The Good Work Foundation

Some wise and wonder-filled words from our CEO and Founder, Kate Groch:

"Doing puzzles, whether you’re young or old, at school like our learners or finding your place out in the world like our students, is a wonderful mix of fun and learning.

Puzzles challenge the brain, strengthen problem-solving skills, and improve memory, focus, and patience (yes, sometimes a lot of patience!).

As you piece the puzzle together, you build logic, collaboration and perseverance, all while enjoying the satisfaction of success. Puzzles remind us that learning doesn’t have to feel like work, it can be playful, engaging, and fun at any age."

What happens when rural school-leavers are given the tools, mentorship and confidence to turn an idea into a business?

At Good Work Foundation's Bridging Year Academy, our Introduction to Entrepreneurship stream takes students from an online simulation game to group and individual pitching, culminating in our own Shark Tank style challenge and finally a Pitch Your Business competition.

Along the way, students build the practical skills and self belief needed to think like entrepreneurs, often turning a side hustle born out of necessity into something bigger.

One story stands out: Jubilee Unathi Mhlongo, who turned her own struggle with acne into 'Jubilee Skin Products', a range of soaps, scrubs and serums made from turmeric, honey and other natural ingredients. She started with door to door sales and grew her reach through social media, going on to win our Pitch Your Business competition at our Lillydale Digital Learning Campus in 2025.

"I wanted to create affordable products because I know many people can't afford expensive skincare routines," Jubilee says.

BYA Programme manager Kathy Knott shares more on how GWF nurtures young entrepreneurs like Jubilee. Read the full story here: https://www.goodworkfoundation.org/our-why/our-stories/how-gwf-is-advancing-youth-entrepreneurship-in-south-africa

On 9 August 1956, over 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, standing together against injustice and for the right to be heard. Women's Day in South Africa honours their courage, unity, and unwavering belief in building a better future.

At Good Work Foundation, we see that same spirit alive today. As of last year, 72% of our staff were women. They lead, they teach, they learn, they innovate. And they do so alongside equally committed men, because progress is something we build together.

Good Work Foundation is pioneering an ecosystem of learning and working in rural communities, opening doors for those who have been left out and creating spaces where every person, regardless of gender, can thrive.

Today, we celebrate the women who make this mission real. Here's to a future of equality and opportunity.

South Africa marked its first-ever National Science Month this July, under the theme "Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone."

At Good Work Foundation, we're seeing what that looks like in practice: nearly 2 500 rural Grade 8 and 9 learners across Mpumalanga and the Free State taking part in weekly coding and robotics immersions, up from 290 learners at a single school just three years ago.

The results are measurable. 80% of participants report increased confidence in Mathematics and Science. Half say they're now more interested in STEM careers.

"The future of the world is digital, so it's good for them to have these skills, even if they don't go into STEM as a career," says GWF coding coordinator Patricia Ubisi.

Read the full story on how coding is opening new doors for rural learners: https://www.goodworkfoundation.org/our-why/our-stories/digital-dreams-how-rural-high-school-learners-are-coding-up-a-storm-with-gwf-during-national-science-month

2025 in Numbers: Our People.

151 full-time GWF employees. 72% are women. 75% are GWF alumni themselves.

Our staff are proof that this ecosystem works. Many of them walked through our doors as
learners first.

2025 in Numbers: Pathways to Work.

324 Bridging Year Academy students. 125 Career Academy graduates. And 82% of those
graduates moved into work or further study by April 2026.

This is our Ecosystem of Learning and Working in action, carrying young people from rural
classrooms into dignified careers.

2025 in Numbers: Backing Our Teachers.

Our Teacher Support Programme delivered 52 workshops in 2025, reaching 439 teachers.

Strong teachers build strong classrooms. Investing in them is investing in every learner they
teach.

2025 in Numbers: Our School Network.

GWF now partners with 40 schools, a 29% increase from 2024.
Each partnership brings digital learning directly into classrooms across rural Mpumalanga and the Free State.

More schools. More learners. More futures being built.

2025 in Numbers: Learning Reach.

13,023 learners reached through our Open Learning Academy this year. That's a 37% increase from 2024.

Every one of those learners is a rural South African child gaining access to digital skills that were once out of reach.

This is what growth looks like on the ground.

Read our full 2025 Impact Report: https://www.goodworkfoundation.org/about-us/impact-reports/impact-report-2025

In the lead up to the Sabi Sand Trail run, WarriorRic visited our campuses with words of inspiration. His message to our students, staff and the surrounding community: face the challenge.

The Sabi Sand Trail Run takes place on 29 August 2026, along the border of the Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, in support of community development and conservation in the region where we work. It reflects what we believe: that opportunity grows strongest when a whole community gets behind it.

We're proud to help build the excitement, and even prouder of the community that shows up for it.



Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust