At the end of 2007, the Wisdom Keys Foundation was formed as a Section 21 Not for Profit Company. The aim of the organisation is to provide financial assistance to previously disadvantaged individuals in terms of acquiring knowledge and wisdom through either formal studies, mentor programmes or to assist small businesses in achieving a place of wisdom through assistance from the foundation. The Foundation was borne out of the WKG CSI programme which was started in 2004. At this time Wisdom Keys initiated a process to offer financial assistance to scholars seeking assistance through scholarships under a programme we then called the “Strength and Knowledge Programme”. This was aimed at increasing the skills of black students and to motivate them to higher learning. A structure was developed to assist students with funding to earn an academic diploma or degree, at a reputable and accredited learning institution in South Africa and later expanded to include internships for individuals. The Directors of the Foundation are Andrew Fasedemi and Shaun Liedtke; and the members are Sara Butchart, Lebo Motshegoa, Maggie Mareletse, Lindel Pretorius and Nomia Machebe. This team will now sit collectively to decide how the Foundation’s contributions should be deployed. The Foundation’s range of activities includes the following: Scholarship Programme: The successful candidate will receive a scholarship for his / her studies, this amount will cover all expenses relating to the course taken (e.g. registrations, lectures and textbooks). The Foundation will also consider wider scholarships which include learning aids, transport etc. Internship Programme: This programme is provided for individuals that show an interest in studying in the field of Marketing, Communications, Advertising and Business Strategy and who have shown strong academic growth in secondary school, achieved outstanding results against all odds, are determined to succeed in life and have a strong character. The internship programme is for a period of one year and we have expanded the programme to accommodate one intern per year in each of our companies. Entrepreneurial programme: WKG has decided to establish this programme as we are entrepreneurs ourselves and appreciate the challenges faced by small business owners. We will therefore establish a fund from which grants will be made to SMME’s, requiring a cash injection especially for equipment to fulfill business needs or resources and sustain its growth. The business should be a small business (under R10 million turnover) not older than two years, registered with CIPRO, has a valid registration number, a tax clearance certificate and a valid VAT number. The grant will not be given to small businesses to fund their cash-flow problems nor is it a bridging loan. It can however, be granted to small businesses on the win of a specific tender or new business, to execute its services proficiently. Interns benefited from the Wisdom Keys Foundation Internship Programme Petro Kriel – was an intern from December 2007 in MC Consult and then became a Project Assistant for WKG, working on various projects until 2009. Petro completed her BA Marketing Communications Degree with the University of Johannesburg in 2007. Ntombi Sello – was an intern from 2007 to November 2008 in PR Dynamics, Ntombi has completed her Media studies diploma at Boston Media House, majoring in PR and Advertising in 2007 Lumka Fihla – started as an intern in 2002, after 6 months she became a permanent staff member and was appointed Accounts Executive in PR Dynamics. Lumka has studied at Wits Technikon for a Diploma in Public Relations. She was a Senior Consultant in PR Dynamics. Bongani Mthimuye – started as an intern in 2001 to 2002. He was permanently employed as a PR consultant and later as an Events consultant until 2006. Our scholarship Programme beneficiaries: 2010 Delmaine Changelryan (High School) Kyle Klaasen (High School) Lesley Mbuli (3rd Year University National Diploma Local Government Finance) 2009 Delmaine Changelryan (High School) Kyle Klaassen (High School) Lesley Mbuli – 3rd year University: National Diploma Local Government Finance 2008 Lindiwe Magida Matric PC Engineering 2 year course 100% scholarship 2007 Lesly Mulaudzi Matric 50% Scholarship 2006 Eric Kekana 100% scholarship 2005 Condry Phetole Electrical Engineering 3 year course 100% scholarship At this stage we are unfortunately not receiving any further applications for 2011 or 2012.