I have just returned from a wonderful golf day and auction in aid of the Make A Difference Leadership Foundation – also known as MAD. The brainchild of old Springbok Rugby Captain, Francois Pienaar, today MAD consists of a group of like-minded individuals sharing a vision to develop academically talented scholars, with leadership potential into future leaders for South Africa.
To make a difference, cooperation with mentors and sponsors are very important, as is our international programme of fundraisers and sport events. (programme of events)
In a country burdened by poverty and unemployment, education is key. The MAD Leadership foundation offer support in education, leadership and life-skills development to talented scholars who do not have the necessary financial resources.
137 scholars are currently part of the programme while another 1287 children benefit from MAD’s support of a broader education programme.
The MAD programme focusses on:
Scholar wellness, development and support
- Mentorship – Involves building a positive relationship with the MAD Leadership Foundation scholars, encouraging them through their schooling and assisting with life-skills development and learning.
- Academic – Academic excellence is successfully achieved through a full support programme of tuition funding, up-to-standard schooling, career advice and development, counselling, study skills and IT skills for the full 9+ years each scholar is on the programme. Basic needs are fully covered.
- Community outreach – We believe that an integral part of leadership is awareness of and taking responsibility for societal needs. Our aim is for every MAD Leadership Foundation scholar to understand the value of giving back.
- Leadership – With the help of recognised specialists in this field, MAD Leadership Foundation has developed a Leadership Programme that aims to instil the qualities of a leader.
- Wellness – Focuses on the emotional and physical well-being of our scholars through the collective effort of our multi-disciplinary Scholar Support Unit managed by a Clinical Psychologist.
Broad-based education – Addresses the general education and environmental crisis in South Africa by supporting projects that create positive change in under-privileged, rural communities.
Fellowship – currently 34 exceptional graduates are actively pursuing a range of careers, including graduates who are lawyers, accountants, marketers, financial planners and teachers, and are employed in both locally and internationally.
The MAD foundation has been making a difference for 13 years. Among its many successes are:
- 34 exceptional MAD Leadership Foundation alumni, who are actively pursuing a range of careers – compared to 51% of students in South Africa who enrol for a 3-year or 4-year degree, but never graduate.
- MAD Leadership Foundation’s National Top Achievers for 2015: junior learner, senior learner and student achieved 89.5%, 92.5% and 88.5% respectively.
- Despite the unfortunate statistic in South Africa that only 23% of learners passed Grade 12 in 2014, MAD Leadership Foundation is committed to upholding its own track record of 100% per year.
- 79 Matriculants with a total of 211 distinctions since 2006 – compared to the statistic that if 10 children enrol in Grade 1 in any given year, South Africa can expect 5 to reach matric, 3 to pass and 1 to pass maths with 50%.
- 8 MAD Leadership Foundation Matrics achieved a total of 24 collective distinctions in 2015.