On Sunday the 8th of January, a group of KMF alumni gathered in Cape Town to catch up with Richard Mason, the KMF team and each other.
We heard not only about their experiences at university, but the exciting community projects they are setting up, the internships they are involved in and their plans for their burgeoning careers.
A very eloquent and glamorous group, the KMF is so proud of how hard these young people have worked to achieve their goals, and what an inspiration they are to current KMF scholars. They will be hosting workshops with KMF scholars soon. Watch this space!
The group chats about an exciting youthsupport
project being set up by two alumni at Varsity College
Reminiscing about being back at school...
Matapelo Kombora and Lazola Sikupela joke with
the group as they describe their after-school youth
project.
Nadine Moodie, one of the founding KMF
scholars and newly appointed KMF SA
Trustee is starting a Masters in Journalism
this year, her 3rd degree.
A lovely group shot of some alumni who are
currently at UCT, Stellenbosch, and Varsity
College
Cameron Cupido, studying Graphic Design at Stellenbosch,
tells Richard about her new job as Production Editor at youth magazine
Live SA
Oprah magazine features Richard Mason and KMF girls
Richard Mason and KMF female scholars and alumnae were featured in the December 2011 Version of the Oprah magazine.
We are so proud of what the KMF scholars have achieved this year. They have not only flourished academically, but thrown themselves into sports, arts, cultural, environmental and entrepreneurial initiatives.
It has been an exciting year of growth and new partnerships for the KMF and the team has worked extremely hard to ensure our structures and programmes run better than ever.
We have got a lot of exciting plans for 2012, and are committed to making sure we maintain our 99% success rate in what we do best: creating opportunities for South Africans through education.
Thank you to our supporters, without whom none of this would be possible.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the whole KMF family.
KMF Head of Development braves Atlantic for KMF Scholars
On the 25th of November, KMF Head of Development attempted a Robben Island Crossing to raise funds for and awareness of the KMF scholars.
Unfortunately she got hauled out of the water by lifeguards 7km in, 500m before the end due to severe hypothermia. She is not defeated, however, and will reattempt the crossing next year!
KMF kids were there to support, and although were worried about Natasha were very proud!
To support Natasha and ensure KMF scholars are equipped for next year at school, click here:
Natasha would like to thank the KMF donors, scholars, staff and friends for their considerable support in this challenge.
End of Year Parent Workshop
On Saturday the 5th of November, KMF parents, guardians and KMF staff convened in Cape Town for an end of year workshop.
We discussed next year's goals and ambitions, ensuring that both the Foundation and families know what to expect of each other, and made sure we are working together effectively to continue to support and empower the KMF scholars.
The KMF staff also outlined the new and improved organisational structure for 2012, as well as introducing new staff member, Guidance Counsellor and Administrator Nandipha Madolo.
Families also shared their highs and lows of the year, and what they are committed to achieving for next year for their children. Everyone left excited and motivated. Thank you KMF families for all your effort in supporting the future leaders of South Africa!
KMF Plant 1000 trees with Greenpop on Heritage Day!
On September 24, South African Heritage Day, the KMF scholars helped Greenpop plant 1000 trees in 17 schools in Manenberg, on the Cape Flats.
The KMF scholars had great fun helping Surrey Primary schoolchildren "green" their schools with indigenous and fruit trees.
Six of the trees were named: "Kay", "Richard", "Nelly", "Natasha", "Akhona" and "Fatima". Thanks scholars!
Catching up before planting begins!
Planting team at Surrey Primary
Siseko Nama, Grade 9, gets stuck in
Team pose by the "Kay" tree
Nelisa Qomiyana, Grade 12 gets handy
with a shovel
Desiree Kubekha, Grade 11, finishes off
the planting process- water!
A group shot of team just before picking
up litter around the school
KMF Motivational Workshop
On Saturday August 27, the KMF team held a Motivational Workshop for KMF and Enrichment scholars.
Motivational speaker, facilitator, HIV/Aids and bereavement counsellor, Nandipha Madolo, told the scholars
her story and started an energetic discussion about challenges, expectations, overcoming fears, peer pressure,
time management and how we operate in our own communities.
Staff addressed KMF business, asked scholars to volunteer any queries or problems as well as their views on the
reasons behind the recent youth riots in London. Blog post to follow!
Nandipha Madolo addresses the room
KMF Scholars with ears pricked up!
Attentive room
Nelly talks KMF Business
KMF Enrichment scholars
Boarding House scholars
Yaseen speaks to the room
KMF Matric students
KMF Team- Fatima Lombard,
Nandipha Madolo and Nelly Tom
Richard Mason on Carte Blanche
If you missed it on Sunday August 7, click here to see KMF Founder and Chairman, Richard Mason, on Carte Blanche introducing the KMF, Project Lulutho and his new novel, History of a Pleasure Seeker:
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
Learners show appreciation to Alacrity and the Kay Mason Foundation
Cape Town, South Africa, 28 June 2011 – For the past 8 years Alacrity has been one of the supporting companies to the Kay Mason Foundation’s scholarship program aimed at high school learners in the Western Cape. The organization provides scholarships for the payment of school fees, boarding fees and extras like uniforms, sports equipment, textbooks, transport and pocket money to high school learners that need it most.
Boasting a 99% pass rate amongst children that are part of the program, the international organization has a well-developed and sustainable program to support the learners that are chosen through an application process each year. Focused on disadvantaged children as a whole, the organization works in association with a network of achieving schools to provide a high level of education and related activities to these talented children that are driven to achieve their goals but who, considering their current circumstances, are unlikely to reach their potential.
“Over the eight years of our involvement, Alacrity has supported 5 learners in total and we’re currently considering another applicant. Two of the students are already attending tertiary institutions and a further 3 are currently completing high school,” comments Teresia Arendse, HR Executive for Alacrity, “We maintain contact with the students that we have helped ‘put through’ high school and recently received letters of thanks from them. Excerpts from these show just how much of an impact our financial and support contribution means and were just too good not to share:"
“I live in a community, which encourages violence, alcohol, crime and teenage pregnancy. Girls do not value themselves, their bodies or anymore. It is not easy being different, and by different I mean: reading novels, taking part in sports at school and abstaining from some social activities. Before I was part of the Kay Mason Foundation, I attended a primary school, which was not very good. [thanks to the KMF] I now attend Camps Bay High School and have been placed in the top of my year several times. Recently, I received an Academic merit, [and] I also got a Merit for an English Olympiad I wrote sponsored by De Beers. At school, I am involved in the choir, Interact, interhouse plays, first team basketball, PR for upcoming events and lots more. When I grow up, I would like to be a financial director for a major company.
Without the Kay Mason Foundation and my kind donors at Alacrity, I would be in the townships, probably with a two-year-old son or daughter, trying to feed them. However, the Foundation and my donors have helped me achieve my goals and be where I am today. They take a constant interest in how I am doing, make sure I have everything I need and have the brightest prospects for the future. Through their help and my school, I have learnt to be confident, competitive, strong and have pride.”
“When I graduate I will actually have two degrees because I am taking a BA LLB meaning which I will have a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in PPA (Public Policy and Administration, African Indigenous Languages Studies and Xhosa as well as a LLB degree… Thank you Teresia and Alacrity for allowing me the opportunity to go to such a prestigious school. I will forever cherish all that I learnt there and use it as a tool to enhance my future.”
“Westerford provided me with a great education, and one that is proving very helpful, I was able to get involved in many activities that are just not available at the poorer schools as well as get good marks in Matric. I was also able to make some great friends, who have also gone on to study and work in interesting areas. Alacrity and the Kay Mason Foundation have given me a boost to reach my goal and thanks to them I am now closer to my dream of working my way out of poverty more than I have ever been.”
“The KMF is extremely efficiently run. Their scrutiny process, ongoing support and post-school mentorship program is the reason for the success they’re showing and we’re extremely proud of what the learners we support have and continue to achieve. Importantly too, the team of people that run the organization are authentic, they know that the impact they’re having extends to more than the over 60 learners that they’ve helped and the many more that will go through their program. We will continue to support their work and are proud to be known as an enabler to the students’ success,” concludes Arendse.
The Kay Mason Foundation was started by well-known author Richard Mason and has Archbishop Desmond Tutu as its patron. More information on the foundation, how to contact them and support their program is available on their website www.kaymasonfoundation.org.
About Alacrity
Alacrity is a privately held and empowered software development company that crafts custom software to fit a specific business and technology domain. Our passionate people provide software development services, software support services and software consulting services to leading South African companies and software entrepreneurs across a broad range of industry sectors. For more information please visit www.alacrity.co.za
Chani Macauley, Marketing Manager - Alacrity
Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or +27 21 525 6700
KMF Career Guidance Workshop
Earlier this year KMF Founder and Chairman, Richard Mason, held a career guidance workshop with the KMF Scholars, talking to them about planning their futures as well as updating them on KMF and Project Lulutho developments.
KMF Partners, Alacrity, a privately held and empowered software development company, also gave their time to talk to the scholars about the software industry and how to decide on a career path.
Richard Mason welcomes Alacrity's Chris Oloff gives insight into the KMF Scholars Vusumzi Gubeni takes the floor
KMF scholars and parents software industry
Teresia Arendse from Alacrity KMF Alumno Tshita Maponopono
gives career guidance to KMF describes his experience at TsiBa, where he is studying
Scholars a degreee in business administration
KMF Alumnae Siyamthemba Kakaza and Onwaba Nkayi share their
experiences with scholars and give advice for the future
Richard and the scholars up their energy levels with some star jumping!
