The 18 July 2021 marks the 12th Nelson Mandela International Day. Celebrated both locally and internationally, this day stands in honour of Nelson Mandela, his life and his values. It is a day where we celebrate and remember a man who fought for equality and social justice. We commemorate active citizenship, volunteerism, and organisations that stand on the front-line championing causes that remain crucial to our society.
This Mandela Day, the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS), a Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation partner entity, is launching a COVID-19 relief campaign to support schools across the country. The campaign aims to address critical gaps that impede teaching and learning in schools. The COVID-19 relief campaign interventions include sanitation, digitalisation of classrooms, the provision of infrastructure and food security. Through the support of donors, the Foundation will kick off the campaign at Qhobosheane Primary School in Soweto on the 16 of July 2021 in light of Mandela Day.
The global pandemic has impacted communities worldwide, posing new social and economic difficulties while intensifying existing ones. COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it, with many sectors grappling with modifying systems and operations, and adapting to the new normal. This is no different in the education sector. The pandemic has exposed and pushed the depth of the socio-economic inequalities in our schools. Learners from marginalised schools are cut off during extended school closures as remote learning is not yet an option. Further, schools struggle with overcrowding and sanitation, meaning they cannot provide a safe schooling environment conducive to teaching and learning amid the pandemic.
According to the Adopt-a-School Foundation Chief Executive Officer Steven Lebere, the Foundation supports 622 schools nationally through its Whole School Development model that addresses school leadership, infrastructure, curriculum and social welfare. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges in many schools from marginalised communities. The Foundation has developed a holistic COVID-19 relief campaign aimed at addressing these challenges.
“To tackle the gaps caused by COVID-19 in schools, we need to raise significant funding. We are calling upon Corporate South Africa to partner with us and donate towards our extensive menu of COVID-19 relief projects. The contribution will enable teaching and learning to continue. All pledges are also welcomed as they will allow us to implement more interventions in more schools. Partnerships are critical to our work. Since 2002, with the help of our partners and funders, we have invested over a billion rand in education, benefitting over a million beneficiaries. For this reason, we believe in Corporate South Africa and are excited about this initiative. We know it is only through collaboration that we can fight the impacts of COVID-19 in schools and ensure all learners have access to education during this difficult time.” Continued Steven.
To get involved in the campaign, email the Adopt-a-School Foundation Events Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more details about the campaign and the work of the Adopt-a-School Foundation, visit www.adoptaschool.org.za. The Foundation is very excited about the campaign and looks forward to hearing from small, medium and large enterprises.
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Adopt-a-School Statistics:
- Since its inception, over 19,400 learners have benefitted from Health and Sanitation programmes.
- Over 9,400 learners participated in awareness campaigns.
- The programme has reached 17,670 learners.
- The programme has hosted over 390 parental workshops.
About Adopt-a-School Foundation
Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS) is an entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF) and was officially established in 2002 by a group of concerned individuals, including Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr James Motlatsi. The Foundation is registered as a Section 21 company with PBO status and has an Independent Board of Directors.
The 2020 Top Empowerment Award Winner, Adopt-a-School Foundation, works with a wide range of stakeholders including; District, Provincial and National Departments of Basic Education, corporate donors, various service providers and best practice NGOs. The Foundation implements Whole School Development – a holistic model aimed at improving the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.
There are currently 622 schools under the Adopt-a-School Foundation’s adoption programme. The Foundation works in all nine provinces in South Africa, and in Lesotho and Mozambique.
For more information on Adopt-a-School, visit the Foundation’s website at www.adoptaschool.org.za. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 011 592 6580.
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