2022 saw ongoing growth and development of our Maritzburg College Khanyisa Outreach Programmes, which achieved different milestones.
From the start of 2022, the High School Khanyisa Programme was in full swing although this was not an easy 2 year period from 2021-2022. Our Khanyisa learners maintained a positive attitude and through the generous sponsorship from Hulamin, the programme kept its momentum and objective of ensuring no learner is left behind. To date, the programme has changed the lives of many learners and educators across the uMgungundlovu district, not least because of its trickle-down effect to maximise reach. By equipping a handful of staff and learners at each school, they are, in turn, able to impart their newly acquired skills and knowledge to the other staff and students at their respective schools. In this way, the academic assistance that Khanyisa delivers grows exponentially in both its reach and the lasting effects. This year, adopting a more holistic approach to improving the relationship that students have with learning, has seen increased success. Some of the recent changes include making the lessons and education more interactive, focusing on skills and techniques for test and exam writing, as well as providing essential like toiletries for beneficiaries.
The impacts of this life changing programme were evident when the grade 12 learners from the 2021-2022 cohort sat for their NSC examinations, producing exceptional result. We are very proud of the top 2 learners who both achieved marks above 90% in our Khanyisa core subjects.
Our top 3 learners were:
- Emzamweni High School: Amahle Masikane achieved 91% English Second Additional Language
- Umthoqotho High: Khulekani Cele achieved 94% Mathematics & 93% Physical Science
Thank you to the dedicated facilitators for the expectational work that they do with the learners and their educators on the weekends.
The impact of the High School Khanyisa Programme to date
The 2023-2024 Cohort is well on its way with 100 grade 11 learners and the 20 educators from the different subject areas attending Khanyisa every weekend. The subject focus remains on Mathematics, English Second Additional language and Physical Science.
Our Khanyisa Extended Learning initiative held its very first function as fund raiser for the Primary School Khanyisa Programme. This was a Sip & Sketch evening held on the 9 December with Mr Brent Dodd prior to his departure from Maritzburg College.
All the funds raised from this event went towards the Primary School Khanyisa Programme which looks after 25 primary school learners from previously disadvantaged communities. The Khanyisa Extended learning programme is hoping to have more events and courses to uplift the educators from the surrounding underprivileged communities in the future.
The Programme’s objective aims to provide quality education and mentorship to children who cannot afford it. As a result, we have been able to identify and support a number of talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have reached several of the objectives with the main one being affording learners from previous disadvantaged communities an opportunity to be part of Maritzburg College for 2024-2028 as College boys. Two boys from the programme have shown incredible talent on the sports field and are high gifted academically, and therefore have been accepted into College. The programme also continues to shape the lives of those learners who don’t physically attend Khanyisa and our Media Centre has been donating library books to the five Khanyisa Primary schools to encourage reading.
The programme is a remarkable testament to the power of education and mentorship. The programme continues to achieve its objectives and will continue to change lives in the future. We Thank all our Primary School Sponsors for the generous sponsorships.