Michele du Plessis
Launched in 2010 by the non-profit organisation, Symphonia for South Africa, Partners for Possibility (PfP) is an internationally recognised, award-winning leadership development initiative with a difference. “We are passionate about and committed to developing conscious, resilient leaders through an extraordinary, action-based process that breaks down barriers, connects people and inspires change,” Dorcas Dube, Symphonia for South Africa’s Marketing and Communications Manager said.
Coming to Saldanha Bay soon
The (PfP) programme will soon be realized in the Saldanha Bay business and education communities if enough funding can be raised. “The 12-month PfP programme pairs business leaders and principals from under-resourced schools to capacitate school principals and build their leadership skills. The programme offers business leaders a hands-on experience to hone their leadership skills in a set up vastly different from their own day-to-day working lives: a school environment riddled with unique challenges.
How is the programme applied?
The programme engages business leaders in a challenging hands-on experience within an educational environment that is fraught with complex challenges that require skilled leadership.
“Through a partnership with the business leaders, our programme equips principals with the skills and knowledge to lead change and mobilise communities around their schools,” Dorcas explained.
The programme works by asking partners to effect change collaboratively at four levels in the school environment:
- The school principal
- The School Management Team
- The teachers
- The parents and community
“School principals learn from business leaders about HR and IT and Finance. Business Leaders learn about life in an under-resourced community, how to get things done when you have little direct control,” Louise van Rhyn CEO, Symphonia for South Africa stated.
Social investment a key ingredient
The private sector, through the PfP programme, has a conduit for social investment. The philanthropic efforts of business in education are not limited to monetary donations – there is an opportunity to channel funds into a sustainable process that strengthens individual leadership skills, builds social capital and provides support in schools.
“We are calling on corporate and individual business leaders in Saldanha Bay to commit to the programme and contribute to sustainable improvements in South Africa’s education system, ‘’ says Dorcas.
Read more about PfP, its impact to date, and the need for more business leaders to become involved by visiting www.PfP4SA.org or emailing PfP@Symphonia.net. Follow PfP on Twitter (@PfP4SA) or Facebook (Partners for Possibility) and join the #PfP2000 community and donate R200 monthly in support of quality education for all children in South Africa. Interview requests may be made to Dorcas Dube, Marketing and Communications Manager: Email: Dorcas@Symphonia.net, Mobile: 076 766 2326.