Chairperson and co-founder of the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS), President Cyril Ramaphosa, addressed over 700 industry leaders, dressed in school uniforms and sports attire, at the Foundation’s 13th annual ‘Back to School’ Party on Saturday, 5th October at Wanderers in Johannesburg. The event, sponsored this year by Channel VAS, a leading global FinTech enterprise in mobile technology, is a highly anticipated event on the philanthropic calendar.
Under this year’s theme, “Healthy Schools, Healthy Champions”, the Foundation raised a sum of R6.3 million through pledges, exciting auction prizes and table sales. The funds raised will support the Foundation’s Whole School Development programme in disadvantaged adopted schools. The night began with four learner MC’s from Diepsloot Combined Primary School, led by Anele Mdoda as the Master of Ceremony. The line-up include a keynote address by the Chairperson of the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS), President Cyril Ramaphosa, who applauded the guest for their tremendous support and an auction with exciting prizes lead by ED Rising Uk’s best auctioneer. Entertainment line-up included Siki-Jo-ANN, Buskaid orchestra, the kings Tigers Cheer leaders and Mafikizolo.
For the first time this year, the event incorporated school awards, celebrating schools that have improved and sustained good results. These schools are producing at least 50% and more of learners eligible for university entrance. Amongst the winners was Ms Patricia Kamusoko, a physical science educator at Eketsang Secondary School. She was honoured with the best Physical Science Educator award for achieving a 100% pass rate of her 2018 classes, with over 60% of learners achieving bachelor passes.
President Ramaphosa applauded guests for their commitment to improving education in the country.
“The cycle of poverty must be broken,” he said, “and it can be broken through education”. “Through education we can start to reduce inequality, gender-based violence, crime, substance abuse and the social ills that affect our country. We thank all our supporters for their commitment to improve the quality of education of South Africa,” he said President Ramaphosa also thanked Channel VAS for sponsoring the event this year. “Through this sponsorship we are able to ensure that all of the funds raised on the night go directly towards improving teaching and learning environments in disadvantaged schools,” he said.
