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creating
opportunity
for growth

Our Journey

Milestones over the past decade

2014

 

  • Recruited first 10 students.
  • Jan – Started partnership with Murray High School.
  • Established base at Equine Librium Farm thanks to family Van Der Sijde.

2015

 

  • Expanded to 15 Students.
  • Registered as a Charity with Board of Trustees.
  • Tsitsikama MTB Challenge is 1st Race.
  • Team to Sani2C multi-day race… 60th out of 600 teams.

2016

 

  • Expanded to 25 Students.
  • Re-located Program to Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm…Thanks to Andrew Hill.
  • Established partnership with Specialized for bicycles.
  • Nov – Recruited Sipho Mthembu as Cycling Program Leader.

2017

 

  • Expanded to 30 students.
  • Jan – Moved the program to Murray High School within the Kwanokathula community.
  • Sent teams to several local & national events: Karoo2Coast, W2W, Origin of Trails.
  • 1st podium… 2nd at Sabrina Love MTB race.
  • Received 2 Watt Bikes… donated by WattBike SA.

2018

 

  • Expanded the program to 35 and included girls

  • Buffalo Foundation select Kwano Academy as major beneficiary.

  • June – Nicky Giliomee (female Pro) talks and rides with the girls.

  • July – Recruited 1st teacher to start the Academic Program.

  • Placed 3rd out of 14 schools in Southern Cape Spur Series

  • Velotech UK held an 8 day Bike Mechanics course at the Academy.

2019

 

  • Jan – Students attend Leadership Camp at Ingwe.
  • Expanded the program to 50 students… 30% females.
  • Mar – Student wins “King of the Mountains” at Cape Rouleur Road Race.
  • Buffalo Foundation sponsored Kwano Team for Jo’burg2C.
  • Jul – Student won the London2Paris U23 category.
  • Oct – Student won the Rainmaker Rollercoaster Gravel Race.
  • 1st Academy Electrical Apprenticeship started.
  • Established Kwano Parents group

2020

 

  • Maintained program at 50 students, froze recruitment due to Covid.
  • Academy complied with Covid protocols and adapted academic offerings.
  • Distributed Masks & sanitization materials.
  • Apr & Dec – Distribution of food hampers to all Academy families.
  • Received Section 18A approval from SARS.
  • Recruited experienced math teacher to join academic staff.
  • Expansion plans deferred due to Covid.
  • Alumnus joined Exxaro Academy with Post High School scholarship.
  • 100% pass rate for Matric students.

2021

 

  • Expanded the program to 65 students.
  • Acquired new laptops via the Click Foundation.
  • Squirt sponsor Academy team to race the W2W 3 day event.
  • 100% pass rate for Matric students.

2022

 

  • Expanded the program to 78 students.
  • Launched Kwano wine in partnership with Muratie Wine Estate as fund raiser.
  • Expanded the Kwano Board from 3 to 11 members… skills and structure for growth.
  • 100% pass rate for Matric students.
  • Initiated land search in Kwanokathula for the dedicated Academy Facility.
  • Valedictorian had A & A+ in all subjects all year.
  • Placed 3rd out of 15 Schools in Southern Cape MTB Series.
  • Kwano had a team riding in Tour de Tuli, Thanks to David Evans.
  • Welcomed HPE to the “Friends of Kwano” as a major donor.

2023

 

  • Expanded the program to 100 students.
  • Recruited additional teachers, English and Math.
  • Placed 2nd out of 15 schools in Southern Cape MTB Series.

  • Yona Martin selected to represent Southern Cape at Nationals.

  • Kwano student, Bulela Mbala received a scholarship to Rondebosch Boys High School.

“ Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace. ”

 – Confucious