{"id":296449,"date":"2026-01-27T12:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T10:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnuus\/?p=296449"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:02:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T15:02:51","slug":"sponsored-the-education-model-that-made-free-state-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/sponsored-the-education-model-that-made-free-state-1\/","title":{"rendered":"SPONSORED | The education model that made Free State #1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kagiso Trust<\/a> has a deep and enduring history in the Free State. It has implemented its District Whole School Development (DWSD) model in the province since 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has reached more than 400 schools across the Motheo, Fezile Dabi and Thabo Mofutsanyana districts. As a result, it has impacted over one million beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Logo<\/a>
Kagiso Trust logo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By 2018, Kagiso Trust had successfully exited direct implementation in the province. This exit was intentional and signals the effectiveness and maturity of the model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The continued performance of schools in the province reflects that the DWSD approach has been sufficiently embedded within the education system. The approach has also been taken up by the government and partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, the Free State remains a strong example of how sustained, system-led intervention can drive long-term educational outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Free State has consecutively ranked first in the country. This trend demonstrates the durability of the model beyond Kagiso Trust\u2019s direct involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Projects implemented with others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Partnership is central to Kagiso Trust\u2019s approach to education transformation. In the Free State, this has included close collaboration with the Free State Department of Education<\/a>. There has also been collaboration alongside strategic public and private partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through strategic partnerships, Kagiso Trust has supported skills development and learner exposure initiatives. These include advocacy and participation in the Maths Competition and National Skills competitions, which promote technical, vocational and future-focused competencies among learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Kagiso Trust\u2019s work through the Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST) represents a mature public-private partnership approach. This approach was developed alongside the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and later joined by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the KST operates across provinces, its work in the Free State remains anchored in collaboration with the government. It is also aligned to national education priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t

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