Charity is at the heart of what St Benedict’s does as a school, and between our community service projects and charity initiatives the school does so much for the community. But, as times have progressed and our society has changed, the nature of charity has changed as well. In some ways, this change is great, with online payments making donations easier and delivery services allowing people to drop off goods via a truck or scooter. But in other ways we see people becoming more disconnected from the organisations or people that they hope to help and serve. Time, travel and more simple alternatives mean that many charitable actions these days involve paying for, or collecting, items that simply get delivered. Society, and in particular schools, may have lost the human connection that makes charitable work so important, and in losing this connection might not be enacting the true meaning of charity.
This is where the Embrace Symposium had its impact in 2024. The Embrace Symposium was designed to challenge traditional notions of charity and promote a deeper, more impactful understanding that aligns with social justice. The event sought to inspire delegates to embed charitable values into their curriculums and activities, ensuring that charity goes beyond mere donations and becomes a cornerstone of educational ethos and student development.
Each speaker delivered a presentation on their area of expertise and engaged with the audience through a question-and-answer session. This interaction prompted numerous questions from attendees, leading to insightful and enriching responses from the speakers.
Social justice activist Rivonia Pillay, who has worked on many projects which overlap with the topic, was the opening speaker at the Symposium. She took the delegates through an impact model of social justice and spoke openly about the challenges of moving from implementation to sustained change. Her work with Global Shapers Tshwane Hub meant she could share unique insights into how ‘impact organisations’ attempt to move beyond just charity, and gave the delegates tools to do this in their own spaces.
If we had one word to describe the symposium it would be “Insightful” and not many words fit the bill. This year’s Embrace Symposium provided a fantastic opportunity for personal development as well as self-reflection. The symposium was geared towards creating inclusive school environments and it succeeded in highlighting the importance of these environments to the delegates. This year’s symposium, with the topic “Schools reaching an enriched understanding of charity in order to achieve social justice,” featured a number of keynote speakers with a wealth of experience. Something we particularly enjoyed is that each speaker had a unique story to tell which shaped their understanding of social justice. Esteemed individuals of many differing backgrounds spoke at the event, imparting knowledge to all of us through their distinctive and extensive experiences. Each of their stories aided in providing a holistic understanding of what charity looks like and its positive outcomes.
Mark Fish, a legendary South African football player, spoke to us about his 1996 AFCON-winning experience, his childhood and how his upbringing shaped his passion for charitable giving. Regarding academics, we were graced with the presence of a distinguished academic in the form of Professor John Kennedy. Professor Kennedy, with his global experience gleaned some valuable information and insight regarding how to treat those around you. Additionally, we had civil engineer Miss Rivonia Pillay relay engineering solutions to problems as well as sharing with us how advocacy and charity exist even in sects such as the engineering faculty. From the standpoint of an entrepreneur, Mr. Miles Khubeka spoke on using modern business solutions to create change in surrounding communities. It didn’t end there however, the event included a quintessential pioneer for social change, Professor Thuli Madonsela. As an individual who epitomises commitment to the rule of law, Prof Madonsela shared her enriched insight on what social change looks like in status quo and what it should look like in the future. Prof Madonsela used her wealth of knowledge to help us understand the importance of charity, especially in an environment as unique as the Rainbow Nation that South Africa is.
The Symposium challenged our ways of thinking and inspired us to utilise our influence positively. It was an experience that’ll forever be etched in our minds. It has left an indelible impression on all of us.
Professor Kerry John Kennedy, whose areas of research interest include civics and citizenship education, spoke about the idea of care, and how if caring is central to what we do in our charitable work its progression to sustained change will happen organically. He also gave the delegates insight into how all types of caring are valued, and that part of why people often don’t get involved in trying to change something is fear that it’s not enough. He reminded us that all caring is valued, no matter how small.
Our very own Miles Kubeka provided valuable insights into his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the evolution of his Vuyo’s brand and his innovative store on Alexandra Road. This store revolutionises customer experience by allowing customers to purchase the exact amount of mealie meal (and other essential items) they need, rather than full bags. Additionally, Mr Kubeka demonstrated the importance of community support by offering a unique service during load shedding, enabling customers to buy electricity for two hours at a minimal fee. His commitment to giving back to the community and addressing their needs exemplifies the true spirit of social entrepreneurship
The Embrace Symposium at St Benedict’s College was a remarkable success, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and a clearer understanding of how to integrate charity and social justice into the fabric of their educational environments. The contributions from distinguished speakers made the event not only informative but also inspiring. As schools move forward, the lessons and insights gained from this symposium will undoubtedly shape the future of charity education, fostering a more just and compassionate society.
