers and writers,” Mandela is reported to have said. “Indeed, they are denied the creativity that in turn denies the world the boldness of their ideas.”
While the majority of South African students — black and white — now attend primary school, vast income inequality, as well as a lack of support and empowerment of school principals, insufficiently trained teachers and improper facilities, has largely prevented rural students from closing the racial achievement gap that emerged during apartheid.
‘’Since its inception almost a decade ago, PfP believes it has made a significant contribution in realising Mandela’s vision of quality for all children in South Africa. The programme has been rolled out in all nine provinces, reaching a number of outlying, rural areas.
The leadership development and principal support initiative is informed by a theory of change that acknowledges local, in-school leadership as the most sustainable way to effect the change Mandela envisioned. The sustainable nature of the programme means that every day on the programme – and beyond – truly epitomises and maintains the spirit of Mandela Day for the participants and their respective communities,’’ says Dube.
It is well known that beyond his commitment to education in his formal capacity, Mandela made a concerted effort to encourage the private sector to contribute to education, particularly in marginalised communities.
‘’The PfP programme facilitates a much needed public/private sector partnership, and allows business leaders the opportunity to contribute to developing the future potential of our children,’’ Dube adds.
Echoing the essence of the often quoted words attributed to Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done’, the successes of the PfP programmme bear testament to the possibilities that can be generated through collaborative effort, innovative thinking and active citizenry.
“Our hope is that all stakeholders – government, business, civil society and ordinary citizens – apply their knowledge and skills in a coordinated manner to achieve the common goal of creating #TheFutureWeWant which encompasses quality education for all our children.
This is how we can all keep Madiba’s legacy of love, peace equality alive,’’ Dube concludes.
Socially conscious business leaders across South Africa: commit to the Partners for Possibility programme this Mandela Day. This is your opportunity to contribute to education through a partnership with a principal from an under-resourced school. Benefit from a hands-on experience which is designed to hone your leadership skills and build your leadership acumen.
Contact at [email protected] or visit www.PfP4SA.org for more information.
