BUILDING

Last year, we had the privilege of external organisations partnering with the PPS Foundation and providing additional funds enabling it to enhance the achievement of its objectives. This (attracting other organisations to collaborate with it) is to me recognition of and testament to the foundation’s work.

One of the highlights during the past financial year for the PPS Foundation was the Chairman’s Challenge fundraiser. This was initially rolled out to PPS management, staff, and PPS Foundation alumni. The challenge exhorts anybody who wishes to support the work of the foundation to match or better a specific amount as a donation. Last year, we started with a figure of R1 000. This year (2022), the challenge continues and has been extended to anyone who wishes to support our cause. And, though the figure has not changed, it will not remain the same in perpetuity. However, just because you cannot donate R1 000, it does not mean that you cannot donate. Any donation is welcome and every cent counts.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all donors. Your generosity of spirit especially during the prevailing times of economic and financial hardship is greatly appreciated. With additional resources we can do more for those we serve as we build the South Africa we together strive for. This is living the concept of ubuntu in the real sense. Ideally, we would like to diversify our source of funds broadly and not place heavy reliance on our sponsor who has been and is still generous to us. We hope that many more will partner with us on this journey.

In life, most of the learning happens during tough times and 2021 was not an easy year. The resilience of spirit was evident all around us, starting with our beneficiaries, staff and donors. We learnt self-discipline as we were forced to work from home with the many potential distractions such an environment presents. We also learnt to trust ourselves and our beneficiaries to do the right thing even without any close supervision experienced in our “normal” workplaces such as the office or lecture room. We learnt to really care for one another. A phone call or message here and there just to find out how another person was doing meant the world to many. The importance of this was more apparent with our bursary recipients who expressed great appreciation for receiving that one phone call. More importantly, we learnt the difference between “human being” and “being human”.

We learnt how to optimise using technology to achieve our goals, even for those not familiar with its uses. This will stand us in good stead going forward with our work and in our lives.

My message of hope to PPS Foundation staff, beneficiaries, stakeholders, and the public at large is that we emulate our PPS forefathers. As PPS Foundation, let us take a leaf from the founders of PPS – our sponsor – which was founded during the turbulent time of World War II. Despite the situation, the eight founding dentists pursued their vision which still forms the foundation for PPS today. From the humble beginnings of the dreams and hopes of the founders, PPS has grown to be a multibillion Rand entity looking after the financial well-being of graduate professionals in South Africa and beyond. In the five years of its existence, the PPS Foundation has given hope to many beneficiaries that were hopeless – not knowing how they could pursue their educational dreams and life aspirations.

As Jurgen Moltmann said, “To live without hope is to cease to live”. We, at the foundation – together with our various stakeholders – hope that we will emulate the resilience and determination of the founders of PPS as we pursue the objectives of the the PPS Foundation trust, namely, “… to build the professional pipeline, especially the scarce skills professional discipline”, and “… to make a measurable contribution to sustainable development within South Africa’s communities…”.

The horizon may seem dark now, but with hope, there is always a “light at the end of the tunnel”. Despite the many challenges and lows, we are currently experiencing, South Africa will rise like a phoenix. Our graduates will be part of the catalyst. Let us keep the faith and keep hoping.