At Kagiso Trust, we partner with government and key organisations to tackle the most pressing challenges in education, from early childhood through to higher education.
Our initiatives are designed for long-term, sustainable impact. In collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and other partners, we implement holistic programmes that transform school infrastructure, enhance teacher professional development, and offer targeted student support. Together, we’re shaping the future of education and empowering the next generation to thrive.
Transformative educational programmes that improve lives.
We are committed to expanding and replicating impactful education programmes from Early Childhood Development (ECD) through to tertiary education, including universities and TVETs. Through a structured framework of interventions, we aim to address systemic gaps and create lasting opportunities for learners at every stage of their educational journey.
We are committed to enhancing educational outcomes in marginalised communities. Our programmes focus on equipping teachers with effective teaching strategies, providing essential resources and mentorship for learners, and fostering community engagement through workshops and partnerships. Together, these efforts empower students and create a supportive environment for lasting change.
Empowering schools through sustainable development, enabling academic excellence and holistic growth for learners.
Empowering education for sustainable growth.
The Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) is a flagship initiative by Kagiso Trust, created to tackle critical challenges within the South African education system. Launched in 2004, the programme supports under-resourced schools, improving both educational outcomes and overall school functionality.
BNSDP focuses on sustainable development, empowering schools to achieve academic excellence and fostering holistic growth for learners.
Additionally, the programme offers comprehensive funding to disadvantaged students, primarily from rural schools, to support their 3-4 year University degrees. The funding covers tuition, textbooks, equipment, accommodation, transportation, and administrative costs. This model also ensures that students’ psychosocial needs are also met, enabling holistic growth for learners.
Our approach is rooted in effective partnership and innovation. We collaborate with government entities and key stakeholders to ensure that our educational models are scalable and sustainable.
The BNSDP began as a pilot in the Vhembe district, Limpopo, in 2004. Recognising its success, in partnership with the Free State Department of Education, in 2007 the programme was expanded to 10 schools in the Free State's Thabo Mofutsanyana district.
In 2013, we partnered with the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF) to form the Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST). This collaboration enabled us to implement the District Whole School Development Programme (DWSDP) in 247 schools across the Fezile Dabi and Motheo districts.
Our primary goal is to create a self-sustaining educational environment. In 2016, we successfully consolidated the BNSDP and exited the Thabo Mofutsanyana district. This district continued academic success. which demonstrates our model's enduring impact and sustainability. In the same year, we extended the DWSDP to the Sekhukhune District in partnership with the Limpopo Department of Education. We are committed to replicating the successes achieved in other districts, continually adapting and refining our approach to meet the evolving needs of our education system.
The BNSDP aims to empower schools through innovative and sustainable development, enabling academic excellence and holistic growth for learners. By addressing critical challenges in the education system, we aim to improve educational outcomes and school functionality in under-resourced areas.
Focusing on fields of study and professions where young black professionals are underrepresented, particularly in engineering and commerce.
Creating a legacy of empowerment in scarce skills.
This programme provides scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, promoting higher education in fields with a substantial shortage of black professionals.
The Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP) was established in 2007 to support learners from rural and disadvantaged schools affiliated with Kagiso Trust’s Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme. The initiative focuses on fields of study and professions where young black professionals are underrepresented, particularly in engineering and commerce. By focusing on critical sectors, the programme addresses gaps in the market and promotes the inclusion of young black professionals.
About Eric Molobi
The EMSP was named after the late Eric Molobi, one of our founding Trustees and a former Chief Executive Officer. This was in recognition of his contribution as an active citizen as well as his passion on matters pertaining to education. When Eric was incarcerated as a political prisoner on Robben Island, he furthered his studies – just one example of how much he valued education.
The Alumni Programme
In 2017, during the EMSP 10th anniversary celebration, we launched the Kagiso Trust Alumni Programme. This initiative aims to connect past EMSP and Kagiso Trust Bursary beneficiaries with current scholarship recipients, breeding a culture of giving back and paying it forward.
The Alumni Programme is designed to:
Strengthen bonds between past and current beneficiaries to create a robust support network.
Inspire alumni to mentor current students, offering guidance and sharing experiences.
Facilitate pathways for employment and career advancement through alumni networks.
Alumni are encouraged to give back, empowering future generations to achieve their full potential and contribute positively to society.
The EMSP aims to address gaps in critical sectors by promoting the inclusion of young black professionals in fields such as engineering and commerce. By providing scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the programme helps bridge the gap in representation and empowers future generations.
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Waverley,
Johannesburg, 2000,
South Africa
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