Right day for SA project to win the innovation in education Oscar

By Alec Hogg

As a famous carpenter told us, prophets tend not to be accepted at home. Which is the only reason for scant attention paid by South African media to Partners for Possibility (PfP) which yesterday was named among six winners of the 2018 WISE Awards – the global Oscars for innovation in education.

I met PfP’s tireless founder Dr Louise van Rhyn almost a decade back when she formally introduced American leadership guru Benjamin Zander to South Africa. The inspirational Zander, musical director of the Boston Philharmonic, shared a message of infinite possibilities that flow from positive thinking.

Van Rhyn, who holds a doctorate in organisational change, has practically applied the Zander philosophy. Her PfP builds capacity at under-resourced South African schools through connecting a business leader with the principal – and supporting them through leadership and other training. Ben and Roz Zander are still involved in the project.

Since its launch in 2010, PfP has impacted more than 700 schools, over 20,000 teachers and almost 600,000 learners. Given Madiba’s obsession with education, yesterday’s award was perfectly timed. And a rather appropriate way to celebrate Mandela Day.

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