Celebrating 40 Years of Impact Through Collaboration

A celebratory milestone part of Kagiso Trust’s 40th anniversary celebrations is the Amathuba Projects Launch. The launch brought together community organisations, government represenatives, educational institutions, youth groups and development partners to celebrate the power of collaboration in creating sustainable change.

Held at the historic Settlers Monument in Makhanda, the event reflected Kagiso Trust’s continued commitment to strengthening communities through partnerships, innovation and locally driven solutions. Since establishing its presence in Makhanda in 2018, Kagiso Trust has worked alongside local stakeholders to advance collaborative governance, education development, community empowerment and socio-economic growth.

The launch showcased community-led initiatives that demonstrate how collective action can create meaningful opportunities, particularly for young people such as the:

• Awarenet’s Coding and Robotics Programme, which is expanding access to digital skills, technology and STEM learning opportunities for learners across Makhanda.

• The Access Music Project, which demonstrated the role of arts education in building confidence, creativity, leadership and pathways for youth development.

• The National Arts Festival (NAF), Social Employment Fund (SEF) and Imbumba Yeemboni recycling initiative, which showcased how environmental sustainability, skills development and local economic development can be combined to create community-based solutions.

The launch also introduced a youth-led podcast initiative, creating a platform for young people to share stories of collaboration, innovation and community development in Makhanda. 

Strengthening Partnerships Through Collaborative Governance

A key theme throughout the event was the importance of collaboration in addressing complex development challenges. Stakeholders reflected on the progress made through partnerships between communities, government, civil society, educational institutions and development organisations.

Since 2018, Kagiso Trust’s collaborative governance journey in Makhanda has supported initiatives ranging from education strengthening and municipal engagement to local economic development, NGO capacity building and community development programmes.

A significant milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Arts Festival Social Employment Fund and Imbumba Yeemboni, formalising collaboration around recycling, environmental remediation, skills development and local economic opportunities.The Amathuba Projects Launch was a celebration of Kagiso Trust’s 40-year journey, honouring the past while investing in the future.

Through these initiatives, Kagiso Trust continues to demonstrate that sustainable development is built through partnership, active citizenship and communities empowered to shape their own futures.

Watch the Amathuba Projects Launch recording and explore the event gallery below.

Link for the event recording: