Discover how the Kagiso Trust training programme empowers youth, educators, and entrepreneurs in through sustainable skills development.
Introduction: More Than Just Training
In South Africa’s complex social and economic landscape, skills development is often the bridge between potential and opportunity. The Kagiso Trust training programme stands out not just for what is taught—but for why and how. It operates on the belief that investing in people delivers the most enduring change. This article explores why this approach matters—and how it contributes to long-term social impact.
1. A Legacy of Purpose: Four Decades of Experience
Founded in 1985, Kagiso Trust recently marked its 40th anniversary under the bold banner “Igniting Human Capacity.” Behind the slogan lies a four‑decade legacy of empowering individuals and communities through education, skills training, and economic inclusion.
During this journey, Kagiso Trust has improved over 500 rural and township schools, launched flagship education models, and supported countless entrepreneurs and learners. Its programmes are built to last—and designed to scale.
2. A Sustainable Funding Model
Unlike many NGOs, Kagiso Trust doesn’t depend on ad-hoc donations. Instead, it runs like a development fund, leveraging its investment portfolio—including Kagiso Capital and Kagiso Tiso Holdings—to generate the resources needed for its programmes. With an estimated asset base of R10 billion, it uses returns to sustainably fund education and training initiatives without compromising impact.
3. Proven Impact in Education
One of the signature offerings is the Beyers Naudé School Development Programme (BNSDP), which transformed underperforming rural schools in Free State and now expands into Limpopo. Results speak volumes: many participating schools have achieved matric pass rates above 90%, outperforming national averages by wide margins.
The programme combines infrastructure upgrades, teacher mentoring, and curriculum support. Over time, it becomes a self-sustaining model—schools maintain higher standards even after Kagiso Trust ends direct involvement.
4. Skills Development and Internships
Through its Youth Development Framework, Kagiso Trust has implemented internship programmes that place unemployed graduates in real-world roles across sectors—education, governance, finance, and development. Each intern is paired with a mentor and receives structured mentorship over 12 months, building genuine marketable experience.
This focus addresses the skills mismatches plaguing youth unemployment, transforming entry‑level candidates into workforce-ready professionals.
5. Commitment to Technical and Vocational Education
Recognising the importance of TVET, Kagiso Trust plays an active role in shaping vocational training. At its Technical Educators Conference, educators from technical colleges engage with immersive tools—such as virtual reality workshops—aligning classroom learning with local industry needs.
By advancing digital fluency, STEM skills, and entrepreneurship among both learners and educators, the Trust builds a pipeline of skilled artisans and technicians.
6. Targeting Economic Inclusion and Entrepreneurship
Beyond education, Kagiso Trust empowers black entrepreneurs and emerging farmers through socio‑economic development programmes. By combining training, mentorship, market access, and financial inclusion, it works to transform agriculture and property from subsistence into thriving economic sectors.
These programmes meet two needs simultaneously: building individual capability and addressing broader structural inequality.
7. Building Communities Through Local Governance Support
The Trust’s focus on local governance extends training into municipal leadership. Through tools like the data‑driven K’DOS system, municipal staff learn to manage services, plan better, and involve citizens in decision-making—ensuring that empowerment shapes public systems and service delivery.
This work aligns with the Trust’s broader strategy of bottom‑up, systemic transformation.
8. The Ripple Effect: From Individuals to Communities
When you train a teacher, you reach hundreds of learners. When you mentor an entrepreneur, you empower new businesses and jobs. Kagiso Trust’s model turns individuals into catalysts. The alumni community and scholarship recipients often go on to mentor others, creating multiplying benefits and sustainable networks.
Its focus on high‑impact, scalable models helps translate individual training into collective transformation.
9. A Culture of Accountability, Local Voice, and Continuous Learning
Each programme is rooted in local need and informed by data. Kagiso Trust works with government, academic institutions, and public and private partners to ensure its interventions are aligned with national education reforms. This commitment builds trust, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
10. Why It Matters to You
Whether you’re a prospective trainee, educator, or professional looking to make a difference, engaging with Kagiso Trust programmes offers:
- Quality training aligned with national standards
- Stipends, internships, mentorship that ease barriers to entry
- Access to networks bridging public and private sectors
- APPLICATION PROCESS
- Practical pathways into employment, business, and community leadership
The Trust’s holistic approach—education, internships, entrepreneurship, and governance—is tailored to nurture individuals who can shape their own futures and transform their communities.
Kagiso Trust training programme
Summary: A Strong Foundation for Real Change
| Pillar | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Education (BNSDP) | Raises matric standards; builds sustainable school improvement |
| Youth Internships | Bridges theory and practice; nurtures workplace-ready graduates |
| TVET & Educator Support | Aligns training with industry needs and builds future capacity |
| Entrepreneurship & Economic Inclusion | Helps emerging farmers and developers thrive |
| Local Governance Training | Builds accountability, efficiency, and citizen participation |
| Financial Sustainability | Ensures long-term, independent impact without donor dependency |
Final Thoughts
From its roots in community education to its strategic support for training, entrepreneurship, and governance, the Kagiso Trust training programme matters because it places human potential at the centre of change.
It’s not a temporary solution—it’s a model for sustainable transformation. By empowering individuals, investing in institutions, and partnering with government and industry, Kagiso Trust is lighting the path toward self-reliance, skilled employment, and inclusive growth.
If you’re looking to build skills, launch a career, or contribute to real change in your community, this programme opens doors—and helps you walk through them.
That’s why it matters.
