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Learners from St Cyprian’s School and the JumpStart Club at Dominican School for Deaf Children in Cape Town recently came together for a three-hour session of games, open dialogue, and shared experiences. St Cyprian’s School And The Dominican School For Deaf Children Gathering For The Session, WC. They learned sign language, talked about their schools, exchanged life stories, and spoke honestly about their hopes and dreams for the future. Learners engaged with one anothe…

By Luphomlo Joka, Managing Director at Global Leadership Consultants and author of The Ultimate Leader Shift. At Global Leadership Consultants (GLC), our strategic focus is to unlock the potential of individuals, enterprises, and communities through structured development, advisory services, and hands-on implementation. Why We Partnered with JumpStart Our partnership with JumpStart, within the Gift of the Givers Foundation ecosystem, is a direct extension of this strategic intent. From a ski…

South Africa’s strength has always been its rich cultural diversity – a melting pot of possibilities and potential. JumpStart, powered by Gift of the Givers Foundation, was created to turn that diversity into action by empowering young leaders and changemakers to build a more equal and united future. In our classrooms, you’ll find different languages, cultures, faiths, abilities, and lived experiences. That diversity should never be a barrier to growth; it should be a catalyst for it. We beli…

At JumpStart, we know that meaningful change in schools doesn’t happen alone. Through the JumpStart Programme, high school learners across the country benefit from the expertise, guidance, and insights of a strong network of partners who are passionate about education and youth development. We believe that partnerships go beyond funding, they include capacity building and active collaboration that contribute directly to the success of our programme. With our guidance and access to…

The truth is that very few achievements in life are truly accomplished alone. Behind every success story lies a network of guidance – lessons from teachers, insights from books, and wisdom shared by friends or elders who acquired vital skills having navigated life’s journeys. ‘Passing the baton’ or providing guidance to those embarking on the professional journey is the role of mentorship. This is the continuation of a timeless tradition; the structured passing of knowledge, experi…

Within less than a year of the Jumpstart pilot, high schools across the country showed up and demonstrated what learners are capable of when given meaningful opportunities. One such school that stood out from the crowd was Estcourt Secondary in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), achieving the Best Performing Jumpstart Club Award. They led and completed 14 projects in 10 months, ranging from classroom upgrades (tiling seven classrooms) to establishing food gardens, community outreach, feeding schemes, elderl…

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 (Image: Jumpstart Club of the Domican School for Deaf Children in Cape Town preparing to establish a food garden) 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭? Jumpstart, powered by Gift of the Givers, is a 100% free and inclusive youth development and leadership programme for registered high schools. All school types are welcome: public, rural, independent, Model C, faith-based, and technical schools. With a strong focus on inclusivity, the programme also ensure…

Massive congratulations to Estcourt Secondary School for being named the Best Jumpstart Club in SA for 2025! They crushed it with 14 community projects in 10 months. 🤩 From tiling classrooms to feeding schemes, these young leaders are the real deal. A special shoutout to Marlin Jacobs for being named the “Superhero of 2025”! Inspired? You can be next! Applications for the Jumpstart 2026 programme are now OPEN! But hurry, only 25 schools will be chosen. http://Massive congratulations to Estc…



“I grew up in Khayelitsha, Site B, in a home that was always full of family. My parents had a deep love for people, and I learned early on that family isn’t just about blood, it’s about those who shape your journey. My father, in particular, instilled in me the values of respect, resilience, and education. He always told me, “Get all the education you can, because when I’m gone, you’ll need it to stand on your own.” When my father fell ill, everything changed. I became his caregiver, watching…