Celebrating 15 Years of Columba Leadership
Posted / 17 October 2024
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact: Columba Leadership’s Legacy of Youth Empowerment and Social Change
As we mark Columba Leadership’s 15th anniversary, we celebrate the remarkable journey of transforming South Africa’s youth into empowered, values-driven leaders. Since 2009, Columba has partnered with over 319 schools, fostering leadership and active citizenship, and preparing the next generation to become positive change agents in their schools and communities. Our work aligns with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and National Youth Policy, recognizing young people as a critical resource for the nation’s future.
At the core of Columba’s success are the dedicated educators and partner schools who play a pivotal role in amplifying our values-based leadership programme. By embedding principles such as integrity, perseverance, and service into the everyday lives of learners, they help shape resilient, future-ready individuals. These schools have become nurturing grounds for leadership, enabling learners to develop not just academically, but also as ethical citizens committed to social good.
Columba Leadership’s model is anchored in experiential learning and leadership development. Through partnerships with the Department of Education and other key stakeholders, we’ve built a robust network of support that enables young leaders to thrive. Our programmes have empowered learners to confront challenges like bullying, substance abuse, and school dropouts, turning obstacles into opportunities for leadership and growth.
One of the distinguishing features of our work is our ability to forge strong connections with corporate South Africa and civil society.
Our partners provide invaluable resources and platforms that extend opportunities for learners beyond the classroom. From Career Days to learnership programmes, our corporate engagements create employment pathways for youth, equipping them with critical skills for their future.
We are proud of the enduring relationships we’ve cultivated with our funders and programme partners who have supported us on this impactful journey. Their contributions have allowed us to grow our reach, providing resources and infrastructure to schools in under-resourced areas. The investment in these communities has delivered tangible results: learner dropout rates have dropped significantly, and over 95% of our learners who stay in school achieve matriculation, with 85% of them qualifying for tertiary education.
Columba’s 15-year legacy is one of empowering young people to lead with integrity, solve problems creatively, and work collaboratively for the betterment of society. As we look to the future, our commitment remains steadfast: to cultivate a movement of ethical leaders who will drive meaningful change across South Africa. We thank our educators, funders, partners, and the learners themselves for making this vision a reality. Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Here’s to the next 15 years of leadership, empowerment, and transformation!