No opportunity too far or hard to reach for
"Education is key and it's the only way we will succeed as a country. I had a mother who believed in education and who helped me to understand its importance," he added.
MBOMBELA – There is a massive need for quality education and sustainable education programmes for one and all in South Africa with access to the latest technology and learning materials. Penreach has put its heart and soul into achieving and providing for this need for the past 21 years and will look to break new boundaries and broaden horizons under new management.
Andile Ncontsa, the new CEO of Penreach, was appointed in August. He aims to use his business knowledge and passion for education to take the foundation to greater heights.
“I received a very warm welcome from the people at both Penryn and Penreach along with the very hot weather that we find here,” he said.
This former CEO of Old Mutual Foundation, and the current CEO at Litha Communications, wants to build on the existing platform laid by those who have sat in the hot seat before him.
When asked about challenges he will face, he quickly retorts that this should rather be seen as opportunities, lining his positive approach to life.
“Penreach is an educational excellence foundation. This excellence is focused on early-childhood development; teacher development and learner support; and management and leadership development. There has to be a cost-effective educational impact in communities. Our direct beneficieries are schools, rural communities as well as the school management to make sure that it functions,” he said.
“We view ourselves as a guest in education. We must work very closely with the Department of Education to achieve sustainable education. We have the ability to innovate and create new concepts which can then in turn be adopted by government into the curriculum.” Ncontsa views Penreach as an important part of the educational sphere in South Africa, which he calls the golden triangle.
“It consist of the governments, NGOs such as Penreach and civil societies and everyone should support one another.”
One of the developments that Penreach is a part of is the National Education Collaboration Trust Project. “We are one the members of a consortium that includes PricewaterhouseCoopers, Performance Solutions Africa and Class Act.”
lNcontsa grew up in the small rural village of Cala in the Eastern Cape and knew what it was like to live in impoverished conditions. He eventually realised that education was the greatest tool for equality to all, no matter one's background.
“I was a millionaire at the age of 27 and I believe that I have done most things as a businessman in the industry. So I decided it was time to give back to the community, especially in terms of education, as it is one of the main reasons for my success today.
“Education is key and it's the only way we will succeed as a country. I had a mother who believed in education and who helped me to understand its importance,” he added.
“Children in rural areas do not live in the 21st century. They do not have the resources to compete equally against privileged kids of the same age in other parts of the world. This is one of the main reasons why Penreach has focused on the subjects of maths and science as well as the use of computer-assisted learning and technologies to expose children to current developments.
“It's important for them to gain exposure to science and to physically see maths and science at work. Science is all around us.
“We must look at things practically. We want children in rural communities to get in touch with the latest technology and this means training the teachers, providing workshops and making sure everyone is on board to contribute to quality education for one and all.”
