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Our Journey

Transforming Communities through Education and Work

About Us

We believe every young person should have the opportunity to participate fully in learning and in life regardless of means or ability. Our aim is to help create a Bonnievale that has zero learning gaps, zero NEETs and zero youth unemployment by 2030. Our strategy is to intervene across four sectors in Bonnievale. We invest in the lives of young people by increasing access to skills-based education, supporting learner pathways from school to work, growing employment potential within our local economy, and sharing what we learn with others. 

 

“We share a deeply held belief that every young person should have the opportunity to participate fully in learning and in life regardless of means or ability,” says Curren Kuhn, trustee of the JGE Funding Trust and programme director of Bonnievale 418. 

Where we Started

Join the race to make the world a better place

 

In the heart of rural South Africa, the small town of Bonnievale became the birthplace of a transformative initiative known as Bonnievale 418. This journey began in early 2020, following the successful establishment of the Jakes Gerwel Technical (JGT) High School in 2018, a no-fee, skills-based school aimed at empowering local youth.

Bonnievale 418 was launched as a second project, building on the school's success with a broader mission to invest in young people by helping them secure jobs in a skills-based economy. The name Bonnievale 418 is inspired by the scripture Luke 4:18, which states:

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

In the first quarter of 2020, trustees Augusta Brandt and Curren Kuhn from the Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial Funding Trust took the lead in starting the organisation. Soon after, the appointments of Michiel de Villiers as Career Manager and Dewald Cillié as Employment Manager further strengthened the team’s capacity to create meaningful employment opportunities for Bonnievale's youth. 

Education is key to human capital development (Stats SA, 2020). The more educated people are, the more likely their chances are for employment and jobs with good working conditions (Stats SA, 2020). The organisation supports pathways to gainful employment for youth in Bonnievale through preschool, primary school, high school, and after-school initiatives. 

Who we are...

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Our Vision

Our Ambitious Goal

At Bonnievale 418, we believe that every young person deserves the chance to fully participate in learning and life, regardless of their means or ability. Our program was created with a broader mission in mind – to invest in the lives of young people and find meaningful employment for a new generation of skills-based learners.

We set ourselves an audacious target: to achieve zero youth unemployment in Bonnievale by 2030. This goal drives everything we do, pushing us to create comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of unemployment and lack of opportunity.

Our Approach

To tackle this challenge, we developed a holistic strategy focusing on four key areas:

education
Classroom for group of multiracial schoolkids on science engineer education.
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1. Education:

The Education Stream is dedicated to improving learner outcomes in Bonnievale. We focus on identifying and addressing challenges in local schools by working closely with key education stakeholders, including school principals to develop innovative solutions that will improve educational outcomes in our 12 schools in the greater Bonnievale area. By fostering collaboration and implementing targeted strategies, the Education Stream is committed to raising educational standards and empowering learners to excel in Bonnievale. 

  

 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela 

 

Activities: 

Community Keepers 

We have partnered with Community Keepers to invest in the social, emotional, and mental well-being of learners in Bonnievale. 

 

DDD Dashboard 

The Data Driven Districts Programme integrates school-level data from SA-SAMS with the Data Driven Districts Dashboard, an online tool that visualizes learner performance and key metrics. This real-time data empowers Bonnievale’s principals to make impactful daily decisions. 

  

Education Council 

The Education Council comprises the principals of all local schools in Bonnievale. It functions as a cooperative forum, allowing these principals to coordinate their efforts in creating an improved academic environment for all students in Bonnievale. 

 

 

Contact Leentjie at leentjie@bonnievale418.co.za

 

Career Hub 

Our services to our school graduates include career counselling, mentorship, bridging programs, study and bursary application support and the unlocking of opportunities and the growing of the employment potential in Bonnievale. Three departments form part of our Career Hub: Pathways, Year 13 and Employment. 

 

 

Pathways:  

We provide career guidance to learners from our two High Schools during their final and pre-final years of school. With the information at hand, we build career profiles of learners and assist them with study and bursary applications for placements post-school. 

 

Activities: 

 

Career Coaching 

A Career pathway for every learner after they complete school 

 

Study and Bursary Applications 

We support all learners who wish to study after school with applications to tertiary study institutions and bursary and funding applications. 

 

Student support and mentorship 

We support students during the registration period on campus and finding accommodation. We need to see students successful in their studies, and we support and mentor students for the duration of their time on campus. 

 

michiel@bonnievale418.co.za 

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College students working together in the park
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Year 13:

We bridge the gap between education and employment through skills and character development. Our programs include the YearBeyond program, AdvanZ program and various learnership placements at employers in Bonnievale.

 

Activities: 

 

YearBeyond 

YearBeyond is a collaboration between the Government, the National Youth Development Agency, donors, and Bonnievale 418. The program is a 10-month program, providing unemployed youth with a stipend, and meaningful work experience, while at the same time encouraging a culture of community service. 

 

Learnerships 

We work with different employers in the Bonnievale region, various Sectoral Education and Training Authorities and Higher Education Institutes to offer learnership programmes to our learners after school. 

 

riche@bonnievale418.co.za 

Employment:

We build and strengthen partnerships with local businesses to unlock new opportunities for our school graduates while supporting them through mentorship as they transition into the workplace. 

 

Activities: 

 

Mentorship 

Our network of volunteers mentors and supports learners as they transition into the workplace for the first time 

 

EPWP 

Bonnievale 418 implements the Expanded Public Works Programme in Bonnievale to provide youth with entry-level work opportunities. 

 

dewald@bonnievale418.co.za 

  

Sharing: Our Sharing Stream share learnings with others to enable impactful community development in more places and specifically to assist 10 communities in 10 years to build 10 schools of skills in the Western Cape. 

 

"Skills development from school level and up are the key to local employment and a thriving economy. - Stefan" 

 

 stefan@bonnievale418.co.za 

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Two People writing Formulas on Glass Wall in School
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Our Growth

Looking Forward

In March 2020, we received a three-year grant from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. This funding allowed us to employ a dedicated team to support our four work streams and expand our impact.

As we continue our journey, we’re committed to not only transforming Bonnievale but also sharing our learnings with others. Our goal is to enable impactful community development in more places, specifically assisting 10 communities in 10 years to build 10 schools of skills in the Western Cape.

Bonnievale 418 is more than just a program – it’s a blueprint of hope, showing how a community can come together to create lasting change and bright futures for its youth.

Where we are going

Become a volunteer

Becoming a volunteer at Bonnievale 418 presents a wonderful chance to create a significant impact within the community. If you have a passion for social upliftment, environmental conservation, or educational support, volunteering here enables you to dedicate your time and skills to various initiatives. Join a committed group of volunteers who strive to enhance the lives of others and foster lasting change. Your participation will not only assist those in need but also offer opportunities for personal growth, new friendships, and a profound sense of fulfillment.

Latest Activities and News 

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Our Testimonials

Explore the uplifting stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by our initiatives at Bonnievale 418.

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Let Us Save It Today

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Do Have Any Questions?

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