2013 and Beyond

In the previous Annual Report we stated that in order to remain relevant and viable the HSRP needed to appoint the services of an education officer as a matter of urgency. As time passed we remained hopeful and steadfastly optimistic that the right educationist would appear on our doorstep. During July 2013 we moved our doorstep from Unit 5 Tokai on Main Office Park to more spacious premises at Unit 6 and we are delighted to announce that we have succeeded in turning that hope and optimism into informed action as the Education Officer position will be filled from the 1st of October.

Besides increasing support services to the schools’ community structures and developing innovative programmes, the Education Officer will tackle the achievable educational challenges systematically and create a solid platform on which the historic schools can build.

In the interest of extending the HSRP footprint into all of the provinces by the end of 2013, we have explored a variety of opportunities for a number of historic schools. Acknowledging the significance of the rich history and heritage of a group of South Africans that has somehow been neglected, and following a period of consultation and deep reflection the HSRP has decided to initiate two special heritage projects:

• To produce an anthology of essays written by individuals whose stories to date have remained untold, and to continue the narrative of historical and cultural influences that were part and parcel of their educational experiences at the historic schools.
• To produce a two-part documentary on the historic schools in South Africa and to give voice to the alumni of the schools.

There is a tendency to expect that government must provide everything related to education. This is impossible and we can only transform our systems if every community takes ownership of their own development, with assistance from others, including the alumni. Schools such as Inanda Seminary, Inkamana and Tiger Kloof have been successful because their alumni have ploughed back into the school community. The HSRP will continue to support the drive to encourage participatory alumni associations. Notwithstanding the infrastructural challenges schools such as Healdtown, St Matthews and Lemana have encountered, the HSRP has in many respects become stronger, more resolute and more creative. Whilst in the past few years the entire globe has been struggling to make sense of things economically, the HSRP has been supported by corporate and other social investors and we have experienced successes in terms of infrastructural development. Our projects are feasible, therefore we have decided to appoint a project manager who would commit to action and systemically achieve objectives where the appropriate planning phases have taken place.

The HSRP is striving to re-create sustainable schools of excellence at educational sites of historical significance. These will lead the way for real comprehensive educational transformation in our country. We have a chance to develop specific valuesdriven schools as a national priority. For this to be achieved the HSRP and all stakeholders must be active, open and willing participants in the school reform process and it requires huge commitment. The potential outcomes could provide a firm foundation for renaissance in Africa.