RedCap Foundation, KwaDukuza team up to help kids

Keeping in line with the RedCap Foundation's mission to inspire tomorrow's heroes and tackle national challenges in education, health and unemployment, the RedCap Foundation has partnered the KwaDukuza Municipality to make a positive difference in the lives of young South Africans in the KwaDukuza region.

"The Mr Price Pro Ballito couldn't be a better place to share the RedCap Foundation's commitment to the people of KwaDukuza," said Natasja Ambrosio, director of the RedCap Foundation. "We have a dream to educate and empower our future generation to be inspired, healthy, engaged and responsible citizens, capable of bringing about much-needed social change and building a positive society."

In KwaDukuza, this vision is fast becoming a reality, courtesy of the RedCap Schools Project, which was launched in 2010 at five KwaDukuza schools: Aldinville Primary, Zilungisele Primary, St Christopher Primary, Kearsney Primary and Nyakana Combined Primary school.

To inspire a different way of thinking

"Education is a key focus of the foundation. Our objective is to inspire a different way of thinking and implementation in schools. The foundation identifies gap areas where it can innovate and show different ways of addressing challenges, such as a lack of resources and the need for ongoing teacher training and managerial skills. The RedCap Schools Project aims to transform these five primary schools by building a culture of excellence with the goal of improving the performance of learners," she explained.

Ongoing projects - implemented with the support of the KwaDukuza municipality and in partnership with the Department of Education - include the YoungHeroes programme, which aims to assist teachers in their implementation of physical education and inculcating a love of sport into the schools. The Iciko (meaning talent) project ensures that art, drama and dance are no longer the preserve of wealthier schools. To help improve the quality of life for youngsters growing up in this area, the RedCap Foundation also set up and supports the Mr Price KwaDukuza High Schools Soccer League, which has 17 schools benefitting from their participation in an eight-month league where learners learn the benefits of teamwork, discipline, dedication, perseverance and many other life skills learnt through participation in sport.

RedCap and KwaDukuza have also implemented Jumpstart, a programme that sets out to address the lack of experiential training and skills needed in business, which affect's young people's chances of accessing employment.

At this year's Mr Price Pro Ballito the RedCap Foundation will be increasing its visibility at the event with numerous activations creating further awareness for the foundation's initiatives. Apart from the foundation's display cabin in the festival area there will be beach football and netball tournaments, Iciko art and dance displays and even top SA surfer Steven Sawyer surfing as an ambassador for the foundation in South Africa's only international surfing event.

For further info, go to www.redcapfoundation.org.