KST was established in 2013, through a collaboration between Kagiso Trust (KT) and the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF). Originally established as a hybrid delivery programme of KT and CRF, KST soon developed an identity of its own and built a reputation as a formidable development partner in South Africa’s education sector.
Both organisations have a track record of making signifi cant contributions to improving rural and township schools in the country. Their respective learnings and best practices, contributed to a partnership that aimed to effect meaningful and enduring change in the fi eld of education
KST has spent eight years in partnership with the Free State Department of Education (FSDoE) working towards the holistic development of schools and systemic change in the delivery of education in two districts, Fezile Dabi and Motheo.
KST’s partnership with the FSDoE began as a fi ve-year pilot project for the period 2013 – 2018. In 2018, the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) joined the partnership and extended the programme for a further three years, until 2021.
This public-private partnership has produced a very successful blended fi nancial model, with contributions from businesses, NGOs and government exceeding R500 million.
KST’s delivery model is called District Whole School Development (DWSD) and follows a clearly defi ned theory of change. The effi cacy of this model has been tested with a proof of concept evident to all stakeholders. The pilot programme is now complete. Over the last two years, the programme has been guided by a sustainability roadmap that outlines a responsible exit strategy. During 2021, KST worked towards ensuring that the investment made will continue to impact the quality of schooling over the coming years.
See full report at the link KST-Close-Out-Report