Bateleur Capital Foundation

Transformation through education. The Bateleur Capital Foundation Trust was established in 2014 to uplift previously disadvantaged individuals and communities, and make a positive social contribution. The foundation has a specific focus on education as we believe that education, training and development is the foundation upon which real transformation of the country can succeed.

BURSARY AND GRADUATE ACADEMY PROGRAMMES

Our investment in education is a powerful, constructive tool to directly combat unemployment and skills shortages in South Africa. Since 2016, our bursary programme has supported 11 students, totaling 18 years of tertiary education at top universities. Furthermore, seven graduates have successfully completed our highly-regarded academy intern programme. This programme offers comprehensive work experience and mentorship while recipients study for their Chartered Financial Analyst qualifications. As a boutique fund manager, we provide unique access to all levels of the business – a benefit interns wouldn’t typically receive at larger institutions.

SHEholders: WOMEN IN FINANCE COMPETITION

South Africa celebrates Women’s Month in August, recognizing women as active agents of change and commemorating the 1956 anti-Pass Law march. In line with this, Bateleur Capital hosts the SHEholders competition with female students in the Applied Investments course at UCT. The goal is to provide practical stock market experience to complement their theoretical knowledge. Bateleur Capital funds the purchase of two stocks for each student, over 70% of whom had never bought a share before. The program culminates in cash prizes for the top-performing stocks and students, successfully aligning with the company’s educational objectives.

MASICORP AND THE MASIPHUMELELE COMMUNITY

Masicorp, established in 1999, works to uplift the Masiphumelele community by building a framework for progress out of poverty. They offer educational and skills training across all age groups, from Early Childhood Development to adult professional training. Since 2014, Bateleur Capital has partnered with Masicorp, supporting programs like sports, maths, and science learning labs at Ukhanyo Primary School, as well as funding educare centres. Bateleur currently sponsors a classroom at the recently renovated Sunnydale Educare facility, which accommodates 120 young children. The long-term plan is to develop this site into the Masicorp Education Centre – a multipurpose hub for lifelong education.

GREAT COMMISSION UNITED ACADEMY

GCU was founded in 2001 by a former gang member, Mario van Niekerk, to provide youth in the impoverished Heideveld community with a positive alternative to drugs and gangsterism. Initially a football club, GCU has expanded to focus on education and sport. Its core activities include literacy programs, after-school tutoring, life skills workshops, and a football club with 200 players. After a large-scale feeding scheme during Covid, GCU is returning focus to its core. Bateleur is supporting the expansion of GCU’s crèche facility, having helped purchase the land in 2019. Bateleur will fund the construction of two additional classrooms to help the crèche accommodate up to 120 young learners.

PORTIA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Portia Primary School, established in 1969 in Lansdowne, is committed to nurturing a mind to learn, a desire to live, and a heart to love. Embracing ‘Africanacity’, the school has 704 learners of 11 nationalities from diverse, disadvantaged communities. The school focuses on whole child development through a strong co- and extra-curricular program. Beyond traditional subjects, students engage in coding, robotics, science club, chess, and drama. Funding from Bateleur Capital has been allocated to key areas: infrastructure, technology integration, extracurricular programs, and career guidance.

SURFPOP AND HOME FROM HOME

Bateleur Capital teamed up with Surfpop and Home from Home to sponsor a joyful surf day for orphaned children. Surfpop runs a safe and stimulating after-school program, combining surfing, education, life coaching, and nutrition to help vulnerable children overcome trauma and prepare for sustainable employment. Home from Home provides community-based foster care for orphaned, abused, or neglected children who are taken into its network of small family homes in disadvantaged communities. The shared goal is to create families for vulnerable children,, enabling them to become healthy, well-adjusted adults who contribute positively to society.

ZEEKOEVLEI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Zeekoevlei Primary serves the Lotus River area, a community marked by severe socio-economic decline, high unemployment and crime, leading to extremely high school dropout rates – some as early as Grade 3. Over 75% of the 937 learners live in informal settlements, and most parents rely on income grants. The No-Fees school, established in 1975, provides free education and daily support, including feeding 500 children twice a day. Educators support impoverished, neglected, and abused children from uneducated homes. Over half the learners are unsocialized, having missed preparatory schooling, and many are categorized with special needs.

THE GOOD START TRUST BREAKFAST CLUB

The Good Start Trust aims to improve the learning experience for South African primary school children. Its Breakfast Club initiative feeds up to 500 disadvantaged children daily at two Cape Town schools. At Good Hope Seminary Junior School, many students travel long distances, often waking at 4:30AM without eating. Educators found that these hungry children struggled to concentrate, hindering learning. Launched in 2016, the program provides 350 learners with a healthy breakfast of nutrient-dense e’Pap and fresh fruit every school morning. The school reports that the program has proven to help children focus and achieve improved learning outcomes.