The Western Cape Education Foundation (WCEF) was established in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), private sector partners and civil society to fulfil the education development objectives of the WCED through effective public-private partnerships.

The transformation of education in the Western Cape and community development cannot be seen as a government responsibility alone, but requires effort from all role players, aligning forces to make a measurable difference.

The core business of the WCEF is to

• Create access to quality education in disadvantaged communities through effective public-private partnerships.
• Secure investment of all kinds in building the human and social capital needed for sustainable development.
• Raise funds and other resources.
• Establish appropriate processes and structures for sharing information, resources and knowledge.
• Promote synergies by encouraging greater cooperation between financial contributors, academic programme developers, public education administrators and implementation specialists.
• Foster a common understanding and consensus on priorities for education development to ensure the effective and efficient use of all available resources.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on projects to ensure that we learn from our experience.

It is the WCEF's work to bring together those offering help and the school communities who need it in such a way that donors feel a closer connection to the communities they are helping and can take pride in the improvements.

The WCEF is a section 21 company, so it is better placed, practically and administratively to initiate, undertake and support public-private partnership projects and programmes that meet the educational objectives of the WCED. Organisations supporting projects through the Foundation may apply for tax benefits under Section 18A of the Income Tax Act.

Looking forward to 2009

A key part of our plans for 2009 is to continue talks with industry to address skills development in our province. Talks started with a business breakfast which was held in November 2008 as a first step engagement to ascertain the expectations of business and the desired response from the WCED. The meeting concluded with an undertaking to establish a committee consisting of role players from the education and business sectors to keep the conversation going. The committee held its first meeting in December 2008 and will continue this important dialogue in 2009.

It is our goal to work in partnership on projects in 2009 made possible by generous donors such as the Youth Leadership Development Project (R1 million - Vukani Gaming), the refurbishment of science laboratories at New Orleans Secondary School (R250 000 - ABSA); and the completion of a new primary school in Vredenburg, which is a joint venture between WCED and PETROSA who contributed R15 million to the project.

To find out more about opportunities for partnerships and how your company can become a member please email wblauw@pgwc.gov.za or call Wayne Blauw on 021 674 5341.