At the PPS Foundation, we hold a belief that education is the cornerstone of success. We are driven to contribute to the growth and development of South Africa through skills development, ensuring that the youth of today are not only the leaders of tomorrow but are also empowered to lead in the present. Our strategic vision is to journey with our young people from their early educational stages through to their professional careers, maintaining a lifelong relationship that encourages them to "pay it forward" and support future generations of professionals.

In 2023 we witnessed several key milestones that exemplify our annual report theme, "Empowering Minds, Building Success". Nineteen of our bursary-funded students completed their studies, marking a significant achievement in our efforts to support higher education.

Beyond providing bursaries, we actively worked with universities to create conducive learning environments through our University Support Programme. This year, we launched the Careers Centre at the University of Fort Hare. We also partnered with the University of the Western Cape to host a careers day, which successfully attracted many students, raising awareness of potential career paths and professional opportunities.

Our commitment to education, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields where there is a dire need in our country, remains resolute. To ensure our activities align with this mission and deliver meaningful outcomes, we employ robust oversight and governance strategies. Our comprehensive risk management system enables the Board to review and address potential risks, ensuring the sustainability and impact of our programmes.

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our initiatives to further enhance our impact on education and professional development. Historically, our focus has been on university students and institutions but we recognise the importance of capacity-building initiatives in the broader education space. We are planning to include teacher education with a particular focus on mathematics and science teaching. Moreover, we will be taking over the management of the Cultivating Tomorrow’s Professionals programme from PPS Advisory Services and Enablement. This programme is dedicated to mathematics education and life skills training for selected Grade 11 and 12 learners, helping them maximise their potential and access key professions.

Through these expanded activities, we continue to embody our founding objective of enhancing access to the STEM fields while significantly contributing to the sustainable development of South African communities.

Our successes have been made possible by the collective efforts of our stakeholders, dedicated staff, esteemed board of trustees, our beneficiaries, PPS members and the wider community. Their continued support and partnership are vital in shaping the future of the PPS Foundation and in realising our goal of nurturing the potential of the youth for generations to come.

Securing funding for students remains a significant challenge in South Africa and we are confident in the continued support from our community. To maximise the PPS Foundation’s impact, we urge all organisations and individuals to contribute through our user-friendly and enhanced donation platforms.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership on this journey.