Hamba Bamba Funda (HBF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for early childhood education in under-resourced communities like Soweto, commemorated Nelson Mandela Day with a special event at the Meadowlands Welfare Centre. Led by Monja Boonzaier, the founding Director of HBF, the event emphasized the importance of active parent-child participation and celebrated Mandela’s birthday and his lifelong fight for human rights.

Nelson Mandela’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of education serves as the guiding principle for HBF. Inspired by his words ” “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can change the world” the organization chose the theme of “active parent-child participation” for the event.

It is disheartening to recognize that in South Africa, early childhood education programs often begin at the age of 3, neglecting the critical first 2 years of a child’s life. However, these initial 1.5 years represent a crucial period for brain development, shaping a child’s future. HBF aims to highlight and address this critical gap.

Over the past year, Hamba Bamba Funda has made significant strides in advocating for early childhood education from birth. In 2022 HBF hosted a live broadcast in Kliptown, Soweto, involving 10 mothers and babies on Nelson Mandela Day. This year, they expanded their reach by hosting another live broadcast and engaging approximately 50 mothers and their babies in Meadowlands. Monja Boonzaier expressed delight, stating, “The progress we have witnessed in our work and the positive response within the communities in such a short time has exceeded all expectations.”

To ensure the event’s success, HBF had the privilege of hosting esteemed experts from international and local organizations virtually. Three international child space trainers, including Dr. Chava Shelhav, the founder of the Child’Space Method, as well as Orly Gat and Barbara Leverone, both Child ‘Space trainers, shared their knowledge and expertise. They were joined by local representatives from the Greater Sowetan Association of ECD (Evelyn Mbombi) and the Heartlines/Father’s Matter program (Fikele Poka). This collaboration highlighted the significance of the cause and the organization’s commitment to making a lasting impact.

The event commenced with a minute of silence, paying tribute to Nelson Mandela and providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on his remarkable legacy and the values he espoused throughout his life.

Monja Boonzaier encouraged everyone to observe the collective action taking place for the next 67 minutes. Educators generously shared their knowledge with community members, while mothers and caregivers actively engaged with their babies, nurturing their growth and unlocking their potential. This demonstration of unity embodied the spirit of Ubuntu, which Mandela exemplified.

HBF extends heartfelt gratitude to the City of Johannesburg for their support in organizing the event and to all the participating mothers and babies. Together, let us honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy by working towards a future where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality early childhood education.

Johannesburg: The pandemic’s impact on education is far from over, said St Martin’s School principal Warren Venter. The deficit, he said, must be liquidated as soon as possible to protect an entire generation from dangerous regression.

In remedy, the school developed personalised ‘catch-up’ curricula for learner sets that were identified as somewhere on the spectrum of an education deficit. Venter said that St Martin’s School has developed compulsory intra and extra mural sessions across all grades to address gaps in education, including addressing learners’ ability to focus and function effectively within a scholastic environment.

“It’s a programme that I feel all schools must adopt to avoid a problem that could recur as each learner progresses to successive grades. It has to be nipped in the butt, because South Africa cannot afford to graduate students with unsuitably developed skills. The knock-on effect on future growth could be dire,” Venter warned.

He listed mathematics and literacy as the two primary deficits.

Recently, South Africans were shocked to learn that Grade 4 learners struggled to read with meaning. But Venter said that the problem stretches through to matriculants, too. He said a direct line can be drawn between much of the country’s reading with meaning challenges and the pandemic, too.

Venter noted three primary reasons for the lag. “While there was no alternative, online learning became the go-to for families. It played a crucial role, but anecdotal evidence suggested that students were struggling to focus. Online learning is usually paired with multi-tasking and attention and focus on subject matter being taught often lacked the intensity required.”

He also listed social media as a thorn in learning’s side. “It proved to be a massive distraction during the pandemic, and it continues to be an attention segue for students today,” he said. It then translated to the classroom, as lockdown restrictions waned, creating challenges in concentration, reading and digestion of learning materials.

It’s been just over a year since South Africa lifted all lockdown restrictions, and Venter said that understanding the enormous impact of the pandemic has only recently started to come to the fore.

St Martin’s School plans to continually assess learners on their catch-up journey. Venter said that while some of the picture has emerged, he expects it to still take some time to fully unfold.

“Intervention is the only way to assess, understand and remedy a situation. Notwithstanding other challenges, the deficit hangover could become one of the biggest crises in education in the history of the country. Addressing it through individualization and group remedy, is the only path ahead,” he said.

New Bridging Workshops Equip Graduates with the Skills Needed to Thrive Professionally

During the month of May, IYF led the first of a series of comprehensive Workplace Readiness Workshops that address behavioral skills in the workplace to capacitate TVET students with the necessary skills to earn a livelihood and grow as engaged citizens.  IYF South Africa’s three key programs all support the belief that success in life is secured by learning skills that will endure.

The High Gear programme is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering South African youth and revolutionizing the country’s technical education system in the automotive and engineering industry. High Gear draws on industry knowledge and skills imperatives—along with IYF curricula enhancement tools—to strengthen the market relevance of select public TVET college courses. Ultimately, High Gear aims to demonstrate a model for greater industry involvement in TVET course design and delivery that generates enthusiasm from TVET educators and industry, while also generating positive returns for young people and employers. The High Gear programme is funded by The UK Government’s Skills for Prosperity Programme, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF).

The Skills for Success programmme funded by Google.org, equips youth in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa with digital skill sets that are in high demand.  This is achieved through enrolling students in the Google Career Certificates and upon completion they will receive an Industry qualification. This program is uniquely positioned to address the IT and digital literacy skills gap globally.

The Skills for Life programme is funded by De Beers Group with the objective of equipping the youth with the skills needed for improved academics, employability, and workforce success with particular focus on the TVET college system.  This objective is achieved through capacitating lecturers and empowering students through the integration of IYF’s flagship work-readiness and life-skills learning program, Passport to Success® (PTS) as well as the Effective Teaching pedagogy, with the current Life Skills and technical TVET curricula.

While students have responded well to the interventions of IYF’s existing programs, IYF, and its partners believe in connecting young people with opportunities to transform their lives. To this end, IYF implemented an agile response to the latest market trends which highlighted the need for youth to receive exposure to training that addresses behavioral skills in the workplace.  IYF introduced a series of workshops to prepare graduates for the working world, and achieve the ultimate objective of economic emancipation, by equipping them with vitally important behavioral skills. The inaugural workshop was implemented with the aim to support students from South West College in Gauteng by sharing valuable knowledge on personal development, employability and entrepreneurial development skills.  Going forward, monthly online workshops will be hosted, each focusing on different elements relating to employability and entrepreneurship. 

Before entering the world of employment or business, jobseekers can often find themselves overwhelmed by the need to differentiate themselves from potential competitors.  The Workplace Readiness Workshop series aims to address these concerns by providing comprehensive guidance on elements such as crafting a compelling CV, tailoring professional and personal experiences to the specifics of each application and mastering interviews with effective communication styles, and preparing for common interview questions.  As we enter the fourth industrial revolution, it is imperative to ensure that our youth can effectively leverage their digital platforms for personal branding, networking, and business growth.

Further to this comprehensive expansion of the basic steps toward employment, the workshops also deliver practical training on financial literacy, budgeting, investing, saving and debt management. By providing the essential skills of financial planning, students will be better equipped for unpredictable job markets, as well as create their personal financial freedom.

IYF’s goal is to equip students with essential behavioral skills that will empower TVET students to thrive in the modern workforce. Students will learn how to create effective resumes and profiles, ensuring that TVET college students showcase their skills, qualifications, and experiences compellingly to increase their chances on successful job searches. Through activities and exercises, students will learn to analyze problems, evaluate information, and make well-reasoned decisions. These skills empower students to become adaptable problem-solvers and valuable contributors in any professional setting.

These workshops are also designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to kick-start their own small businesses and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, supporting them in transforming ideas to successful ventures.  Students will gain fresh perspectives, practical tools, and inspiring insights to embark on a purposeful and fulfilling journey as they enter the world of work.

Today’s jobseekers find themselves in a competitive environment that values emotional maturity, streamlined communication, teamwork and effective problem-solving, no matter what the technical foundation of the job may be. Employers are not merely looking for skillset, they are looking for a well-rounded and informed individual who is able to grow business and efficiency through critical thinking and effective communication between peers and management. This series enhances IYF’s current programmatic deliverables to provide TVET students with an advantage.  The Workplace Readiness Workshops will provide integral, interconnected comprehensive behavioral skills that all work together to enhance employability amongst TVET college students. The inaugural workshop successfully incorporated facilitation and guidance in these key areas.  

IYF aims to cultivate a skilled and innovative workforce that will contribute to South Africa’s economic growth and prosperity. Through interactive workshops, students learn to communicate their unique value proposition, showcase their entrepreneurial ideas, and leave a lasting impression on decision-makers. 

IYF’s goal has always been to close the gap between industry and education through systemic capacitation and learner support. The Workplace Readiness Workshops are an added intervention to facilitate sustainable opportunities for students and graduates, opening doors of opportunity for a brighter and more enterprising future.

By Dr Nivisha Parag (Head of Healthcare Management Studies at Regent Business School)

As healthcare becomes more complex and technology advances, it is crucial that leaders in the industry lead ethically to ensure the best possible outcomes for both patients and providers. This means approaching decisions with a focus on transparency, honesty, and fairness. It also involves considering the impact of decisions on all stakeholders involved, from patients to staff to shareholders. Leaders must uphold strong ethical values and hold themselves accountable for their actions and the actions of their teams.

Ethical leaders distinguish themselves from others through their unwavering dedication to upholding robust moral principles and fostering ethical behaviour in every facet of their leadership. The distinguishing behaviours that set these leaders apart encompass:

1. Integrity: They act ethically, transparently, and truthfully, which earns them trust and credibility from their followers, and aligns their actions with their values.
2. Accountability: Ethical leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions; they do not shy away from admitting mistakes and strive to improve and learn from them.
3. Fairness and Justice: They make decisions based on objective criteria and uphold principles of justice, thus creating an inclusive environment that respects diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all.
4. Empathy and Compassion: Ethical leaders understand and empathise with the needs and concerns of their followers. They actively listen, show genuine care, and consider the well-being of individuals and the broader community. They foster a supportive and inclusive work culture.
5. Ethical Decision-Making: They consider the impact of their choices on various stakeholders, including employees, customers, the community, and the environment; frequently weighing ethical implications, seeking multiple perspectives, and making choices that align with their values.
6. Ethical Role Modelling: They consistently model ethical behaviour and encourage others to follow suit. Mentorship opportunities create platforms for other to see these traits in application in turn resulting in a desire to emulate them.
7. Long-term Orientation: They consider the broader consequences of their actions and decisions, including their impact on future generations, the environment, and society as a whole.
8. Ethical Organizational Culture: Ethical leaders create and nurture an ethical organisational culture by establishing clear ethical standards, providing ethical guidance, and encouraging open communication surrounding ethical issues. This promotes a culture of ethical conduct and empowers employees to make ethically sound decisions.

An integral component of postgraduate studies is the undertaking of research in a desired field or sector pursuing scientific advancement. As leaders are obliged to demonstrate ethical behaviours, so too is research ethics of paramount importance in the field of scientific inquiry and academic research. It provides a set of guidelines and principles that ensure the protection of participants, maintaining the integrity of research findings, and upholding the trustworthiness and credibility of the research process.

In May 2023, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills was invited to deliver a research ethics masterclass series to enrich and enlighten students and the wider Regent Business School community about the importance of research ethics and integrity. The webinar series spanned four weeks, during which she discussed numerous pertinent ethical principles, including the protection of human subjects to prioritise their well-being, rights, and dignity, through principles of informed consent, protection of personal information and rights to refuse participation. The discussions further included integrity and validity of research, professionalism, trust and collaboration, by exploring the research philosophies and codes of conduct and practice that inform ethics in academic research, including the legal and regulatory compliance around research.

The social and cultural sensitivity of research cannot be understated. Ethical research requires consideration of the social, cultural, and contextual factors that may impact participants and the broader community. Examples presented during the masterclasses highlighted the importance of these considerations. Respecting diversity, cultural norms, and local practices are essential to conduct research in a responsible and ethical manner helping prevent exploitation, marginalisation, and biases in research.

With the lightning speed of digital, industrial and societal revolution, ethical research contributes to the development of innovative solutions, advancements in various fields, and the overall betterment of society.

At Regent Business School, we are committed to sound ethical practices in research and overall leadership study, and by upholding ethical standards, our students and future researchers can contribute to the advancement of knowledge while respecting the rights and well-being of all involved.

In the healthcare management realm especially, ethical leaders must strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others while upholding ethical principles. They inspire trust, foster a sense of purpose, and create environments where individuals can thrive and contribute to the greater good. The purpose-built nature of the Regent Business School MBA in Healthcare Management strives to instil these very principles in our present and future leaders, so that we can we shape a future where ethical leadership and sound research ethics are at the forefront of practice, making a lasting impact on society.

By leading ethically in healthcare, leaders can build trust with their communities, improve patient satisfaction, and create a healthier and more productive work environment for providers. Ultimately, ethical leadership is essential to driving innovation while ensuring that patient care remains at the forefront of every decision made in the healthcare system.

For more information about Regent Business School’s MBA in Healthcare Management please go to https://regent.ac.za/programme/master-of-business-administration-in-healthcare-management

Become future ready by joining one of accredited MBAs, postgraduate qualifications, degrees, diplomas, or higher certificates! All 2023 students will receive a free Management Development Programme valued at R7000. T’s & C’s Apply.