From these humble beginnings, GWF has grown and developed as a futuristic EDU model which operates in support of the formal schooling system and is able to deliver access to world class education to the remote villages of rural South Africa. In 2012 the Hazyview Digital Learning Campus (HDLC) prototype was established, located about 100 kilometres from Londolozi and close to the border of the Greater Kruger National Park.
This campus is an ecosystem of learning, which was not only designed to supplement the existing schooling system but was also intended to prepare learners technically and emotionally for the arriving digital cloud economy, the fourth industrial revolution and facilitate access to gainful employment with the education and training received. The success of the GWF is shown by the amazing results being achieved at both its central innovation campus in Hazyview and the six satellite digital campuses, which have been systematically established in the villages adjacent to the Sabi Sands.
By 2022 this network of campuses will have the potential to provide digital education facilities for over 26,000 students from the area. This programme has become a beacon of cooperation and co-creation, as many of the lodges in the Sabi Sands have stepped forward and joined Londolozi by committing long-term sustainable funding to GWF to continue the ongoing operations of these satellite campuses. This collective investment by our colleagues in the industry will serve to unlock untapped human potential currently residing in these rural villages.
As we approach the end of the Vision 2020 Project, GWF was responsible for the education and learning improvement of 7 473 children between the ages of 10 and 18 and the skills-based training of 385 adults. These learning centres are situated in rural areas often far removed from the access to governmental infrastructure. Furthermore, at the last census, 81% of adult learners were woman and 50% of the children were girls. This has been achieved at a cost of about US$1.50 per child per day of digital learning.
Londolozi has – to date – donated in excess of R6 million to GWF, on average R1.5 million per year since 2015 and provided many other “in kind” forms of support. We raise on average R150 000 per year from guests who generously support the foundation with added donations. We are, as a result, directly responsible for the provision of digital learning and skills-based training of 427 children and 26 adults a year.
On any day, take a walk through our Londolozi Futuristic African Village and see in real time the re-imagined education module in action – one of the 6 fully functioning learning centres surrounding the greater Kruger National Park area can be live streamed to see the magic taking place! Education is a keystone aspect of our mission We wish to ensure firstly, that all the people at Londolozi are encouraged to become the best versions of themselves, and secondly that individuals are given the tools necessary to realise their full potential. It was on this basis that Londolozi developed various education systems, starting with our Londolozi creche in the 80s for early childhood development. Later the Londolozi Learning Centre (2007) for adults was developed in the staff village to improve skills and capabilities for family members.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela
Since then we have partnered with Lobster Inc, a digital platform that contains a learning library of over 250 industry-accredited courses, developed by leading subject matter experts. The programmes cover a wide range of practical hospitality training courses that are accessible to our staff 24/7. In addition to this our Learning Centre also provides learning opportunities for English and digital literacy. This enables broader learning and allows for growth opportunity, which supports our staff and gives them the opportunity to pursue their own career development. More than 77 staff have completed various courses in hospitality, ICDL (digital skills) and English.
All funds are collected in the GWF USA Foundation which is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We’ll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
