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2024 has been a year of bold strides, global connections, and local impact. Our mission to accelerate social progress has resonated in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities alike.
Allow us to share some of the standout chapters of this year as we work to bring the GrowZA project to life at scale
Splashing Across Borders
It started with a simple idea: to make water stewardship education accessible and engaging. What began as a localized puppet show became a global product when the ‘Splash the Amazing Water Wiz’ book was transformed into a flat-pack puppet show model. This innovation allowed it to travel far beyond its origins, debuting internationally in Morocco.
Today, it’s a tool that communities around the world use to teach young minds about the importance of water, proving that small ideas can ripple into big waves of change.
Inspiring Future Aviators
This year, we watched young eyes light up as they flipped through the pages of the FLY! aviation publication. Distributed across three African countries, it opened doors to the skies for children, encouraging them to dream of careers in aviation.
This milestone pushed GrowZA’s total book distribution to over 50,000 copies, reaffirming our commitment to creating resources that inspire and empower.
Building on Trust
In 2024, our partnership with our Trust partners grew stronger, with a 28% increase in portfolio size. This wasn’t just about numbers—it was about reaching more people with Early Education, Higher Education, Skills Development, and Innovation projects. Each new initiative represented lives changed, opportunities created, and futures made brighter.
GrowZA Think Tank
The GrowZA Think Tank made headlines this year, gaining national attention and earning an invitation to the La Défense 2025 France Professional workshop in the Saisons District of Paris in January 2025.
But our reach didn’t stop there. We joined an international research group alongside universities from Sweden and India, contributing to groundbreaking work on the “Future of Digital Work from the Margins.”
These global engagements are a testament to our role as thought leaders, pushing boundaries and shaping the future.
A Seat at the Global CSR Table
When GrowZA execuitve Director, Craig Kensley was invited to co-chair a global CSR Conference in Vietnam next July, it wasn’t just an honour—it was a recognition of South Africa’s potential to lead on the global stage.
This role solidifies our position as a partner in shaping corporate responsibility initiatives that drive meaningful change.
STEM innovation
One of the year’s proudest moments came with the Strength in Numbers programme, which reached seven provinces across South Africa. Armed with STEM tools and training, learners and educators were empowered to bridge gaps in education, proving that real progress starts in the classroom.
Innovating Vocational Training
Our work this year wasn’t just about education—it was about transformation. Through an immersive metaverse vocational training programme, we redefined how electricians are trained, using cutting-edge technology to create a truly future-focused approach to skills development.
Creative Change in Private Education
In the private education space, GrowZA is engaged in a significant change management project as part of its creative development programme. Practical skills for the creative sector in South Africa and Beyond. By introducing dynamic systems, we are showing how education can evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
Empowering Creatives Through the GrowZA Academy
In its most expansive year yet, the GrowZA Academy reached more South African youth than ever before. By equipping aspiring creators with mobile photography skills, the academy opened doors to new possibilities and careers, proving that creativity is a skill worth nurturing.
The Spirit of the Springboks
And then there was the magic of sport. Working alongside the World Champion Springboks, GrowZA produced content that inspired young South Africans to dream bigger. It was a reminder of the values of teamwork, resilience, and excellence—values that we strive to embody in everything we do.
Looking Forward to 2025
As we turn the page to 2025, GrowZA is poised for increased impact. With invitations to global forums, expanded programmes, and new partnerships on the horizon, we remain steadfast in our mission to connect development resources to growth opportunities.
Thank you to every partner, supporter, and community member who has been part of our journey. Together, we’re not just imagining a better future—we’re growing it.
Here’s to another year of progress, possibility, and purpose.
The GrowZA Team