The hidden teachers: How an NPO is stepping up to bridge SA’s education gap

By Anna Foundation

Marius September was a learner at an Anna Foundation after-school and he is now a facilitator at the same after-school. Photo: Carla Briers

Over 80% of South African Grade 4 learners are unable to read with understanding. By Grade 6, 70% of pupils are still struggling, according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

World Teachers’ Day on 5 October is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing our schooling system, but the Western Cape-based non-profit organisation, Anna Foundation, is working to change the narrative. Through their 3R’s Programme – Reading (Education), Running (Sport), and Right-ing (Life Skills) – the Foundation trains and employs community members from rural areas to run after-school projects for children.

“When a child cannot read, it is not just their education that suffers. Doors to opportunities close, and communities across South Africa are left with unfulfilled potential,” says Marike Pienaar (47), Senior Education Project Manager at the Anna Foundation.

The Anna Foundation was started 20 years ago to address the education crisis and to provide learners on farms with opportunities for educational support, sports and life skills. The organisation currently manages 21 after-schools, which serve more than 800 learners each day.

Anna Foundation focuses on teaching rural children to read with understanding and to understand basic maths concepts.

“Many schools struggle with inadequate infrastructure, leading to large class sizes that hinder effective teaching and learning. Teachers often face heavy workloads and limited resources, which impacts the quality of their teaching” says Pienaar.

The Foundation trains rural women as educators, turning community members into facilitators who guide children after school, teach life skills, and create safe, nurturing spaces.

“It is always nice if you can help a child with Mathematics, English, Afrikaans or any of their subjects. When they finally understand it, you see how their faces light up!” says Katy Booysen (46), who has been a facilitator at Neethlingshof after-school for more than ten years.

Her son, Wesley Booysen (23), was also a learner at Neethlingshof. Today he works at the Fire and Rescue Service in Stellenbosch. “I always looked forward to after-school. In primary school I was a top student, but in high school I struggled. The Anna Foundation helped me get back on track and become disciplined,” he says.

Training is a big part of the Foundation’s work. The education team presents facilitator training sessions every two weeks across four regions: Boland, Rawsonville, Elgin and Langeberg. These sessions focus on helping facilitators use play-based methods to make schoolwork easier for the learners, while also building their skills to guide sport and life skills activities.

“Children learn best when they are curious, engaged and asking questions. After a long school day they are tired, so learning through play is far more effective than traditional teaching methods like worksheets,” says Pienaar.

Facilitator Ayola Noyakaza (24) agrees. “I’m not really that good at maths, but the educational games make it easier for the children to learn and for us to teach,” says Noyakaza, who works at one of the Foundation’s after-schools.

Through the sport programme, learners attend cycling events and fun runs. “The Anna Foundation opened up a new world for me and I loved attending the runs and sport events,” says Marius September (21).

Marius was a previous learner and participant in the Foundation’s 3R’s Programme. Today he is studying law through Rosebank College and is also a facilitator at the after-school he attended as a child. “I loved travelling to new places with the Foundation. We left Paarl and Cape Town to visit places I had only dreamed of. It became real for me,” he says.

Inspired by his teaching experience, September plans to study education after finishing his law qualification. “At first I was nervous about managing large groups, but with the skills I’ve learned I now teach with confidence. I am proud to have made a difference in children’s lives,” he adds.

By investing in rural facilitators like Marius and women like Booysen, the Anna Foundation tackles two challenges at once: children gain support while facilitators gain skills and career paths.

This World Teachers’ Day, the Anna Foundation celebrates its facilitators, ordinary people doing extraordinary work, reshaping South Africa’s education.

The Anna Foundation currently has 21 after-schools, which hosts more than 800 learners across rural communities of the Western Cape daily.

How to support the Anna Foundation

The Anna Foundation is dependent on donations to keep its doors open and continue supporting children in rural communities. Every contribution helps open opportunities for both the children and the rural facilitators guiding them. To get involved or make a donation, email info@annafoundation.com or donate online at https://annafoundation.com/how-to-donate/