“I am totally amazed by Kagiso Trust. It’s unbelievable actually. I thought it was just an efficient instrument which, after a while, when we’ve achieved freedom, would pass out of existence. But it’s done nothing of the sort. It’s just grown and grown impressively, very impressively. I want to give very considerable credit to all those people involved. They’ve succeeded beyond the wildest dreams that we might have had of something of this kind: an instrument for disbursing funding that has itself become a provider of funds.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu

History

The Kagiso Trust (KT) was established in May 1985 and remains the oldest and most respected black-led development facilitation agency in South Africa. The organisation was established as a mechanism to channel funds which would promote the struggle as well as uplift and empower communities deprived by the system.

From the beginning, KT adopted a non-sectarian approach, lending support to a wide range of progressive organisations working for change in apartheid South Africa. In some instances, the Trust was responsible for setting up new organisations. Kagiso Trust was not simply a funder – it became a catalyst for new development institutions and initiatives. Support was spread across a range of sectors and projects: rural and urban projects, advice centres, welfare, health and education. Since its inception, KT has disbursed over R1.2 billion. The contributions to, and hands-on involvement in, a wide range of projects have allowed Kagiso Trust to make a real difference to the lives of many thousands of South Africans.

Kagiso Trust today

The Trust remains in a strong position. It continues to manage development funds and programmes via its excellent administrative structures and systems. Another advantage includes its deeply entrenched credibility at grassroots level throughout the country, based on years spent building trusting relationships with community-based institutions and regional socio-economic and political networks, as well as various government structures and institutions throughout the provinces.

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees who serve as custodians of the policies, ethos and values of the Trust. The current trustees include Ms Bongi Njobe (Chairperson), Rev Mazwi Tisani, Dean Zwo Nevhutalu and Mr Hylton Appelbaum.

The Trust is also supported by a number of patrons that include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rev Dr Frank Chikane, Fr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Dr Abe Nkomo, Mrs Zanele Mbeki, Prof Jakes Gerwel, Mr Goolam Aboobaker and Dr Max Coleman. All the trustees and patrons have strong community links and a personal commitment to social upliftment.

Development objectives

Throughout Kagiso Trust’s 20-year history, its development objectives have adapted to the changing circumstances.

Currently these are to:

• Build integrated development programmes at grassroots level that can be sustained and repeated elsewhere 
• Help create and maintain a vibrant non-governmental sector, working constructively with government and the private sector
• Provide those disadvantaged by apartheid with access to skills and resourcesArticulate the needs of the poor and marginalised.

Current flagship education projects

Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP)

The new operating model has been established to respond to very specific development challenges in the field of education. Despite efforts over the past ten years, education remains one of South Africa’s greatest challenges. Poverty and a shortage of facilities and resources continue to plague poorer areas. Worst hit are the schools in rural areas, and it is here that Kagiso Trust will focus its attention. This new approach will allow Kagiso Trust to effectively utilise available resources in order to promote project sustainability, as well as allow for effective monitoring and evaluation of the project on an ongoing basis.

The first programme that has been implemented as part of the Trust’s new operating model is the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme, which aims to restore the culture of learning and teaching in schools, while at the same time developing functional and sustainable relationships between key stakeholders within the school community.

The Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme also supports the improvement of school infrastructure in the areas of maths, science and ICT.

Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP)

The second education programme is the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP), which was established in honour of the late Eric Molobi. As a tribute to Molobi, the Kagiso Trust, Kagiso Trust Investments (KTI) and other private sector partners have launched a scholarship programme to fund learners who show an aptitude for maths and science and wish to study further in these fields.

The EMSP targets rural students from impoverished families who attend schools participating in the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme.

The EMSP will combine theory and practice by integrating classroom learning and work experience within the KTI group of companies for the duration of their studies. The beginning of 2007 saw the programme’s first intake of ten learners.

You can view Kagiso Trust's website at www.kagiso.co.za

Their direct contact details are as follows:

27 Scott Street, Waverley, South Africa 

• Tel No 011 566 1900
• Fax No 011 566 1934