Citizen Leader Lab, a Leadership Development and support Public Benefit Organisation, celebrated the successful completion of its second Leaders for Education cohort in Secunda this July.
By pairing public school principals with private sector business leaders, the Leaders for Education programme is designed to improve the confidence, competence and leadership skills of participating principals. Participating business leaders are able build their leadership skills and gain insights through involvement in the unfamiliar complexity of a public school. The year-long programme was initially set to be facilitated by the late Bongi Ndimande, an accredited Executive Coach. After Ndimande’s passing in 2023, Coach and Consultant, Anita Moerman van Blankenburg stepped in to facilitate the programme, ensuring its continued success and impact.
School principals share their achievements
The event featured heartfelt testimonials, showcasing the programme’s positive influence on both participants and their respective schools, businesses and communities.
Priscilla Masombuka, Principal of Allan Makhunga Primary, was able to not only develop her leadership skills during her participation, but also applied these skills to bring hope to a learner during a difficult time.
‘’The negotiation skills I gained proved to be very helpful. In May this year, a learner’s home was burnt down. Because I was able to effectively engage with the taxi association in my area, they are now about to build a five-roomed, furnished house for this learner and their family,’’ Masombuka said.
The principal of Sizwakele Secondary, Sefako Moemisi, emphasised the importance of being a team player.
‘’I no longer ‘hold’ meetings with my School Management Team and staff. They have been empowered to lead meetings because I have been empowered to delegate effectively,’’ Moemisi said.
Moemisi added that the Leaders for Education programme has given him the skills to communicate with the school’s stakeholders to build the school’s infrastructure and empower the surrounding community.
‘’The parents have since come together to help establish a computer centre at the school. We are uplifting our parents with small businesses by teaching them how to use the internet and social media to market their businesses,’’ Moemisi explained.
In praise of the Leaders for Education programme, Nkosinathi Ntshalintshali, the principal of Muzimuhle Primary, spoke about the programme’s application in real-world settings.
‘’I have learnt how to deal with the school’s challenges in a practical manner. For instance, the school has always had a challenge with flooding when it rains heavily. Through the partnership with my business leader, we have been able to pave the areas prone to flooding,’’ Ntshalintshali said.
Business leaders reach their potential
Bivocational Priest, Simon Zamisa, believes that the programme placed ‘’a demand’’ on his ‘’potential’’.
‘’My time with Citizen Leader Lab has proved that in order to add value to our communities, we do not need large sums of money. We have proved, as a group of school principal and business leader partnerships, that we can consolidate wishes into action,’’ said Zamisa.
Business Improvement Concept Developer at BELVIC Services, Makhekhe Mokoena, has learnt that the key to delegation is ‘’empowering your team and trusting their skills’’.
‘’All this, I believe, has bolstered my ability to facilitate tasks and bigger projects at work,’’ Mokoena said.
Director of MOCO Steel Secunda, Tasneem Edross-Gamieldien, appreciated the opportunity to be part of a learning network of school principals and business leaders.
‘’Over the year, we shared our victories and loses in our personal and professional lives. This is a testament to the authenticity of the connections we have formed.
Platforms like Citizen Leader Lab are so important, because it is so easy to get lost in the mechanics of own lives. This is how we can all come together to make a change – if not for us, for future generations,’’ Edross-Gamieldien said.
The Future of Secunda
Citizen Leader Lab’s Regional Manager for Secunda, Audrey Jones, expressed her excitement for the future expansion of the Leaders for Education programme in the region.
‘’Going into 2025, Citizen Leader Lab remains committed to supporting and expanding the Leaders for Education Programme, with the goal of empowering more leaders and creating lasting change in Secunda. To achieve this, we need the support of funders and partners. This support is crucial in helping us continue to provide these valuable opportunities for growth and development in Secunda,” Jones emphasised.
About Citizen Leader Lab
Citizen Leader Lab, a leadership development and support Public Benefit Organisation, is dedicated to creating resilient leaders in both the public and private sectors. Our vision is Leadership that builds a better future for all.
We offer a variety of programmes and workshops that work towards large-scale social change in South Africa, that empower individuals to be effective leaders and change agents in their communities. With over 14 years of experience, we continue to grow our presence in the education sector and extend our influence into critical public sectors, promoting cross-sector collaboration, active citizenship and social cohesion.
A game changer indeed. Well done Citizens leadership lab for giving us the opportunity to grow in our leadership and equipping us with such valuable skills. Keep up the good work 🙌