Knysna Initiative for Learning and Teaching - KILT

Take a guess 👇🏾

Something happened on Mandela Day… 👀

And the numbers? Let’s just say they surprised us.

Want to see what you helped make possible? 👀

CLICK HERE: https://kilt.org.za/news/mandela-day-food-drive-results-2026/

Last year, one of our team members noticed a young boy standing alone outside a school hall while other children played inside.

There was nothing obviously wrong. He wasn’t crying. He wasn’t causing a disturbance. He was simply standing there, on the outside.

Most people would have walked past without a second thought.

But someone noticed.

Through KILT’s Psychosocial Programme, our team came to understand that this child was living with additional support needs that were not being adequately met in his current school environment. His mother was doing everything she could, but finding the right support can be a long and challenging journey.

What followed was months of advocacy, assessments, referrals, meetings and collaboration. Our Psychosocial Team worked alongside the family, schools and the Western Cape Education Department to ensure this child’s needs were seen, heard and acted upon.

Most importantly, they never gave up.

This term, that little boy walked through the gates of Knysna Primary School, where he can access the support he needs to thrive. As one of only two full-service schools in the greater Knysna area, Knysna Primary plays a vital role in supporting learners with additional needs and creating opportunities for children who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Despite receiving no additional funding for this specialised support, the school continues to go above and beyond for vulnerable children, often relying on its own fundraising efforts to provide the resources and opportunities its learners need.

This story isn’t about one organisation or one school.

It’s about what becomes possible when people choose to care.

Because sometimes changing a child’s future starts with something very simple: noticing the child standing alone and choosing not to walk away.

That is the heart of KILT’s Psychosocial Programme.

Today, because of your kindness, children who might have gone to bed hungry won’t.

To everyone who is supporting KILT’s Mandela Day Food Drive for Knysna’s soup kitchens—thank you. Your generosity is helping to make sure hungry tummies are full and that children and families in our community have a warm meal and a little less worry tonight.

Today, we had the privilege of delivering essential food supplies to two of Knysna’s soup kitchens, with more still to come before the end of July. Every donation placed in the KILT collection point at Food Lovers Market is turning compassion into a meal for someone who needs it most.

A heartfelt thank you to Hamilton's Property Portfolio Garden Route for donating an entire trolley of food, and to REMAX Coastal for taking up the challenge—we’re looking forward to seeing you fill another trolley next week. Keep an eye on our social pages to follow the journey.

Knysna, thank you for proving that when a community comes together, we don’t just fill pots—we make sure hungry tummies are full and hearts are reminded that they are not forgotten. 💚

Before South Africa saw her, Knysna did.

Before national selectors knew her name, there were early mornings, sacrifices, long training sessions and countless moments when giving up would have been easier than pushing forward.

But Aqhama Siko kept going.

Her journey began at Thembelitsha Primary School through our KILT Afterschool Sports Programme, and she has continued to grow and lead at Percy Mdala High School. Along the way, she has been supported by a collective of coaches, mentors, parents and teammates who have all played a part in shaping the player and leader she is today.

Aqhama is now the captain of the KILT U/17 Girls Rugby Team and has been one of our leaders both on and off the field for years.

That perseverance has now been rewarded as Aqhama has been selected for the SA Schools Girls Rugby Squad, one of the highest honours a young rugby player can achieve.

Aqhama has shown what is possible when talent is matched with determination.

This is more than a sporting achievement.

It’s a reminder that greatness can come from anywhere, from our schools, from our communities, and from young people who choose to believe in themselves long before the rest of the world does.

Today, we celebrate Aqhama: a young person who embodies resilience, commitment and courage. At KILT, we believe every child deserves the support and opportunities to realise their potential, and we are proud to have played a part in her journey.

Knysna is proud of you. KILT is proud of you. Go make South Africa proud. 🇿🇦🏉

Because when one girl makes the team, hundreds of others start believing they can too.

Leave your wishes for Aqhama in the comments, and we’ll make sure she gets them!

Young people protect what they know, what they understand, and what they feel connected to.

Every community has young people with extraordinary potential. The question is whether they are given the opportunity to realise it.

In Knysna, that question feels especially important.

Our estuary, forests, rivers and coastline are more than places we admire. They are woven into our identity, sustain livelihoods and provide a home for remarkable biodiversity. Yet they face growing pressures from pollution, climate change and human impact.

Protecting these places starts with connection and belonging. When young people have the opportunity to explore, understand and experience the natural world around them, they develop the knowledge and passion to care for it.

That’s why KILT is so passionate about creating opportunities that prepare young people for the future.

Through our Vocational Launch Programme, high-achieving Grade 11 learners pursuing science or business degrees receive additional coaching, life skills training, computer literacy development and mentorship to help them succeed at university and beyond.

We are incredibly proud that a group of young adults from this programme has been selected to participate in the Youth Stewardship Programme, delivered by the Knysna Estuary Research Foundation.

Over the next nine months, they will step beyond the classroom and into one of South Africa’s most remarkable ecosystems. Through hands-on science, outdoor learning and real conservation projects, they will explore the Knysna Estuary, conduct scientific research, develop data analysis skills, build confidence through storytelling and public speaking, and turn knowledge into action.

These young people aren’t simply preparing for university. They are developing the curiosity, skills and confidence to become the next generation of environmental stewards, those who understand the value of the natural world and feel empowered to protect the places they call home.

Congratulations to every participant selected for this incredible opportunity. We cannot wait to see where this journey takes you.

💚💚 Knysna, what is your wish for the future of our estuary? Share it in the comments below, and we’ll make sure these future custodians carry your hopes with them.