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08 November 2024
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Story Jacky Tshokwe
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Photo Supplied
The Kingdom Vision Foundation (KVF) management team took part in the annual Social Impact Innovation Awards organised by the SAB Foundation.
In September, the Kingdom Vision Foundation (KVF) management team took part in the annual Social Impact Innovation Awards, organised by the SAB Foundation. This competition included a three-day workshop, during which participants received mentorship on enhancing their business models to maximise sustainable impact. Participants also crafted a four-minute business pitch, which they delivered to a panel of independent judges from sectors such as business, health, education, and government. At the end of the workshop, winners were chosen based on the impact of their innovation, the strength of their business model, and the likelihood of future success.
On 10 October, the management team attended the Innovation Awards Ceremony, where KVF was honoured with the Development Award worth R700 000. In addition to the grant, KVF will participate in a 15-month business coaching and mentorship programme in 2025, through which the SAB Foundation’s coaching team will support them in expanding and scaling their impact across South Africa.
The funding will enhance both the Kovsie Health and Anchor of Hope eye clinics, which are collaborating with the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Optometry to provide affordable eye care to thousands of students and community members. The project aims to improve the quality of education for Optometry students, helping them experience the positive change they can drive through social impact. KVF’s vision includes a future at Kovsie Health where every student’s visual needs are met, regardless of financial constraints, and a thriving Anchor of Hope clinic that brings the gift of sight and renewed hope to rural communities around Bloemfontein.
Stained glass artist’s hard work recognised
2016-07-13
Bongani Njalo, project co-ordinator for the
Program for Innovation in Artform Development,
was recognised as one of the 200 Young
South Africans by the Mail & Guardian category
for the year 2016.
Photo: Siobhan Canavan
“I’ve used each highlight of my career as a benchmark for greater accomplishments.”
These are the words of Bongani Njalo, who was selected as one of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans together with Adv Loyiso Makapela, Junior Lecturer at the University of the Free State (UFS) Law Faculty. Njalo was recognised in the Arts and Culture category for his outstanding contribution to the art scene.
Getting to know the artist
The fine art graduate has worked on different art projects in several cities, and is currently the project co-ordinator for the Program for Innovation in Artform Development (PIAD). PIAD is a programme developed by the UFS and the Vrystaat Arts Festival, which focuses on how technology, interdisciplinary and experimental arts can connect with and impact on communities.
Aspiring artist on the move
Soon, this young artist will be on the move again, as he has been accepted into the Internal Leadership Program in Visual Arts Management at Deusto Business School, taking place in Bilbao in Spain in November and in New York next March.
When asked about the nomination, Njalo simply said: “To be honest with you, I don’t feel any differently whatsoever. I now feel I have more work I’d like to do.”
A man of many talents
Not only was Njalo an intern at the Mandela Bay Development Agency where he compiled the book entitled Art & Artists of the Eastern Cape, but he also curated the Eastern Cape Artists Exhibition at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2011.
In 2012, Njalo was invited to curate a group exhibition, Beehive, for the Cape Town International Month of Photography Festival, and in 2014 he won the David Koloane Mentorship Award.