SITFE Projects

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

SITFE supports a wide range of programmes ranging from the school support; study assistance; in-whole school support; early childhood development; and education centre development programmes. These programmes are implemented in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning, educators and communities within the sugarcane growing communities.

CURRENT PROGRAMMES

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Do More Foundation

This partnership enables DO MORE FOUNDATION to continue its ECD work in the poor communities of Nkomazi (Mpumalanga) and uPhongolo (Kwa-Zulu Natal). These two areas are Sugar production strong-holds that host existing projects that the DO MORE FOUNDATION currently run – collaborating with established and committed Partners.

uPhongolo

10 ECD centres have been enriched with infrastructure upgrades in the form of 5250lt JoJo tanks that have been donated. Funding has been used towards installation of the tanks at the 10 centres. This allows for access to drinkable water that the children can use while at school. Wooden Toys were also distributed to 35 ECD Centres

Nkomazi

NQF Level 4 Training for 12 practitioners for an 18-month duration as well as Skills training for 30 practitioners – duration of 12 months. Both trainings are SETA accredited. The training has/will be focused on ECD programs in the LNYCB expansion areas covering 8 wards. Ntataise Lowveld is the Early Learning partner based in Nkomazi.

Focus on iThemba

The SITFE collaboration with Focus on iThemba supports the NQF Level 4 ECD Courses, Skills Development training for principal and teachers and Infrastructure reform. The courses are a great opportunity for ECD teachers to attend, as the Department of Basic Education is putting more pressure on ECD Centres to have teachers with a NQF Level 4 and NQF Level 5 ECD qualification.

Various other courses including Business Management, first aid, Fire Fighting and parent workshops are conducted for the development of principals and teachers.

Focus on iThemba is successfully building transformation projects , and to date has facilitated four projects, three of which used recycled shipping containers which have been converted into classrooms, office, toilet, kitchen and storage.

HISTORIC PROGRAMMES

To view the various programmes please click on the tabs on the left.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The Unlimited Child Project

TREE Project

Early Childhood Development

During 2017-2020, SITFE partnered with the Unlimited Child Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme to support 96 ECD’s Centres – 32 per annum through Capacity Building of 192 Practitioners (64 per annum), foundational knowledge of early childhood education and solid understanding on practical implementation of the learning programme including manuals providing structured curricular to be implemented over school calendar year. Each of 96 ECD centres received a comprehensive educational resource kit linked to lessons and activities within curriculum.

Playgroup programme

During 2010 -2015, SITFE partnered with an integrated ECD programme in Pongola rural areas. This programme comprised of three sub-programmes – the Playgroup programme which reached children that were not able to access an ECD site, the ECD Site Management programme which focused on developing the skills of rural ECD site managers who were mostly elderly women, and the Advocacy programme which supported interactions among ECD stakeholders, including civil society, government and business, to address bottlenecks in delivering quality ECD to all children.

SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

PROTEC Project

KZN Science Centre Project

Engineering Stepping Initiative (ESI)

The Midlands Community College (MST Recovery) Project

Educational Support

During 2012-2020, SITFE worked with PROTEC Tongaat, a non-profit organisation that specialises in maths, science and technology education for grade 10 to grade 12 learners. PROTEC provides educational support to learners from socially and academically disadvantaged backgrounds in the form of maths and science lessons, career days, technology and International Computer Driving Learners licence (ICDL) computer workshops. The project implemented a learner excellence programme to 24 learners which involves, Saturday school classes (tuition in math, physics, English and world of work), Vacation School workshops, Technical Workshops which involve the practical application of math and science, Participation in school projects such as Math Olympiad, SAICE bridge building and Work Exposure Initiatives such as site visits, career days, job shadowing. PROTEC also implemented a Grade 9 Intervention Programme to 40 learners through Saturday School classes (tuition in English and math). Further facilitated 30 learners to obtain an internationally recognised computing certificate each (ICDL).

Keeping Girls in School

During 2017-2020, KZN Science centre: Keeping Girls in School project, provided career engagement and learning to 3000 female learners per year, over three years, in the sugar cane produced districts; Ugu, Harry Gwala, and UMkhanyakude on career subject choices and awareness. The project provided Grade 9 female learners to make sound choices regarding their careers, by encouraging female learners to choose careers in fields that were once dubbed male-only careers

Exam preparation project

During 2012-2015, SITFE partnered with the Engineering Stepping Initiative (ESI) programme implemented by Tshwane University of Technology, in the Mpumalanga province. The ESI is Tshwane University of Technology’s key programme, which stems from a need identified by the institution to improve the poor pass rate of Grade 12 learners, particularly in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The intense 9 month programme aimed to prepare the learners to re-write the Department of Education’s exams to enable these learners to realise their potential to enter higher education.

During 2021-2015, SITFE collaborated with Midlands Community College towards a post-matric programme in KwaZulu-Natal. The Midlands Community College has been implementing the Maths, Science, and Technology Recovery (MST Recovery) project since 1999 to assist learners from disadvantaged schools to improve their results and to assist these learners to re-write the Department of Education’s exam to gain entry to tertiary education. This residential programme accommodated 60 learners annually and is based in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal.

IN-WHOLE SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education

(CASME) Project

The Midlands Community College

(MST Recovery) Project

During 2012-2015, The SITFE Strategic Plan was to prioritize the improvement of teacher capacity and practice and increase access to high-quality learning materials. SITFE committed resources to projects that provided teacher and learner support to improve content knowledge and pedagogy. SITFE supported the centre to implement a range of interventions to build the capacity of educators. The programmes targeted teachers from ten rural schools within the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. The aim of this programme was to improve both subject content knowledge and teaching methods of teachers in maths and science.

During 2012-2015, SITFE supported the Midlands Community College to implement the Maths, Science and English Integrated intervention programme. The programme targeted grade 11 and grade 12 learners from ten rural schools and aimed to provide additional educational support to the disadvantaged learners. The learner support programme compliments the CASME teacher development programme, and this two way intervention intends to maximise the impact on the learners in the Midlands area.

EDUCATION CENTRE PROGRAMME

Izingolweni Education Centre Project

Pongola Education Centre Project

During, 2017-2019, SITFE partnered with Illovo Sugar and the Department of Education to implement the Izingolweni Education Centre Science Laboratory. The partnership was initiated to support the acquisition of science laboratory equipment based on needs. The collaboration enabled the laboratory to be developed into a fully-fledged science and maths support centre for all the local schools in the area.

During 2012 -2015, SITFE, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and MIET Africa collaborated on a programme to establish an education centre in the Pongola area. The SITFE partnership assisted the education centre through:

Providing opportunities to learners taking science in the FET phase to gain experience in the practical components of the science curriculum
Contributing to the enhancement of science and maths content knowledge and teaching skills of teachers teaching science and maths in secondary schools
Improving access to science resources for teachers and learners by equipping the science laboratory at the education centres
Equipping the science laboratory

KIKI MZONELI

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

My professional life centers around the farming of sugarcane. The extension of my farming involvement is being in the sugarcane industry as a board member and a Vice-chairperson of the South African Canegrowers Association. But also I am involved in the leadership of communities in agriculture.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I see this as an opportunity to add value in the lives of others, I see this as an opportunity to transform the lives of the less fortunate.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

Since August 2021

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

My involvement in the SIFTE is to live a legacy that blends education with right values, so that SIFTE produces graduates that can identify with communities that raised them and importantly acknowledge SIFTE as an organization that gave them a platform to be what they have become. This would give rise to am idea of empowering citizens that go on to become responsible citizens.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

SIFTE has taken a role in impacting lives through educational opportunities for young people.

ROBBYN RICHARDS

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

An admitted attorney, Commercial mediator and strategist who has worked in multi stakeholder environments internationally, public and private sector. A leader and a explorer at heart with a passion for humanitarian work. Currently the Vice Chairperson of the South African Sugar Millers Association as well as a Board member of the Sugar Milling Research Institute, I hold an LLB and I am an attorney.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

Coming from humble beginnings I wanted to be a part of this legacy trust that provides much needed assistance to all that may need it, so that our youth can be empowered with not just with education but with opportunity .

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

2 years

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Transformation, to become more visible into the 4IR world with a firm foundation for the future, to ensure the longevity of this Trust.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

Essentially, education is the door to opportunity and any organisation that can assist in providing this will always be an asset to society.

LINDIWE “LEE” HLUBI

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I am a farmer, not by profession but may be by default. Armed with a degree in Business Administration (BBA), it just made sense to apply an acquired skill of business administrating and management which I started in 2007 when I acquired a farm through Land Reform by the then, Land Affairs dept.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I was nominated and honored by SAFDA, to represent our grower association in taking up a Trustee position in the Industry Bursary structure known as Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education. This attracted me since it presented a situation where we ensure that school leavers are given an opportunity of studying further to pursue their careers and not be deterred by an unfavorable financial situation at home…

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I have been a Trustee since 2018 and I’m enjoying the enlightenment and exchange of ideas of where we are headed.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

I would have done justice to the course to see an increase in the number of previously disadvantaged girl children starting and finishing their studies with a reduced number of drop outs.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

SITFE provides an alternative to government education schemes, which sometimes leave behind the most deserving children especially within the industry. We re more intimate with most communities, and not all situations that are in desperate need to further their studies and cannot afford sometimes are not even aware of such tools to enable their desires.

NKONZO MHLONGO

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I’m currently working as Corporate Affairs Executive for Tongaat Hulett and have a long history in socio-economic development.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I’m passionate about education and training; rural development and making meaningful contributions to the lives of the youth.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I think, since 2012/13.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

I hope that during my tenure, deserving youth from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are awarded SITFE bursaries. It is my belief that the youth is our future and that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking their fullest potential. I also hope that during my tenure, SITFE would continue to invest in the lives of young children between the age of 0-5 years. Meaningful investment at this age can mean the difference between a successful future and one characterized by struggle. This is a time when the foundation for optimum health and growth are established in a child’s life. Through SITFE’s partnership with ECD organisations, we would be able to change the trajectory of every child we have supported for the better.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

The role of SITFE is to partner with society in making a meaningful change in the sphere of education and training. The other role of SITFE is to create an enabling environment and extending the benefits of development to the most vulnerable members of our society particularly children and the youth.

PEACEFUL NDLOVU

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I'm a sugarcane farmer that started in 2012 after inheriting 95Ha of land from my father. In 2014 I registered a company called Elamaswazi Projects that has two divisions. A logistics division has 154 000 tons that delivers to three mills, ( Maidstone Mill, Gledhow Mill and Amathikhulu Mill.) and a farming division of 83 955 tons which consists of 1680Ha. We strive ourselves as the youngest Land reform and black commercial grower in the sugarcane industry which has presented exceptional growth over the past 10 years. We have won a couple of awards as a business. In 2014 we were awarded the youngest land reform position in the sugar industry through the DTI. In 2021 we came second in the Standard Bank Business Awards at the National level. These milestones have taught us to do better and grow our business to be bolder and better.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I entered this industry at the age of 19 years and today I am 30 years of age so I am very vocal about youth in agriculture. The responsibility came from a drive to push students in our farming communities to further their studies into professions because of the financial position our people find themselves in. Our farm workers' children are at a very disadvantage due to the lack of finance to further their studies.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

6 years. Since 2018.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Would really like to see our students that excel in our rural areas where we grow sugarcane be given an opportunity to enter and further their studies in the tertiary/university or Technikon. This would really impact the communities we farm in. to uplift the youth and give them an opportunity in obtaining their qualification and career.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

SITFE has a great role and impact in society because they have demonstrated the bridging the gap of assisting and allowing students an opportunity after matric to further their studies. The exitance of SITFE and the bursary scheme is critical for children in our farming communities to know that through this bursary you can better yourself.to a profession career that others can make reference too that there is hope for a disadvantaged student.

STELLA MTHEMBU

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I have over 20 years’ work experience, with keen interest in private public partnerships for sustainable agriculture and land reform. My motto in life is “It is never wrong to do the right thing”.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

My passion for making a difference in people’s lives.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I have been a SITFE Trustee since 2023.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

To make a lasting impact in the lives of previously disadvantaged people through education and early childhood development. The two areas have direct impact on our country’ growth, development, and the future, and of course the Sustainable Development Goals.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

To empower people through future fit education and training.

Dieter Ludge

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I’m a farmer that farms in the Zinkwazi area with Sugarcane and Macadamia. I also sit on the board of Directors for SA Canegrowers.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

Before I became a Farmer I was a teacher, I have an absolute passion for education and therefore I am very fortunate to serve as a trustee for Site.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I have been a SITFE Trustee 4/5 years.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Try to make sure we can create as many leaders for tomorrow through our SITFE program.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

I believe SITFE creates huge opportunities for people to further their lives. From young and old and my hope is that whoever has been assisted by the SITFE program will also pay it forward one day.