INNOVATIVE YOUTH
INNOVATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP Future engineers getting opportunities today Creating opportunities for young South Africans is a core part of Knight Piésold’s mission, explains Vishal Haripersad, Managing Director Knight Piésold Southern Africa. Why was the decision taken to focus on high schools? High-school students are at a pivotal stage in their academic and personal development, where they begin to explore career options and solidify their interests. By engaging them early, we hope to influence their educational journey positively, particularly in STEM fields. We have seen that fewer learners choose Mathematics as a core subject and we want to help change the narrative by educating leaners about career options if they excel in Mathematics and Science. It’s a time when students are making crucial decisions about their futures and through Bokamoso, we aim to support and guide them. Our own engineers and scientists are also able to engage, support and motivate high-school learners. Vishal Haripersad, Managing Director Knight Piésold Southern Africa How long has the Bokamoso programme been part of Knight Piésold’s corporate social investment strategy? The Bokamoso programme is a part of our broader commitment to creating opportunities for young people in South Africa. It has been a core pillar of Knight Piésold’s CSI strategy, which is focused on youth development, especially in underserved communities. The word itself means “future’’ in the Tswana language. What are the key components and aims of Bokamoso? Bokamoso is centered on encouraging learners to think critically and express their ideas creatively, while also developing their communication skills and empowering them to thinking positively on their futures, career goals and skills development. Our core area of focus includes STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), allowing the students to think creatively and to voice their perspectives on key issues such as innovation, sustainability and community development. The overarching goal is to nurture talent and inspire students to pursue further education and careers in fields that can help uplift their communities within Southern Africa. Through this, we aim to inspire future leaders and contributors to South Africa’s development, nurturing skills that will be valuable both in STEM fields and beyond. Both MH Joosub Secondary School in Lenasia and ML Sultan Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg were previously trade schools where you have offered support. How does this fit into your strategy? Knight Piésold supports schools that need assistance with education or infrastructure projects. These schools and many others educate and develop learners from rural communities, despite having limited funding to do so. By supporting these schools, we provide students with the necessary infrastructure, sponsorships and mentorship to pursue careers in technical fields where practical skills are crucial. This aligns with our overall CSI approach of empowering young people with the knowledge and skills relating to STEM. How are schools selected for support programmes? Schools are selected based on several factors, including their geographic location, the level of need in terms of basic services and facilities and their focus on STEM education. We focus on underresourced schools, particularly in rural areas and townships. We base our support on the needs and we want to encourage longterm partnership with schools and not just once-off spend. For the Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition, we targeted no-fee or partially funded public high schools across Johannesburg South, in Gauteng. Is the emphasis on STEM linked to helping the nurturing of “future engineers”? Yes, our emphasis on STEM education is directly linked to nurturing future engineers, scientists and professionals in related fields. If corporates support and invest in youth, we can increase the likelihood of youth pursuing STEM careers, who then plough 26 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT back their knowledge into business one day. South Africa is also faced with a talent shortage in engineering, and it is up to us to retain our youth and by extension our future engineers. By focusing on STEM education, we hope to expose learners to these fields early on, sparking an interest in engineering and technical disciplines. As a company with a strong foundation in engineering, and with our roots dating back to 1921 in Johannesburg, Knight Piésold is committed to cultivating a new generation of talent that will contribute to the development of South Africa’s infrastructure and economy. Are there other programmes at a later stage for such people? Yes, Knight Piésold offers job-shadow days annually, exposing high-school students to civil engineering and science. We also offer fully paid bursaries for students in engineering or related fields. Through our bursary programme, we provide financial support for tertiary education, accommodation, meal allowances and hardware, thereby helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education and provide them with vacation work. Successful students gain employment with Knight Piésold upon graduation to provide them with work experience. Please describe a typical support programme for a high school. Each programme is tailored to the specific needs of the school. For example, in previous years, we’ve provided schools with much-needed infrastructure improvements, like equipping classrooms with science lab equipment, whiteboards, furniture or donating computers to improve digital literacy. We have to invest in each school as an ongoing commitment through socio-development plans, where the investment is not just temporary but on-going. Additionally, we offer career guidance workshops, mentorship sessions and motivational talks to tertiary and industry body associations. For example, at East Bank High in Alexandra Township, we recently provided chairs and tables to the students and now aim to continue the sponsorship until every child has a chair and table in every classroom. We also incorporate career talks and motivational sessions to inspire students to pursue higher education in STEM. Do you have follow-up programmes? We prioritise building long-term relationships with schools to ensure the sustainability of our efforts. For example, at East Bank High in Alexandra and at MH Joosub we have been involved in several projects over the years, from refurbishing classrooms to providing STEM career talks. Such efforts have contributed to improved pass rates in Mathematics and Science which in turn leads to more learners having the required subjects to enrol in civil engineering at university level. We have a huge success story where our CSI involvement with the school motivated a young student to pursue a career in civil engineering. He was later awarded a bursary with Knight Piésold and is now a full-time employee within our structures department. Why was the Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition introduced? The Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition was introduced to encourage critical thinking and creative expression among highschool students. It is designed to empower high-school learners across South Africa by promoting creative thinking, literacy and problem-solving, with a focus on public schools in underserved areas. Further to this, we see the rate of emigration from skilled South Africans and this essay topic allowed students to think about all the positive aspects in South Africa and express appreciation for the country. Since our first essay competition in 2019 the programme has grown, touching the lives of hundreds of students. While we focus heavily on STEM, we also believe that strong communication skills are crucial in any career, particularly in engineering and leadership. The competition allows students to explore topics relevant to their communities and futures, enhancing their writing skills while encouraging them to reflect on key societal issues. The goal is to develop well-rounded individuals who can think creatively and problem-solve. Why was this year’s theme chosen? The 2024 theme, "I Am Optimistic About My Future in South Africa Because...", was chosen to inspire students to reflect on the positive aspects of their future within the country. We wanted to encourage learners to express hope, ambition and determination despite the challenges they may face. By focusing on optimism and potential, we aim to foster a sense of empowerment and motivation among the youth, highlighting that they have the ability to shape a brighter future for themselves and for South Africa. This theme aligns with Knight Piésold’s belief in the strength and resilience of the next generation. What are the prizes on offer? The top prizes for the 2024 Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition include R8 500 for first place (and R125 000 towards a school infrastructure project), R6 500 for second place (and R85 000 towards a school infrastructure project) with five winners overall being announced. Certificates of achievement and trophies are also awarded. Is the competition something you look forward to? Absolutely. The Bokamoso creative writing competition is of utmost importance, and we are continually inspired by the creativity, intelligence and passion displayed by the learners. We look to improve in the next few years, and grow the reach of this competition by including more provinces within South Africa. Please add anything you feel is relevant or important. Bokamoso comes from the Setswana word meaning future - this is what we aim to do, impact the future generations. We at Knight Piésold believe in the potential of South Africa’s youth and are committed to providing them with opportunities to excel and make meaningful contributions to their communities. We are excited to see where the Bokamoso programme will go in the coming years as we continue to invest in the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. www.opportunityonline.co.za | 27
