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, elderly care, fundraising, social entrepreneurship, and more, raising the bar for youth-driven social impact.
The award, a trophy, was personally presented by Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift Of The Givers Foundation. The presentation and handover took place at the organisation’s head office in Pietermaritzburg on 9 December 2025, where learners were celebrated for their extraordinary achievements.
“From the moment we launched Jumpstart in February 2025, Estcourt Secondary club grabbed our attention,” said Shameemah Jahed, Programme Manager. “These young leaders showed up with passion and determination. They turned their ideas into action and impact in the true spirit of Ubuntu.”
Grade 11 learner Marlin Jacobs, a member of the club, was honoured with the Superhero of Jumpstart 2025 Award for his exceptional leadership abilities, resilience, supporting his club, promoting his school, and coordinating projects with his peers. The award was personally presented to him by Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman.
School Principal Mrs. Marilyn Jordon-Donnelly, along with educators Fezile Mayasela and Shafia Sukram, were commended for providing continuous support that enabled Jumpstart Club members to excel.
National Impact in Record Time
For Estcourt Secondary School, the trophy is more than recognition; it is a testament to what young people can achieve when given opportunities, support, and trusted to lead.
“Estcourt Secondary has been so humbled to have been part of the Jumpstart programme. The confidence, ingenuity, compassion, and communication skills of our students have been enhanced through their exposure to the Jumpstart programme. As a principal, I am so proud to have such committed stakeholders who have come on board to help mentor our future leaders. The students’ goals for Jumpstart 2026 are already loading,” says Mrs. Marilyn Jordon-Donnelly, Principal of Estcourt Secondary School.
Student-Led Social Impact
What makes Jumpstart unique is its inclusive model and entirely student-led approach. At Jumpstart, we provide the framework, tools, mentorship, and support that allow learners to embark on an exploratory journey to address challenges in their school or community. They learn to collaborate, problem-solve, and identify needs and opportunities that will create meaningful and lasting impact.
Applications for the Jumpstart 2026 Cohort close on 27 February.
Only 25 schools nationwide will be selected. To join the JumpStart Club now, visit: www.jumpstartza.com
About Jumpstart
JumpStart, powered by Gift of the Givers, is a 100% free and inclusive youth development and leadership programme for South African high schools. It is intentionally designed to remove barriers and ensure that learners, regardless of background or learning environment, have access to meaningful opportunities.
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