A letter from our outgoing CEO – Taryn Casey
November 4, 2022
Our new documentary: Kwazilience
November 5, 2022
“Growing up I have always been driven by the notion that the Education profession is a vehicle for all professions. I remember just how I admired the young teachers that came into my school. I knew then that I wanted to grow up and be a teacher. I got to University with quite impressive grades; I could have done any other course. All my peers were opting for other courses that then were perceived to be more superior to Education. I was convinced this was my calling and as soon as I started with my B.Ed; I knew my desire to become a teacher was fulfilled. I put as my lifelong challenge to work up my career ladder until I could ultimately get to where I wanted to be in life. My dad always said I had the charisma and energy of a leader; as a child I never quite understood what he meant by that. But as a young teacher; it started to make sense; I knew my journey was never going to end there. I wanted to make sure that I could pass a strong message to the young generation that you can do anything that you want with any profession you choose in life. Twenty years since my first degree here I am; started off as a teacher, spread my wings into other avenues in Education. My focus has always been in the Education space across different disciplines – ECD, Children with Disability, Policy, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Education Management and more closely across different phases of school from ECD, Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, and Senior Phase in Primary school as well as in Secondary school. And what a fulfilling journey it has been; I feel like I have run a full cycle! My name is Setungoane “Stu" Letsatsi, for the past 6 weeks I have enjoyed my new role as CEO of an exceptional organization, Edufundi. In the past few weeks; I have learned so much about the organisation that I have come to call home.
My career aspirations were clear – I have always wanted to be in the education profession. I wanted to contribute towards eradicating the ills of the education system, I wanted to have a voice in shaping the future of our children; ensure that they reach their full potential; that they are prepared for the world. The journey that I have walked for the past 20 years has prepared me to assume my role as a CEO and the timing couldn’t have been more appropriate.
I value the journey that this organization has taken over the past few years, especially from 2014 onwards when a major shift was made in leadership. I look back in awe and I value all the efforts that have gone into shaping Edufundi into what it is today. Translating that into my new role, my focus in the next few years is on the outcomes and results of the current 3 year Programme we are implementing. Edufundi is currently well placed to consolidate all the lessons gathered over the years and the next 3 years will be consolidation years where we truly implement our Edufundi Support Program and create our niche in the education industry. My role is in ensuring that the vision of the organization is kept ablaze and in check in the process. We will be very robust in collecting all evidence to prove that our model is efficient in improving teaching practice and ultimately ensuring that all learners in primary schools are prepared to reach their full potential. I am excited about being the driving force behind this great initiative and look forward to sharing the expertise I have gained over the years.
My goal is to continue nourishing the relationships we, as Edufundi, have maintained over the years through our funders and our partners in implementing the Programme. I am also challenged to build more exciting relationships that will continue to move us towards our aspired vision.
Change is inevitable and can go either way. For the change that I am experiencing now, I am appreciative of the support that I’ve been receiving from my Board of Directors and the rest of the Edufundi team – The whole team promises to be one that is keen to constantly provide leadership in assessing the direction and strategy of the organisation. I am motivated by the leadership Taryn, my predecessor, has provided to bring the organisation to where it is today and commit to continue the legacy and make Edufundi even better and bigger. My biggest aspiration in my new role is to protect and embrace the values that Edufundi stands for and to take the organization to greater heights."
