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Heart Of a Champion® Africa is a non-profit that is dedicated to enhancing education and fostering good character and citizenship in South Africa. LITERACY & NUMERACY + CHARACTER & CITIZENSHIP
Invest in the Future: Sponsor a Teacher Assistant. 100% of public donations go directly to fund Teacher Assistant’s Salaries.
We improve literacy, character & citizenship development, and SEL by employing and deploying Teacher Assistants to under-resourced government schools in South Africa.
HELP ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA. In many schools the teacher to student ration is more than 1:40. Heart Of a Champion® Africa places aspiring teachers in overcrowded classrooms allowing educators to foster holistic education.
"We’re not just building good students, we’re building good people." - Cliff Musamba

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“Empowering the next generation of educators, Heart Of a Champion® Africa places Teacher Assistants in under-resourced schools, reducing class sizes and fostering a holistic learning environment.”

OUR PROGRAMMES

-Placing aspiring teachers in
overcrowded classrooms.
-Fostering literacy and character
development.
-Reducing the student-to-teacher ratio.

-Personalized tutoring for struggling
learners.
-Improving literacy and numeracy
skills.
-Partnering with volunteers for lasting impact.

-Comprehensive curriculum from
preschool to high school.
-Designed to change a school’s
culture and a child’s future.
-Covers both character education and social-emotional learning

OUR WORK

Empowering under-resourced schools with aspiring teachers, we foster holistic learning
environments that prioritize literacy, numeracy, character development, and responsible
citizenship.

Schools in SA have a ratio 1:50+ Student Teacher Ratio.
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Schools in SA have a ratio between 1:40-50 Student Teacher Ratio.
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Our programme aim to employ 600 Teacher Assistants by 2030
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KEY CHALLENGES IN SOUTH AFRICAN EDUCATION

The South African education crisis is complex and urgent. Some critical challenges include:

HOW OUR APPROACH IMPACTS SOUTH AFRICA'S EDUCATION CHALLENGES

Making a Difference: Here’s how our initiatives address key issues in South African education.

OUR MISSION

Founded in 2013, Heart of a Champion® Africa is a South African non-profit empowering education
and fostering good character and citizenship.

OUR TEAM

Building a brighter future together: Meet the passionate team behind Heart of a Champion® Africa.

Cliff Musamba
Steve Riach
Tsakani Solly Baloyi
Yorlanda Dube
Julia Musamba

OUR PARTNERS

Meet our valued partners who share our commitment to South Africa’s education.

Heart of a Champion®
Core Essentials
The Neema Foundation

OUR JOURNEY

From Character Education Resources to Growing Our Impact: Our Journey of Transforming
Education in South Africa

IMPACT OF YOUR PARTNERSHIP

Invest in the Future: Discover how your partnership can propel our impact on South African
education

HOW YOUR ORGANISATION BENEFITS

Unlock Shared Value: Learn how your partnership empowers your organization and strengthens South African education.

OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS

Empowering Schools, Together: Our network of partner schools thrives with your support. Help us grow it further.

MEET SOME OF OUR TEACHER’S ASSISTANTS

Introducing Our Inspiring Team of Teacher Assistants! 100% of your donations fund our Teacher
Assistants, creating youth jobs and brighter futures. Help us reach our goal of 600 Teacher
Assistants by 2030!

Phindile Mazeka
Promise Motha
Pretty Baloyi

GET INVOLVED

There’s a Place for You: Explore the many ways you can support Heart of a Champion® Africa!

I want to Volunteer
I want to Sponsor a Teacher’s Assistant
I want to Sponsor a school

VOLUNTEER VOICES.

The Power of Community: Meet some of the inspiring individuals who are powering change
alongside Heart of a Champion® Africa.

★★★★★ 5/5
“In a world filled with noise and distractions, there is a profound beauty in the simplicity of a child learning to read. It's not merely about recognizing letters and forming words; it's about opening doors to worlds they never knew existed.”
Nomtha
★★★★★ 5/5
“It has been a true privilege to be involved with Heart of a Champion. In an education system where children often slip through the cracks, HOC's initiatives stand out, providing a secure and enjoyable learning space outside the traditional classroom setting.”
Vidhya
★★★★★ 5/5
“I had heard about the reading programme and thought I might help for a term. Turns out that I stayed for the rest of the year. I have learned so much about the struggles that second language learners have, and each time they get a concept I love seeing the confidence that brings them.”
Michelle

STAY IN THE LOOP: GET INSPIRED AND KEEP UP-TO-DATE

Never Miss a Thing: Join our mailing list for news, updates, and opportunities to make a difference in South African education.

GIVE

Support Our Mission
Choose Your Donation Amount and Support Heart of a Champion® Africa.

Got Questions? We've Got Answers: Explore our FAQs for quick answers.

CONTACT US

Office

Beverly AH Fourways Ext 27, 2191 Johannesburg

Let's Talk

+27 71 911 3640

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Copyright © 2024 HOCA Character Education Foundation t/a Heart Of a Champion® Africa.

Heart of a Champion® is a non-profit that is dedicated to enhancing education and fostering good character and citizenship in South Africa through placing aspiring teachers in overcrowded classrooms which fosters literacy and character development. Your donation helps support opening path-changing opportunities for aspiring teacher and helps learners to unlock their potential.

Our Work

In 2022, there were13,419,971 students in South African schools, 30% in Grades R-3, served by 450,993 educators across 24,871 schools. Overall public schools maintained a 1:35 student-toteacher ratio, however 1,298 schools have a ration between 1:40-50. While there is 217 schools that exceed 50 students per teacher.

How We Work

Our approach involves collaborating with under-resourced schools and their School Governing Bodies to tackle issues arising from crowded classrooms. By placing aspiring teachers within these schools, our objective is to enhance not only literacy and numeracy but also character and citizenship development. We place particular emphasis on the foundation phase (Grade R – 3), recognizing the pivotal role that the foundation phase has in establishing the groundwork for a robust educational foundation.

Demonstrating Our Impact

We measure our impact through a three-fold approach: firstly, by reducing the Learner Educator Ratio; secondly, by monitoring improvements in student grades; and thirdly, by quantifying the total number of job opportunities and practical experience created for aspiring educators. Through these metrics, we strive to showcase tangible progress and leave a lasting positive impact on South Africa's education landscape.

Many schools in low-income areas lack basic infrastructure, well-qualified
teachers, and learning resources.

While access to basic education has improved since the
end of apartheid, issues like overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages impact the
overall quality of education in South Africa.

 The quality of teaching is a key determinant of
education quality. The government challenges in training and retaining teachers,
particularly in disadvantaged areas.

In 2021, a study found that 8 out of 10 grade 4
students in South Africa have significant reading problems, and most grade two students
lack basic alphabet knowledge.

Many South African students do not complete their education,
which limits their future prospects. Low graduation rates are a concern in tertiary
education as well

Our Teacher Assistants Programme directly addresses inequality by placing
young aspiring teachers in classrooms at government school. This support is crucial,
especially in schools with overcrowded classrooms and limited resources. By providing
additional help for educators and students, we are working to bridge the resource gap.

Our Teacher Assistants Programme contributes to
improving the quality of education by reducing the student-to-teacher ratio. This means
more individualized attention and support for learners, helping to enhance the overall
quality of education in the school.

By introducing aspiring teachers to the classroom
environment, we offer them practical training and mentorship. This not only helps
address teacher shortages but also ensures that teachers receive on-the-job training and
support.

Our Remedial Literacy and Numeracy Support
program specifically targets low literacy and numeracy levels among foundation phase
learners. The personalized tutoring provided by our volunteers helps struggling students
build essential literacy and numeracy skills, addressing the issues identified in the 2021
study.

By improving literacy and numeracy skills and providing additional
support through our programs, we aim to reduce dropout rates. When students receive
the help they need to succeed academically, they are more likely to stay in school and
complete their education.

About Heart of a Champion® Africa

Established in 2013, HOCA Character Education Foundation t/a Heart of a Champion® Africa is a registered South African nonprofit and Section 18A PBO in addition to being a Level One B-BBEE Contributor.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to positively impact South Africa by enhancing education and fostering good
character and citizenship.

Education Enhancement:

We improve literacy, character development, and citizenship education by employing and
deploying Teacher Assistants to under-resourced government schools in South Africa, bolstering the capacity for holistic and personalized support to young learners.

team-cliff-new-250x300
Cliff Musamba

Cliff Musamba is a dedicated advocate for Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) in Africa,
driven by his passion to bridge the gap between literacy and character development. With over
12 years of diverse professional experience encompassing coaching, sport administration,
marketing, research, NGOs, and teaching, Cliff has emerged as a leading figure in the field of
Character Education in South Africa.

His career journey began as a baseball coach, where he soon realized his deeper interest lay in
nurturing the character of his players rather than solely focusing on their athletic skills. This
realization led to the establishment of Heart of a Champion Africa (HOCA) a non-profit
organization committed to comprehensive CCE.

Cliff’s advocacy for character development extends beyond the classroom. He envisions a
brighter future for Africa by shaping stronger schools and communities. His mission includes
persuading African governments to incorporate Character and Citizenship Education into their
curricula, transcending borders to impact lives across the continent.

Born in Zimbabwe and primarily based in South Africa, Cliff’s global perspective has been
enriched by experiences in the USA, Cuba, Singapore, and Japan. These experiences have
fuelled his belief that CCE is pivotal in unlocking the full potential of Africa’s youth.

Cliff Musamba’s vision is for all African children to have access to high-quality CCE, believing
that it holds the key to cultivating successful citizens who can make a positive impact on
multiple countries. His long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. that bridges the realms of Education,
Character, Citizenship, and International Relations.

Steve Riach
STEVE RIACH is an award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, speaker, and subject matter expert in culture issues. He is also the founder of a national nonprofit that is impacting the lives of underserved youth.
 
The lead producer and co-writer of the soon to be released dramatic feature film, ONE HEART, Steve is a writer/director/producer, whose documentary films and television programs have been distributed through ESPN, FOX Sports, NBC, and a variety of broadcast, digital platforms, and cable television outlets.
He has produced content around the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA and NCAA Championships, NASCAR, major golf tournaments and college football Bowl Games; and has worked with legendary sports figures such as Joe Gibbs, Tom Landry, John Wooden and Pete Maravich.
For the past 30 years, he has produced and directed The Bart Starr Award live on the site of the Super Bowl. He was the story producer on the groundbreaking 2018 Amazon Prime series All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines.
He has produced and directed a number of documentary films, including With Open Eyes, documenting the conflict in Sudan; Minister of Defense: The Reggie White Story, profiling the late, great pro football star; Spirit of the Game, a film profiling more than 20 of the NFL’s top role models; Driving Force, providing an inside look at the men behind the wheel in NASCAR; Give Me the Rock, and Hoop Heroes, each of which profiled over a dozen NBA stars; Making the Turn, going inside the lives of 15 of the world’s top golfers; Heading for Home, focusing on the top players in Major League Baseball; Passion & Power, profiling top female Olympians from around the world; Reversing the Curse, covering the Boston Red Sox incredible run to a World Series title in 2004; and Sammy Sosa: Making History, on the baseball slugger’s pursuit of the Major League home run record.
As an author, Steve has written 18 books, including the bestseller, Amazing but True Sports Stories. He also created Heart of a Champion, a personal development and social and emotional intelligence training system, that has produced dramatic success with Fortune 500 companies, schools, sports teams and other audiences.
Steve is the founder of the Heart of a Champion and the One Heart Project, a national nonprofit devoted to providing youthful offenders and underserved youth with the tools, skills and healthy relationships necessary to experience a true second chance in life.
The success of these initiatives has led to Steve being honored at the White House and testifying before the United States congress.
A cancer survivor and a former college baseball player at the University of the Pacific, Steve speaks to conference audiences, universities, corporate groups and churches. He and his family reside in Colleyville, Texas.
More information on Steve and his work is available at
www.steveriach.com
and
 
www.oneheart.com
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Tsakani Solly Baloyi

Tsakani Solly Baloyi is a seasoned educator and youth pastor currently serving as the Director of
Heart of a Champion® Africa, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. With a rich background in
teaching and community service, brings over 7 years of experience in shaping young minds and
lives in the townships of Johannesburg.

Growing up in Tembisa/South Africa, Tsakani was deeply moved by the challenges faced by the
youth in underprivileged communities. This inspired to pursue a career in education, and he is
currently studying a BA in Communication Science and Industrial and Organizational Psychology
where he could make a meaningful difference. His journey began as a teacher, where he quickly
recognised the importance of not only importing academic knowledge but also fostering strong
character and citizenship values among students.

Tsakani’s passion for youth development led him to take on the role of a youth pastor, further
enriching his experience in guiding and mentoring young individuals. He strongly believes in the
transformative power of education and the crucial role it plays in building resilient and
empowered communities.

At Heart of a Champion® Africa, Tsakani focuses on developing and implementing programs that
bridge the gap between academic learning and character building approach, aiming to equip
young people with the skills and values necessary to navigate life’s challenges and contribute
positively to society.

Under his leadership, Heart of a Champion® Africa has made significant strides in promoting
character and Citizenship Education, with a vision to expand its reach and impact throughout
South Africa and beyond. Tsakani’s commitment to nurturing future generations is unwavering,
as he continues to advocate for the integration of character education in schools and
communities across Africa.

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Yorlanda Dube

Yorlanda Dube, with a wealth of expertise in education and a strong commitment to fostering
healthy parent-teacher relationships, serves as the Director of Communications and
Stakeholder Relations at Heart of a Champion® Africa Foundation. Her extensive experience
spans across teaching, educational leadership, and strategic roles within an examination board,
providing her with a unique perspective on educational excellence and community engagement.

Having started her career as a dedicated teacher, Yorlanda quickly recognized the vital role of
effective communication and partnership between educators and parents. This insight propelled
her towards educational leadership, where she pioneered initiatives aimed at enhancing
collaboration between schools and families. Her efforts were instrumental in bridging gaps and
fostering a supportive environment conducive to student success.

In her current role at Heart of a Champion® Africa Foundation, Yorlanda is responsible for
spearheading parent relations – a cornerstone in the organization’s mission to improve
education quality. She is passionate about empowering parents, equipping them with the
knowledge and tools needed to actively participate in their children’s education journey. Her
innovative strategies have been pivotal in building stronger school communities, thereby
enhancing the overall educational experience.

Yorlanda’s approach is rooted in the belief that effective parent-teacher partnerships are key to
nurturing well-rounded, confident students. With a focus on collaborative efforts and open
communication, she continues to lead initiatives that promote understanding and cooperation
between educators and families.

Through her leadership at Heart of a Champion® Africa, Yorlanda aims to transform the
educational landscape by fostering relationships that support and enhance the growth and
development of young learners across South Africa.

Julia Musamba

Julia Musamba is an accomplished professional in human resources and operations
management, currently serving as the Director at HOCA. With a strong foundation in
Organizational Psychology and Industrial Sociology from the University of Cape Town, Julia is a
seasoned leader at the forefront of operational excellence within the NGO sector.
Committed to women’s empowerment and advocacy, Julia is dedicated to creating opportunities
through targeted training and upskilling programs, elevating the roles of women in both society
and the workforce. Her initiatives not only fortify the position of women but also significantly
contribute to the overall development of communities served by HOCA.

In her role, Julia excels in fostering a culture of inclusivity and development. She believes in the
power of diversity and continuous growth for a robust organization. Her holistic approach to
human resource management emphasizes nurturing talent and providing avenues for both
professional and personal advancement.

Julia has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing policies that reflect her commitment
to progressive values. She envisions an environment at HOCA where every team member feels
valued and is equipped with the tools to succeed, contributing to the organization’s goal of making
a positive and lasting impact in the communities served.

Through her strategic and empathetic leadership, Julia Musamba is not only enhancing HOCA’s
operational efficiency but also setting new standards in organizational excellence and social
responsibility

Heart of a Champion®

Heart of a Champion seeks to transform culture by providing the necessary resources to educate, motivate and empower students, teachers, families and groups in core principles essential to lifetime personal development and maximized performance.

https://heartofachampion.org/

Core Essentials

At Core Essential Values, we believe that the use of a common language of monthly values and their life applications (or bottom lines) within a preschool has the power to change behavior, enhance relationships, and foster academic growth…even with 3- year-olds!

https://coreessentials.org/

The Neema Foundation

The Neema Foundation was unable to source affordable appropriate foundational reading material for learners struggling in this area and so, over the years, we have developed our own very effective, low cost programme called “Gateway into Reading”. This is a syllabus teaching foundational reading and spelling in English, developing basic skills in word recognition and deciphering. Gateway into Reading is endorsed by key educationalists.

https://www.neemafoundation.co.z/

We started HOCA purely as character education resource company. It started with our High School curriculum that we launched in 2014. The feedback we got from schools was often, “we love the curriculum but we curriculum and our children need this. But we don’t have time to implement this well. Our teacher are stretched.” If you can teacher the programme we would be happy to give you the children.

A notable achievement in our approach is our partnership with Witkoppen Primary School in our Remedial Literacy Programme, which has successfully increased literacy and numeracy levels in the foundation phase. We have worked with WPS for the past six years. Three years ago we employed our first Teacher Assistants. Today our initiative has grown from having one Teacher
Assistant to employing three foundation phase teachers in 2023.

Elevate Education Quality:

• Your support enhances the quality of education.
• Students receive one-on-one assistance, ensuring their success.

Empower Holistic Teaching:

• Partnering with us allows teachers to adopt a holistic approach to education.
• More capacity for teachers to provide a well-rounded learning experience.

Lasting Change:

• Your support isn't just an investment; it's a commitment to lasting change.
• Be a part of shaping the future of South Africa's education system.

B-BBEE Empowerment:

• HOCA is a Level 1 B-BBEE NPO/NPC/PBO, offering opportunities for private companies to gain socio-economic development recognition under the B-BBEE Act through their support.

Tax Deductible Donations:

• HOCA is a SARS registered Section 18A PBO, ensuring that your donations are tax-deductible.

Youth Empowerment:

• Your sponsorship directly supports job creation for South African youth, offering valuable work experience to young aspiring teachers.

Direct Education Impact:

• Your support isn't just an investment; it's a commitment to creating lasting change and shaping the future of South Africa's education system. Your sponsorship has a direct impact.

Witkoppen Primary School…

Phindile Mazeka

Meet Phindile, a dedicated Teacher’s Assistant at Heart of a Champion, currently making a difference at Witkoppen Primary School.
Originating from the vibrant Eshowe village in KwaZulu-Natal, Phindile’s path to education is both fascinating and inspiring. Phindile engages one-on-one with children across various
classroom and extracurricular settings. This personalized approach has led to notable improvements, particularly through weekly reading groups that spark students’ interest in diverse literary works. Under the
guidance of seasoned teachers, Phindile also ensures the classroom environment remains clean, safe, and welcoming for all learners.

Promise

Introducing Promise Motha, a committed Teacher Assistant at Heart of a Champion. Originating from Mpumalanga’s Driefontein and raised in Orange Farm, Vaal, Promise embarked on an educational journey fueled by a deep desire to elevate underprivileged schools. They staunchly believe in the transformative power of tailored support within the classroom. Promise’s ultimate aim is to cultivate an environment where every student can flourish, guided by the principle, “Empower Minds, Ignite Futures.” Let’s applaud Promise Motha for their remarkable dedication and the significant impact they continue to have every day.

Pretty Baloyi

Meet Nyikiwe Pretty Baloyi, a passionate Foundation Teacher creating a nurturing space for young learners. Committed to their crucial development, Pretty brings a strong educational background and actively
seeks professional growth. With experience from diverse classrooms and a knack for innovative teaching, she caters to individual needs and fosters positive relationships with all. Pretty’s engaging lessons use hands-on activities and technology,
showcasing her adaptability and willingness to embrace new methods. Eager to make a lasting impact, Pretty aspires for leadership roles to advocate for the importance of foundational education.

It costs R82500 per year.

We work in schools where 1, there is a need and 2. the schools and SGB are interested in
receiving the kind of help we offer.

Yes, but ultimately the school and it governing body needs to indicate that the assistance we are
is desired. We want to honour the people we help. We will only help those who want the help we
offer.

Our annual reports in available at the beginning of February each year

Yes, but prior arrangements need to be made between HOCA and the school. Sponsors are not
allowed to visit schools on their own.

Yes, but prior arrangements need to be made between HOCA and .the school. Sponsors are not
allowed to visit schools on their own.

Teacher Assistant contracts are typically for one year. We may also fill open positions throughout the year based on school needs and funding.

Project duration varies, but we typically review annually. We continue projects based on school needs and availability of funding.

The income Tax Act allows registered Public Benefit Organisations to issue Section 18A tax
deduction certificates allowing the donor to reduce their tax payable. This deduction applies to
both individuals and corporate.

HOCA can help your business maximise points on your B-BBEE scorecard under the Socio
Economic Development (SED/CSI) element. Contact us for documentation for all corporate
donations.

Please contact our executive director at info (at) heartofachampionafrica.org.za to request
company details.

Please contact our executive director at info (at) heartofachampionafrica.org.za to find out how
how you or your organisation can partner with us on this most valuable project.