Komala Pillay on the importance of developing conscious leaders for the good of society and business

Komala Pillay on the importance of developing conscious leaders for the good of society and business CEO of the Citizen Leader Lab, Komala Pillay, shares her journey from being an engineer to becoming a pioneer in using HR for good, with the goal of improving the lives of the country’s most vulnerable communities. After working in the private sector for nearly 20 years, Komala Pillay followed yet another one of her many callings. In 2020, she left a lucrative job as an engineer at a JSE and NYSE listed global chemicals and energy company to take up the role of CEO of the Citizen Leader Lab, a non-governmental organisation that grows conscious citizen leaders. Komala wanted to make a greater contribution towards our country’s progress, recognizing that the current socio-economic inequalities in South Africa must be addressed to create a more peaceful, stable and prosperous country for all its citizens. She joined Citizen Leader Lab, an organisation that understands the critical need for capable leadership across all sectors and all levels of society. “Our purpose is to develop conscious leadership that builds social cohesion, uplifts communities, and works towards achieving a just society. Our mission is to develop leaders who can catalyse positive change in their institutions, communities and broader society,” Komala explains. Before joining Citizen Leader Lab, Komala was inspired by the work they were doing, especially in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors through their flagship programme Leaders for Education. Through this programme, Citizen Leader Lab pairs public school principals with business leaders from the private sector in a year-long, immersive leadership development experience. The programme strengthens leadership capacity in schools, supporting school principals to become effective and conscious agents of change, and it fosters a strong and effective public-private partnership that brings new knowledge, skills and networks into public schools. Empowering principals from quintile 1 to quintile 4 schools – -schools that are classified as poor and under-resourced – has been nothing short of revolutionary. The Citizen Leader Lab works with a network of business leaders and education districts across the country. Business leaders are matched with school principals, all of whom volunteer to partake in the programme, sparking a partnership characterised by the exchange of ideas, the sharing of viewpoints, experiences and solutions over the period of the partnership.   Personal development Komala points out that the programme does not follow the typical mentorship top-down approach. Instead, the business leaders and the school principals are co-collaborators in a journey of problem solving, skills and leadership development and social awareness. For the school principals, the Leaders for Education programme helps them develop their leadership skills. They graduate from the programme with increased confidence and resilience, improved communication and team management skills, and with enhanced capabilities in bringing teachers, parents and other stakeholders along to support a common vision. The business leaders bring to the mix a different perspective based on their management experiences and expertise in the private sector. The leaders also expose the school principals to their vast network of other professional experts, who are sometimes roped in to support the school principals in areas where they need backing. “The business leaders bring their knowledge, they bring networks, and they bring a fresh perspective to the education system. School principals have often been battling with the challenges within their schools for years. Business leaders come in as thinking partners to the principal, and this partnership often sparks creative new ideas and solutions,” Komala notes. An effective school principal plays a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting teachers, boosting morale, inspiring motivation and fostering innovation. This creates an environment that is conducive to learning and inspires positive changes within the education system as a whole. There is a benefit for the business leaders as well, who get an opportunity to flex their leadership muscles in an environment where they have no positional power, and where they have to learn to influence to achieve results. Through their interactions with the school principals and visits to the school, they inevitably become exposed to the community as well. This leads to better understanding of the context within under-resourced communities, which can help build stronger relationships with communities surrounding their business. Besides the obvious communal and national contribution, the programme is also a platform for personal growth.   HR for good The collective social benefits of these personal development engagements are immeasurable. Businesses are part of the societies they operate in, and the people who work for and run organisations are citizens of the said society. So it only makes sense that partnerships between the private and public sectors, as well as civil society and communities be fostered and bolstered. Komala believes it is critical for society in its entirety to find the solutions that will spark social renewal, reignite hope and self-belief, as well as grow capacity. Executives and other leaders in organisations occupy positions of power, which allow them to bring others along and unlock human potential and capacity. Programmes such as Leaders for Education offer a platform for business leaders to try new approaches that they would not ordinarily be exposed to. In these spaces of unlocking growth, capacity, development and of power and influence, catalysing positive change – leaders have the space to be partners who co-create and lead alongside their teams. “I think our work can completely support business to achieve what they want to achieve in terms of leadership development and also make a contribution towards improving our country. Our aim really is to foster a culture of strong leadership in our country where we prioritise conscious leadership, where people are aware of the impact of their leadership on society,” she says. As part of their wellness strategies, organisations that are seeking to inspire their teams differently can look at the partner programmes offered at Citizen Leader Lab. Participating business leaders do so on a voluntary basis, a practice that has been found to have a positive impact on employees. With

How a Brief Encounter Changed My Life: A Reflection for Youth Month in South Africa

How a Brief Encounter Changed My Life: A Reflection for Youth Month in South Africa Iviwe Mtubu In 2017, I had the honour of joining my school principal at an event where we shared our stories—his as a participant and alumnus of the Citizen Leader Lab leadership programme for school principals, and mine as a learner in the same school, Wynberg High, which serves a poor community in Cape Town. My story was one that many South Africans know all too well—growing up in a township, raised in a single parent home, and surrounded by poverty. However, my talk was not about hardship; it was about triumph. It was about defying the odds and making it against all expectations, and the realization of what is possible when ordinary citizens actively contribute to developing leadership that creates a better future for all and how this affects young people. The most noteworthy part of that day was not my own story. It was a brief encounter with a remarkable leader from Citizen Leader Lab. We exchanged only a few words that day, and I would never have imagined that this shared moment would change the course of my life. I saw this person one more time when I was at university when she facilitated a diversity workshop for a group of Jakes Gerwel Fellows of which I was one, studying towards a teaching degree at the University of Cape Town. Fast forward to late 2019, when unexpectedly, I received messages on LinkedIn and Facebook from this person—she was trying to get in touch with me. Despite knowing very little about me, she reached out because I had left a lasting impression on her. She had an opportunity for five South African students to attend a social entrepreneurship and innovation programme in Cape Town, designed for University of Maryland students from America, and she believed I belonged in the programme. It was a humbling moment for me as a young person. Here was an accomplished adult who had met me briefly, yet believed in my potential, and in me. Thanks to her unwavering determination, I was able to participate in that programme, representing South Africa on an international stage. I am a YoungEd Africa fellow because in 2022 she recommended that I apply for this programme aimed at empowering young people through fostering professional development within various tracks in the education sector. Today, I am a distinguished Jakes Gerwel Fellow who studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT). I hold a Bachelor’s degree specializing in Environmental and Geographical Science, coupled with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) focusing on Geography and History, both attained with distinction. I have just completed an Honours degree in Environmental and Geographical Science, and am commencing with my Master’s in Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT in the second semester, underscoring my commitment to environmental science. I am a registered Candidate Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA), with a solid grounding in environmental assessment and project management, complemented by a certificate from the University of Pretoria. A highlight of my academic prowess is my involvement with the Golden Key International Honour Society, which recognizes the top 15% of students in any field of study. My professional journey is one of significant contributions to education and environmental science. At Westerford High School, Cape Town, I served as a teacher for Geography and Mathematical Literacy and as a Deputy Head of House, inspiring students from Grades 8 to 12. My leadership capabilities developed early on during my time at Wynberg High School, Cape Town, where I served as Head Prefect, President of the Debating Society, and Founder of the Peace Club. My leadership extended to the Representative Council of Learners, where I held the roles of Chair and Treasurer. Recognized for my outstanding contributions to education and leadership, I was a 2021 Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans, listed under the Education category. My accolades include membership in the Golden Key Honours Society, the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship under the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Endowment, Ikamva Youth’s Best Tutor award, and SHAWCO UCT’s Excellence in Teaching Award. As we celebrate Youth Month in South Africa, 30 years into our democracy, it is a poignant reminder of the role young people play in shaping the future. Youth Month commemorates the bravery of students during the Soweto Uprising of 1976, who fought for their right to equal education. It serves as a reminder that the voices and actions of young people can drive significant change. But young people can’t do it alone, tapping into the wisdom of our leadership community is useful as a reflector for our development. By being present and sharing our stories, we open doors to unexpected opportunities and create connections that can alter the trajectory of our lives. This person’s belief in me did not just change my life; it affirmed the importance of believing in others, and in potential, where it might not be immediately visible. I am grateful that my hard work, coupled with my service to community and the belief of someone in my abilities – has helped develop my leadership as a young person. This very personal experience taught me the incredible power of relationship, partnership, engaging with purpose, passion and possibility. Imagine what is possible if more of us can develop the kind of leadership that builds a better future for all. About Citizen Leader Lab Citizen Leader Lab leadership programmes create the right kind of environments to support school leaders to be able to engage with their community, engender a culture shift, welcome and work with partners more effectively, define their own needs better and decide what they want to create in their school environments, and look for the resources that will help them to create this future. For more information: www.citizenleaderlab.org or info@citizenleaderlab.org

‘’We Started a Reading Revolution!’’ says Grassy Park principal

‘’We Started a Reading Revolution!’’ says Grassy Park principal The recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessment is a stark reminder of just how far South Africa’s youth are lagging behind. A staggering 81 % of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning in any language. While low literacy rates among our youth persist, Kannemeyer Primary School in Grassy Park has taken a proactive approach. Through Principal Ridwan Samodien’s visionary leadership, the school has forged partnerships which have promoted literacy and instilled a love for reading among its learners. Kannemeyer’s evolution to the literacy-loving school it is today, did not happened overnight. It began 13 years ago when Samodien, a self-described ‘’shy’’ leader, embarked on a unique leadership development journey with Citizen Leader Lab. This globally recognised NPO develops and strengthens the capacity of leaders in the private and public sectors. On Citizen Leader Lab’s school leadership programme, Samodien was paired with Dr Louise van Rhyn, an award-winning social entrepreneur and leadership and organisational development practitioner. This partnership with a business leader had a profound impact on Samodien’s ability to lead, and positively impacted the school’s infrastructure, its teachers and learners and the broader community. Samodien, however, knew that his job remained unfinished. The principal’s ‘light bulb’ moment came when in 2017, South Africans were first confronted with the sobering reality of our literacy levels. At the time, 78% of our grade 4 learners could not read for comprehension in any language. Recognising the urgency of the situation in his own school and community Samodien, a noticeably more confident leader, applied his mind to transform the literacy landscape at Kannemeyer. In collaboration with literacy organisation, Wordworks SA, Samodien began a successful programme that empowered Kannemeyer’s parents to contribute to their children’s literacy skills. According to Wordworks SA, the initiative led to a ‘’marked increase in the annual systemic tests for literacy’’ at Kannemeyer. Then in 2019, together with former learner, Emile Coetzee, Samodien set out to find a creative solution to encourage reading among the learners. Coetzee and his team at Epik Set Construction built book booths, reminiscent of traditional telephone booths. These booths continue to provide accessible and inviting spaces for learners to engage with books before, during and after school. Samodien believes that the booths have eliminated bureaucratic book borrowing processes. This has fostered trust, responsibility, and a respect for literature. He added: “We wanted to find new ways to encourage a love for reading, but more importantly to develop reading with understanding. We started a reading revolution!” said Samodien. The 2020 edition of World Read Aloud Day presented yet another opportunity to inculcate a culture of reading at Kannemeyer. With the help of parents and staff, the school launched a year-long reading competition to encourage a love for reading with understanding. The challenge was incentivised: Whoever read the most books by the end of the year would win R500. Learners from all grades participated. ‘’The children were paired as ‘reading buddies’, with Grade 7s reading to Grade Rs, Grade 6s to Grade 1s, Grade 5s to Grade 3s and Grade 4s to Grade 2s,’’ said Samodien. Alumni and other stakeholders of Kannemeyer participated in a mini-billboard initiative, which featured a quote on the importance of reading from each person. These billboards still adorn the corridors of the school. Former head boy, Lester Kiewit, now CapeTalk show host and journalist, was also invited to read aloud to the learners.   School principals are key drivers of better literacy outcomes. But they can only do this when they are capacitated and supported to lead their schools. If you are a business leader who wants to play your part in tackling South Africa’s literacy crisis, join Citizen Leader Lab’s Execs Back to School programme this July. Experience a South African public school first-hand, while exploring how the private sector can help address this systemic issue. Email Info@citizenleaderlab.org to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited. #TheFutureWeWant

Unlocking Potential: Cape Flats School Transformed through Leadership Development and Partnership

Unlocking Potential: Cape Flats School Transformed through Leadership Development and Partnership The corridors of Lavender Hill High echo with the sounds of laughter, learning and a sense of community. It’s all thanks to the leadership of the school’s principal, Fuad Viljoen. He is not just a leader – he’s a beacon of hope, constantly working towards unlocking the unbridled potential of the school’s learners and staff. But creating a school like this does not happen by chance. Knowing this, Viljoen, who was appointed the principal of Lavender Hill High in 2020, joined leadership development NPO, Citizen Leader Lab, to help him navigate his new role, and shape the school as an agent for transformation in the community. Citizen Leader Lab develops and strengthens the capacity of leaders in the private and public sectors. Through its unique learning methodology, the organisation partners leaders in business with leaders in the public sector. One of these programmes pairs principals from schools in under-resourced communities with business leaders and together they embark on a structured 12-month leadership programme. Principals receive the support and skills needed to lead change and mobilise communities around their schools, and business leaders develop new leadership skills through exposure to the complex world of the South African public school. Viljoen was paired with Brett Fish Anderson, a representative of social change organisation, Heartlines. Lavender Hill High is situated in an area where gangsterism, substance abuse, drive-by shootings and rampant gender-based violence are rife. Many of the schools’ 1,261 learners are frequently exposed to this violence and trauma. Through all that, the school has managed to maintain a matric pass rate of between 78-90%. The schools’ five year vision is to increase the quality of its matric passes, with more learners obtaining bachelor passes and entry to tertiary studies. As a principal appointed from another school in the community, Viljoen says that it was vital for him to spend time getting to know the school’s set up, staff and learners before he could think of tangible ways to improve the school. ‘’It was difficult as first, but the skills of contracting, negotiating and influencing that I learnt on the Citizen Leader Lab programme, and a bit of trial and error, helped me to identify who were my most trustworthy colleagues,’’ says Viljoen. He says that interacting with other principals and business leaders on the programme helped him navigate the ‘’choppy waters’’ of being an ‘’outsider’’. ‘’I was at a Community of Practice meeting with the other principals and business leaders doing the programme from our area. The principal from Mitchell’s Plain Primary shared her struggles of being a new principal at a new school. Her story really resonated with me, and so we began to exchange ideas on how to overcome our shared challenges,’’ says Viljoen. At the same time, Anderson wanted to establish a relationship built on foundations of trust and friendship with Viljoen before getting to grips with the school’s challenges. He says that he soon discovered that being an ‘’unconventional business leader’’ had many unexpected benefits for their partnership: ‘’I couldn’t necessarily raise the money to build, say, a new computer room for Lavender Hill High, but I actually found that imparting my skills of storytelling and creating connection was more useful to Fuad. We were able to think outside the box about solutions that could actually work in a school.’’ Viljoen and Anderson used these ‘’outside the box solutions’’ to tackle the school’s long-standing issue of staff inclusion. Viljoen says that they decided to intentionally include all staff members in school activities, and this became the defining moment is his leadership journey with Anderson. ‘’There was this notion that the word staff only referred to the teachers, but everyone from the admin staff to the support staff are all contributing to the upliftment of Lavender Hill High. Including all the staff in activities, and Brett’s continued interaction with them, has made us more cohesive and unified, ‘’ Viljoen mentions. Anderson says that being invited to speak at Lavender Hill High’s valedictory service became the defining moment in his partnership with Viljoen. ‘’I was given the opportunity to speak life into the positive story of hope that is Lavender Hill High. Later I learnt that the matric learners specifically asked that I speak. I was just so humbled to play a significant part in inspiring them and being a voice in that space,’’ says Anderson. Imagine having the opportunity to unlock the potential of a school in your community – just like Brett Fish Anderson and Fuad Viljoen did at Lavender Hill High. Embark on a transformative journey, gain valuable insights and create innovative strategies to overcome challenges in schools, all while honing your ability to lead in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. Citizen Leader Lab runs programmes all over South Africa. The next intake of business leaders and school principals is happening in Cape Town in September 2023. For more information contact hani@citizenleaderlab.org. Let’s work together #TheFutureWeWant

Pimville School Goes to New Heights Under Dynamic Leader

Pimville School Goes to New Heights Under Dynamic Leader Principal Richard Masemola of Emshukantambo Secondary reveals how developing his leadership skills through Citizen Leader Lab has taken his school to a whole new level. Citizen Leader Lab is an award-winning leadership development organisation that builds leadership capacity in the citizenry of South Africa. It’s 12-month school leadership development programme that pairs principals from schools in under-resourced communities with business leaders from the business sector. Principals receive the support and skills needed to lead change and mobilise communities around their schools, and business leaders develop new leadership skills through exposure to the complex world of the South African public school. Masemola was paired with Kela Makwetla, a Business Support Specialist at Old Mutual. Masemola, who is also the co-founder and executive director of NPO Teach South Africa, says that when he returned to education as the full-time principal of Emshukantambo in 2019, he immediately signed up with Citizen Leader Lab to support his new leadership venture. ‘’When I was at Teach SA, I worked with schools whose principals were on this programme. I’ve always admired Citizen Leader Lab’s work,’ he says. Early into his principalship, he encountered learners dealing with psychosocial issues that perpetuated violence, bullying and vandalism. Many of the learners come from child-headed households and extreme poverty. ‘’This means that our efforts as school leaders are often undermined by the communities we serve,’’ says the principal. With a mission to change this, Masemalo says that creating effective stakeholder engagement became the pair’s primary goal, adding that parents from the surrounding communities have great expectations for their children and the school they attend. ‘’This is why we wanted to create a rapport with the parents and the broader community. We wanted them to see the school as a resource, a centre of excellence. As I speak now, parents and community members regularly volunteer to keep the school clean – and all with no pay,’’ says Masemola. The assured leader believes that his partnership with Makwetla has had a positive influence on Emshukantambo’s educators and learners, who now eagerly contribute to creating a school of excellence built on teamwork. ‘’This culture we have inculcated has helped us maintain a matric grade performance of over 80%. My educators have also pioneered many initiatives. We now have a vibrant learner community that wants to be at school. On Youth Day, our learners held a robust debate on the legacy of the 1976 Soweto uprising and the issues that affect them today. We have sporting activities and a youth management programme,’’ says Masemola. Echoing Masemola’s words, Deputy Principal, Pule Hlahane, praised Citizen Leader Lab for essentially empowering the whole school, from the principal right down to the School Management Team and educators. ‘’Mr Masemola empowered us by cascading the knowledge and skills he learnt. This really helped all of us assess where our school was at,’’ says Hlahane. Through Citizen Leader Lab’s unique leadership development opportunity, you, a Business Leader, can work with a principal to address the school’s unique challenges together. Not only will you be making a difference in the school’s community, you’ll also experience new ways of leading, build your network and gain a unique perspective on the challenges facing under-resourced schools. Citizen Leader lab is launching several groups of school principal-business leader partnerships over the coming months. To be a part of this award-winning programme, contact Audrey@Citizenleaderlab.org. www.citizenleaderlab.org

KZN school mobilises community to replace dangerous pit latrines

KZN school mobilises community to replace dangerous pit latrines In 2014, five-year-old Michael Komape fell into a pit latrine and drowned at Mahlodumela Primary in Limpopo. Three years later, Siyamthanda Mtunu died after the walls of a pit toilet collapsed on him at Dalasile Primary School in the Eastern Cape. Tragedy struck again when in 2018, another five-year old, Lumka Mketwa, fell into a pit latrine at Luna Primary in the Eastern Cape. While these incidents shocked the nation, the eradication of pit latrines in South Africa’s most-under resourced schools is still a challenge. These antiquated sanitation systems continue to pose a risk to children who may fall into them or be exposed to dangerous gases. Since the school’s establishment, learners at Sogidi Primary, a rural school near Tongaat on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, have risked their lives by having to use hazardous pit latrines. In a push for change, Nokuthula Sibisi, the Principal of Sogidi Primary, and Mark Fraser-Grant, an Executive Coach and Business and Leadership Development Specialist, worked together to restore the dignity and safety of Sogidi’s 200 learners, by enlisting the support of the community to build modern ablution facilities. Sibisi was a participant on Citizen Leader Lab’s flagship leadership development programme, Partners for Possibility and Fraser-Grant was the coach guiding Sibisi on this programme. The award-winning programme supports principals so that they gain the skills needed to confidently lead change in, and mobilise communities around, their schools. Fraser-Grant says that Sibisi had always had a vision to eradicate Sogidi’s pit latrines. First, they researched companies and donors who could realise this vision. ‘’We settled on Innovation Methology, an NGO led by Pradeep Boodoo, that builds and renovates schools, health care and community facilities,’’ says Fraser-Grant. As part of their efforts to empower the communities around Sogidi, Fraser-Grant, Sibisi and Boodoo enrolled locals to carry out the basic construction work under the supervision of experienced construction engineers. Fraser-Grant mentions that this very much in line with the way Innovation Methology works, where the school becomes a partner in their own project by committing to provide water, security and accommodation for the builder’s team. Builders, who are small, medium and micro-enterprises, are contracted to each project, and members of the community are employed for the project’s duration.   No project can be successful without funding. Fraser-Grant explains that the Victor Daitz Foundation came on board when they learnt that Sogidi was part of the Citizen Leader Lab network. ‘’The foundation wanted to support Principal Sibisi because they knew her heart was in the right place. They knew that by doing Citizen Leader Lab’s Partners for Possibility programme, she has had exposure to leadership, and they were impressed by how well she took care of her school,’’ says Fraser-Grant. Sibisi believes that the leadership skills she gained on the Partners for Possibility programme were instrumental in attracting the funds and services to commence the project. ‘’The workshops really helped me strategise to involve stakeholders and companies in this project. With my new skills and Mark Fraser-Grant’s help, I wrote many proposals explaining the situation at my school, highlighting that the Grade R latrines were soon going to collapse.’’ Although construction will only be completed in May 2023, Sibisi says that the project is already generating excitement among her learners and staff. ‘’The school’s morale is changing. The learners are eager to come to school. Everyone’s self-esteem, dignity and motivation are up’’. The community surrounding Sogidi has also become invested in making the project a success. ‘’Our community members are not only helping to build the new facilities, but they are also protecting the school from theft and damage. The relationship between Sogidi and the community is really improving,’’ says Sibisi. You too can make a difference on KZN’s North Coast, by joining Citizen Leader Lab’s Partners for Possibility programme. Team up with a school principal to address unique challenges, develop leadership skills and gain valuable insights. Contact jeanne@citizenleaderlab.org or visit www.citizenleaderlab.org to learn more. Let’s work together to create #TheFutureWeWant!

Transforming a KwaMashu School: Part Two

Transforming a KwaMashu School: Part Two It is well-recognised that the key differentiator between successful and unsuccessful schools is the strength of the leadership of the school principal. So, when the opportunity arose to participate in Citizen Leader Lab’s award-winning Partners for Possibility leadership development programme, Principal Nkosinathi Ngubane of Bonisanani Senior in Ntuzuma, KwaMashu seized the opportunity. He teamed up with Taegen Devar, an Industrial and Organisational Psychologist by trade and Managing Director of PeopleSmart Consulting. During their year together, Ngubane received the support and skills to lead change and mobilise communities around his school. In turn, Devar was able to develop new leadership skills through exposure to a school facing a plethora of challenges, including a lack of funding and infrastructure and low teacher and learner morale. Focusing on Ngubane’s leadership ability was a key step in transforming the KwaMashu school into an institution where quality teaching and learning can take place. Ngubane credits the Partners for Possibility programme for instilling in him the importance of competent management, mentioning that it is not feasible for public schools to rely solely on the Department of Education for funding. Adopting a ‘’business mindset’’, he believes, ensures schools overcome funding obstacles and operate more efficiently. ‘’Yes, we are a no-fee paying school, but we now run Bonisanani like a business. We are starting to attract resources that other township schools don’t have. This is because we have established networks with more resourced schools nearby. This is how our library was furnished with tables and other equipment. We also wrote sponsorship proposals to paint companies to beautify the library. All of these activities were successful, and Taegen really helped,’’ says Ngubane. Proving that listening is indeed the first step to leading, Ngubane says that taking the time to evaluate how well he listened to his staff has made a world of a difference. The principal concedes that before participating on the Partners for Possibility programme, he did not really listen to or consider his staff’s ideas. ‘’I now make it a point to really hear my staff. At meetings, they have the opportunity to give input on every agenda point. I listen to advise, to give direction and assist. After all, principals are the servants of their subordinates,’’ says Ngubane. He adds: ‘’Even my family says that we now have a father who listens to us!’’ While Bonisanani has made great strides in the space of just one year, Ngubane is eager to take the school ‘’to the next level’’. Emphasising that sustainable change is a long-term commitment, he is confident that it can be achieved. ‘’A lot more work still needs to be done. We can get there if we work together, and with the support of the staff, parents, the community at large, Department officials and of course, Taegen. We will achieve our goals,’’ says Ngubane. Coming soon! Part Three of Transforming a KwaMashu School Missed Part One? Read it here: https://www.pfp4sa.org/blog/transforming-a-kwamashu-school-part-one/ Let’s work together to create #TheFutureWeWant Email: info@CitizenLeaderLab.org

Transforming a KwaMashu School: Part One

Transforming a KwaMashu School: Part One In a country in which a lack of quality education for all learners and our status as the world’s most unequal society intersect, business leaders are teaming up with school principals of under resourced public schools to impact the system and create change. Taegan Devar, an Industrial and Organisational Psychologist and the Managing Director of Durban-based consulting firm PeopleSmart, dedicated her time and leadership expertise towards making quality education a reality for learners at Bonisanani Senior Primary School in Ntuzuma, KwaMashu. She paired up with the principal of Bonisanani Senior, Nkosinathi Ngubane, on the Partners for Possibility programme. Developed by Citizen Leader Lab, the programme pairs school principals with business leaders in a 12-month leadership programme. Through these partnerships, principals gain the skills needed to confidently lead change in their schools, while business leaders hone their own leadership skills within a complex and challenging school environment. Bonisanani is a no-fee paying school located in an area known as ‘’the most unsafe area in Durban’’, KwaMashu township. Known for notoriously high murder rates, KwaMashu has been a hotspot for political violence and crime since the early 1990s. These social problems spill over into Bonisanini. Historically, the school has experienced a lack of parental involvement and low teacher and learner morale. This stems from the increasing number of KwaMashu families living in poverty, the negative effects of violence on the young psyche and a lack of positive role models. Bonisanani also faces a lack of adequate school infrastructure, and the school struggles to implement fundraising activities to supplement the funding received from the Government. Determined to overcome these challenges, Ngubane and Devar made devising and articulating Bonisanani’s vision their first priority towards improving the school. According to Ngubane, the pair’s first objective was to create a vision of Bonisanani as a ‘’Model-C school in the township, run efficiently – like a business.’’ Ngubane said: ‘’Our new vision gives our school the direction to grow for the next ten years. Having everyone contribute to the vision creates a sense of ownership. All the staff and the parents welcomed it.’’ Emphasising the shared dream of creating a well-resourced, prominent township school, Ngubane believes that schools in suburbs are successful due to factors beyond funding. ‘’These schools are not just about money. They have dedicated stakeholders and parents are available for their children. It’s not magic. Township schools can also achieve this through the right partnerships,’’ says Ngubane. Devar expressed her pride at how Ngubane facilitated the creation of the school’s vision in a constructive and respectful way: ‘’I haven’t met a group of people, especially in a school setting, who have come up with such a powerful vision. Nkosinathi facilitated this in an inclusive and intentional manner, where all the voices were heard,’’ says Devar. She added: ‘’My partner thinks big, and his dream to be the best school for his learners is inspiring.’’ Keep your eyes peeled for Part Two of Transforming a KwaMashu School Let’s work together to create #TheFutureWeWant! Email: info@citizenleaderlab.org

Thabong school recognised at Free State district education awards

Thabong school recognised at Free State district education awards Principal of Nanabolela Secondary goes above and beyond to ensure learners’ success Nanabolela Secondary’s Class of 2022 was recognised for their outstanding matric results by the Free State Department of Education in February. Sibi Mokhothu, Principal of Nanabolela Secondary, is currently a participant on the Partners for Possibility leadership development programme powered by Citizen Leader Lab. Mokhothu is partnered with the Managing Director of Thabong Bakery, Annah Lelimo. The award-winning 12-month programme pairs principals from schools in under-resourced communities with business leaders from the corporate sector. Principals receive the support and skills to lead change and mobilise communities around their schools. At an annually held ceremony known as a Well Done Function, Nanabolela Secondary was recognised for achieving a 99.18% pass rate in the 2022 Senior Certificate Examination in the Lejweleputswa District. Among the function’s attendees was the late Free State MEC for education, Tate Makgoe. Mokhothu accepted the award on behalf of the school. Speaking to Citizen Leader Lab, the principal said: ‘’From 2018 to 2021 we have maintained a pass rate of over 90%. We were so close to [achieving] a 100% this time.’’ Nanabolelo is classified as a Quintile 2, no-fee school in the township of Thabong, Welkom and provides an education to 1,300 learners. Achieving consistently high matric pass rates has been no easy feat. Mokhothu said that his school’s most pressing challenge is keeping his learners safe from danger and neglect. ‘’We have a high number of child-headed households and a high level of parental neglect. Many of our learners live in dangerous informal settlements, without access to basic services like water and electricity. We take these learners in, allowing them to sleep at the school, so that they are at least able to study. But this has financial implications. We have to use money budgeted for other activities just to keep our learners safe,’’ Mokhothu explained. ‘’Infrastructure wise, we really like to build a hall at the school so that the learners can write their exams. We would also love to hold assembly meetings without having to battle the wind, rain and cold,’’ he added. Undeterred, Nanabolela Secondary continues to cement itself as the heart of its community under Mokhuthu’s leadership. The principal says that the Partner for Possibility programme is helping him to do this by ‘’refining his management skills’’ and ‘’inspiring him to broaden his reading on and understanding of leadership’’. *LPF: An accredited coach who facilitates and guides partnerships on the Partners for Possibility programme You can, too, can partner with a principal to create #TheFutureWeWant! Email info@citizenleaderlab.org to found out more

Komala Pillay Named Fellow in NGO Whisperer Global Programme

Komala Pillay Named Fellow in NGO Whisperer® Global Programme Our CEO, Komala Pillay, has been selected as one of 50 fellows for the 2024 NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme. Offered by The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact, this distinguished six-month virtual leadership programme is renowned for its rigorous training and is dedicated to enhancing the capacities of exceptional leaders and founders of NGOs and social enterprises worldwide, particularly those from low and middle-income countries. Four years ago, Pillay pressed pause on a highly successful career in engineering to join Citizen Leader Lab as the CEO. Her bold move has since motivated our team and the communities that Citizen Leader Lab serves, demonstrating her commitment to driving social change. Pillay’s journey with Citizen Leader Lab began in 2018 as a participant on its renowned leadership development programme, Leaders for Education (at the time Partners for Possibility). This programme partners school principals of under-resourced schools with leaders from other environments. During her participation, Pillay developed an understanding of the critical need for Citizen Leader Lab’s work and a strengthened belief in the importance of strong local leadership and cross-sector collaboration to address the challenges facing South Africa. She continues to champion the pivotal role of quality education in revitalising the economy and promoting social equity, thus empowering individuals to lead purposeful lives. As a fellow, Pillay will benefit from one-on-one online tailored mentorship and leadership coaching, participate in masterclasses led by highly skilled faculty and gain an all-access pass to The NGO Whisperer® Global Summit in 2024. Additionally, she will join The NGO Whisperer® Global Community and alumni network and be featured in The NGO Whisperer® Magazine and Podcast. The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme is made possible through a collaboration between Charles Warria, FLOCONSULT Change Leadership Coaching, Nourishment Vitality, The Human Side and The CPD Group. For more information on Citizen Leader Lab offerings and impact, visit www.citizenleaderlab.org Find out more about The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact here: www.ngowhisperer.com