May News

Number Crunching : Measuring our Impact

Simone received the highest award for academic excellence at
the College of Cape Town where she studied ECD in 2011-2012

A total of 35 students have graduated from the School of Hope with a Matric Certificate since 2008. Where are they NOW? We know that 46% of them are currently studying and 43% of them are meaningfully employed.

Simone van Der Berg (2008) studied Early Childhood Development management and is currently the Principal at Graceland preschool in Stellenbosch.



Mishqa Benjamin (2009) started her own successful transport business and creche.

Khumbula Mdende (2010) is in his third year of study at Cornerstone Institute in Cape Town. His amazing story of hope is featured here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NlpsVw3lTg

Manhino's studio

Manhino Dias (2010) studied at Cape Audio College and is now part owner of Shack Records. He has produced dozens of tracks for up-and-coming artists.

Noxolo Mdingi (2010) obtained a diploma in auxiliary social work and is currently working in the Langa area. She facilitated a successful intervention programme to help young offenders incarcerated at Polsmoor.

Bianca Moyakhe (2011) has been permanently employed at Cape Union Mart since she graduated.

Thandeka Deda arrives at Hugenot College
to begin a new season in her life

Thandeka Deda (2012) is studying social work at Huguenot College in Wellington. She is currently doing her 3-month practical at Thembacare in Athlone.

Fatimah Santon (2012) was awarded a bursary from Stellenbosch University to study Humanities. She recently posted the following on Facebook: ‘Students at SOH, you guys are so lucky. University is tough. A 300 word essay at school is fun compared to the essays we write here. Enjoy it and make the best of it. And appreciate the teachers because they spoon feed you (and i don't think they should). Do the best you can.’

Aza Mahlati (2012) has started his own clothing label Noni Nura (Young and Fresh).

Destino Nzonzidi (2012) is studying Political Science through UNISA and had the following to say about his first assignment: "I just received the result of my first assignment (Understanding the state, Political science) and I got 92%! This reminds me of my high school days, when my assignments were always outstanding."

In 2013 we have 17 learners in  Grade 12,the largest group we have ever attempted to matriculate. According to social worker Daryn Jones, who is responsible for Career Guidance at School of Hope, among them are chartered accountants, lawyers, social workers, mechanical engineers, teachers, journalists, chefs, flight attendants, IT technicians and auditors. We cannot wait to hear about their adventures in the future.

Marvin Mentoor and Aldorechia Adonis are two of three 2012 students who did not pass in 2012. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they went to the Department of Education and asked to be allowed to write supplementary exams. Unbelievably, they were allowed to do so and they rewrote in February this year. This month they received their results and both have now passed Grade 12. Sometimes all we need is a second chance.

The third student who fell short of a pass, is completing a vocational qualification in Hospitality at the Sustainability Institute at Lynedoch, Stellenbosch. We are just as proud of him as we are of our other alumni.

Ultimately this takes us from an 80% pass rate to a 93 % pass rate for 2012, a full 10% above the national pass rate. Now these are numbers worth crunching!