Collaborating with Qhakaza Kukhanye Foundation
Inkululeko is collaborating and knowledge-sharing with Qhakaza Kukhanye Foundation, an organization with the mission of equipping youth from underserved communities through academic development and economic integration to support the growth of South African youth. Qhakaza Kukhanye Foundation (QKF) was established in July 2020 and is currently operating in Nomagqwathekane Comp Tech High School, in Bizana, Eastern Cape.
Learners at Nomagqwathekane Comp Tech High School showing off their QKF learning certificates.
The day-to-day activities at QKF and Inkululeko begin with a morning class, followed by preparation from the tutors, and one-on-one assistance of the learners. QKF aims to empower underserved youth by providing access to education and opportunities for success. They focus on academic development, social wellness, and leadership initiatives. QKF was inspired by the need to bridge the gap between rural and urban education.
Inkululeko, based in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa, operates two branches: Ntsika branch at Ntsika High School and Nyaluza branch at Nyaluza High School. Founded in 2011 by Jason Torreano, the organization aims to provide academic support and applicable business skills to high school learners.
Diving deeper into the goals of the organizations, Inkululeko and QKF recognize that academic excellence and professional success are not only determined by the classroom environment. Socio-economic factors, family background, motivation and access to infrastructure also contribute and these factors must be addressed. Both organizations strive to empower their learners to create a bright and fulfilling future.
Take a moment to learn more about QKF and Inkululeko in a Q&A we had with Andiswa Mjuleka, Xola Asanda Debe, and Nandile Madikizela from QKF and Nosi Dosi from Inkululeko!
Get to know a bit about QKF!
What is the mission of your organization, and what are your goals for the future? Our mission is to provide youth from underserved communities with access and opportunity to realise their full potential. Our goal is to provide youth from underserved communities with access and opportunity so that they may realise their full potential and become successful. We do this by pursuing holistic development focusing on these three key areas: Academic development, social wellness, and leadership and economic integration. We recognize that academic excellence and professional success are not only determined by the classroom environment. Socio-economic factors, family background, motivation and access to infrastructure also contribute and these factors must be addressed.
What has been your greatest accomplishment throughout the development of your organization?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: Our greatest accomplishment as an organization is growing Inkululeko to be able to serve many different learners from many walks of life. We have been challenged to many lengths and have persevered as a team, which I think is really awesome. Through this growth, I have been able to successfully run and coordinate the Business Skills Course, Podcast program, Olico Maths program, literature program and Tutoring. I have really enjoyed watching the programs flourish through collaboration with our team and the learners.
QKF:
Nandile: Our greatest accomplishment has to be the relationship between our learners and their tutors, it has created a perfect environment for teaching and learning which has produced the best results. It has ultimately been the underway expansion of the program to other schools other than the one we are currently at.
Andiswa: Being able to empower learners through providing resources to assist with their academic and social development. Seeing learners have hope for a different and better future despite their circumstances has been the ultimate accomplishment.
What have been the greatest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: We have faced challenges with nutrition and transportation methods for the learners. From not having enough snacks for them, not having enough learners for the programs, sometimes not having enough gadgets and space for the learners. Inkululeko have faced these challenges head on by stepping up to continue providing for the organization's cause and the needs of the learners. Inkululeko provides learners with access to resources such as books, textbooks, desktops, laptops and tablets as well as access to the internet. Inkululeko works in collaboration with several organizations in order to further help the learners and the cause.
QKF:
Xola: The greatest challenge we have faced as an organisation is discovering the extent of socio-economic challenges faced by learners and how these challenges affect their outcomes. Before one can see the positive impact in learner performance there is a myriad of challenges which need to be overcome prior. As an organisation, we have had to shift our focus to have a strong inclination towards social issues rather than giving a myopic focus on academic interventions and outcomes.
Andiswa: Greatest challenges include the realisation that the foundational gap in our learners academic knowledge is worse than we initially estimated and teenage pregnancy.Addressing this challenge continues to be a work in progress as we need to balance shortcomings that were not addressed at a primary school level while also assisting these learners with secondary school concepts. Part of our solution was employing 3 educator graduates to assist with after school classes, using free educational resources to supplement what the learners are learning at school and providing stationery to learners.
Nandile: The greatest challenge has been learners skipping and not attending the extra classes offered by the organisation. We have overcome this by calling a parents’ meeting that later created a firm foundation for the program because we now have the parents' backing.
What do the day-to-day activities look like at QKF and Inkululeko?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: Activities at Inkululeko vary from day to day! Learners are encouraged to go out of their comfort zone both in and out of the classroom. They are challenged to be the best versions of themselves. Learners are challenged to grow by daily lessons in the classroom, such as our business skills program. We work with learners to better themselves through their education and empower the learners to take the next step on their journey after Inkululeko.
QKF:
Nandile: The day-to-day activities begin with a morning class, followed by preparation from the tutors, remedial work and one-on-one assistance of the learners. Later in the day we teach an afternoon class. QKF assists learners in the following subjects: Geography, Isixhosa, English, Mathematics and Physics and Natural science. We are also not just limited by academics, but also venture out into mentoring the social aspect of a learners life.
What was the inspiration to begin your organization?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: The founder of the Organization saw a need for the township high schools that they need extra classes for their academics and extra material to supplement what they have and provide them with Wi-Fi and gadgets to be able to do their assignment and homework. Inkululeko has transformed and transitioned to have new members and assistants to help grow the organization. There are new projects that it has acquired over the years, and they are running smoothly.
QKF:
Xola: QKF was founded by individuals who were born and bred in Bizana. The place is characterised by poverty and poor access to opportunities and enabling facilities. As a result, learners from this region have a difficulty accessing or qualifying for higher education and entering into stable and sustainable jobs. QKF was inspired by both the need in the area and the desire to by the founders to contribute to their place of origin.
Andiswa: We observed a cycle of unemployment in areas like Bizana mainly due to lack of exposure, inequality, other socio-economic factors, and ill-resourced rural schools. With an objective of contributing towards addressing this challenge and our passion for education, we sought to build a platform that would help towards bridging the gap between rural education and high quality urban education by providing QKF learners with essential skills and knowledge, to improve their chances of being eligible for tertiary education and employment opportunities.
How has your organization changed over time?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: It has been a journey as an organization from a few learners and employees to serving many learners and employees. We had to adjust to finding a new space, opening another branch, buying new gadgets to help the people we serve.
QKF:
Xola: QKF has shifted focus from just academics as a performance indicator but rather view impact as the holistic change in an individual.
Where do you see the organization in 10 years?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: In the next 10 years I would like to see Inkululeko expand to neighboring towns, employing the Youth of South Africa, and involving sports in their programs. We are growing as an organization, we are capacitated and learning more about the afternoon sector. The networking we are building with other people, stakeholders hopefully will bring change to the organization and the long-term goals will be achieved.
QKF:
Xola: In ten years’ time the organisation will operate in a district model approach where it has a centre that can benefit learners from multiple schools. Such a centre will serve to attract high-performing learners and focus on providing them with psychosocial and academic support in order for them to realize their highest potential. For lesser performing regions which are often riddled with poverty, health and social issues, the focus will be on providing support in the form of health education, social worker referrals and linking learners to other necessary services before enrolling them in an academic support programme.
Nandile: When the organisation started the main goal was exposing learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to the possibilities outside of their immediate community and we have worked tirelessly in providing that for our kids. In 10 years I would love to see the growth in the organisation through the quality of learners produced by it, the change in the landscape of education in Bizana and a rise of individual thinkers who dare to be different. I would love to see the organisation not just having 3 tutors, but 20 in all the Alfred-ndzo region. Collaborating with as many stakeholders in the education sector and getting backing from them will allow for the growth mentioned and facilitate additional investment that will allow for greater expansion expansion.
Andiswa: A platform that provides meaningful, holistic and sustainable learning opportunities for learners in the wider district of Bizana. This will be achieved through a combination of partnering with like-minded organisations to leverage their resources; raising funding for the required resources; developing a well-resourced on-the ground team that will focus on the day-to-day activities to ensure successful implementation and monitoring of the programme; and continuously adapting the programme to ensure it remains appropriate for the beneficiaries.
How will you reach those goals?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: I believe we will reach these goals by teamwork and collaboration! We have the opportunity to learn from many different leaders in our community as well as learn from the learners and see where they want Inkululeko to go next. It will take time and hard work, but I really believe in this team. We must remember to be driven by our mission of empowering learners through education and continue to strive forward.
QKF:
Xola: QKF is in the process of pivoting to a district model and finding the necessary partners to support the shift in focus.
What is the best part of your job?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: The best part of my job is building relationships with learners and parents, getting to know them better and understanding them in their different capacities because it is where the change comes from.
QKF:
Xola: Connection to people I would otherwise have never met or had the opportunity to interact with.
Nandile: The best part of my job is the lives changed as a result of this organisation and, more than anything, the learners realise their potential and reach for the stars as far as their careers are concerned. The organisation for me means a change in direction of education in Bizana as a whole and a different generation that will uplift the community.
What does QKF mean to you? What does Inkululeko mean to you?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: Inkululeko means freedom. To me, Inkululeko is a sign of hope and determination. Inkululeko believes in the power of education and the places we can go with our education.
QKF:
Xola: QKF means hope and touching lives positively.
How do we define successful collaboration?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: I believe there are two collaborations: the internal and external collaborations, the internal collaboration is when a team works together to achieve their goals. Sharing the knowledge, getting to know each other better and understanding the work together. External collaboration is more like networking, working with people or a team outside the organization. Support is key in this collaboration because we are bringing two different
QKF:
Xola: A successful collaboration is one that sets out an environment for collaborators to tap into their strengths and learn from one another in order to achieve a common goal.
Nandile: A successful collaboration is one that is mutually beneficial, with shared goals and vision, one that has communication and adaptability to all parties.
Andiswa: Successful collaboration is partnering with like-minded organizations/individuals by leveraging each other’s strengths and resources. This enables all the stakeholders in the partnership to achieve greater results than they would have in the absence of the partnership.
What have you been able to accomplish with the support of donors?
Inkululeko:
Nosi: I am learning more about how donations impact the growth of Inkululeko. We are able to use funds to provide resources in order to promote education for the learners both in and outside our classroom. Inkululeko is able to pilot different projects with the employees to see how we can improve engagement with the learners and create programs to better serve the needs of the community. We want to empower the learners to choose to grow and venture off into their own futures after spending time at Inkululeko.
QKF:
Nandile: The donations that we have received have helped balance the equation for both disadvantaged and advantaged learners. Learners were given all the stationary for school to better their studying.
Andiswa: Support from our donors have enable us to purchase stationery, textbooks & study guides, employ graduate educators to assist with after school tutorials, host camps for beneficiaries, and purchase learning equipment such as computers.