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Nelson Mandela Day held at FJL Wells School of Music in Bhogweni Village, Randfontein

gavin watson

Think of it like this: Our pursuit of excellence is the Holy Grail of Bosasa business ethos. And it has earned us the PLATINUM SPONSOR AWARD. It is therefore no-wonder that we would come to our delicately considered decision to sponsor a disadvantaged music school in Bhongweni Village, Randfontein. It also attests to our long standing history with people development, something Papa Leshabane, Bosasa Executive Director of communications, says is our passion.  Bhongweni is an old Robinson mine village whose name means a place of pride. Students here now have more of what they will be proud. As they received their good fortune on behalf of their school on Mandela Day, they delivered an emotional choral rendition in which they sang of Bosasa as their angel of mercy. Who wouldn’t? Their student fees for the year have been paid in full. Brand new musical instruments awaited their talented hands and fine-tuned ears for good music. Bosasa has also paid entrance fees to a music competition. Talk of prayers been answered. All that is left of them is to let the music play, as legendary Motown muso, "Big Buzzer" Barry White has inspired.
Our decision to sponsor the school is backed by conclusive studies that repeatedly prove that students who play music instruments perform considerably better in Maths and Science than students who are not accorded this opportunity.

Our timing was ideal. Giving on Mandela Day was awash with opportunity to share. We were able to share the values by which we live and do business. One could readily draw demonstrable similarities between the values of which Mandela is an embodiment and lessons from our values.

Thandi Makoko, Chairperson of Bosasa Youth Development Centres and Executive Director of the Bosasa board put it to the gathered music students in words that would find eternity in them. Says she: "I want to tell you about the values by which Mandela lived. The values of Ubuntu (humility). Today we are planting seeds that we want to see grow through you. The seeds for making a difference.

"Spend time with an elderly person. Read to them. Do good. Serve others. There’s an old age home, an orphanage, a school for the handicapped that you can visit and help out. Live in harmony and in peace."

At his turn to advance his unique yet admirable brand of goodwill, Gavin Watson, Bosasa Group Chief Executive, shared his life’s lessons that have carried him. He displayed a profound gesture of compassion. Delivering his message first in English, then interspersed with isiXhosa, he brought lumps to many a throat and eyes welled up with tears. His message of sharing resonated deeply with the students. His testimony was one to give hope that there was success beyond humble beginnings. The restless excitement among the students revealed a deep-seated expression of appreciation in ways more than words could master. His talk was of the ilk for which event organisers would pay fees in their thousands. Motivation from a CEO of one of the most successful companies does not come cheap considering how far he has come. "Anyone can be anything," he said matter-of-factly.

"Apply your mind and apply yourself correctly, then you can be who you want to be."

"Share, work, develop among each other."

"Control your environment. Do not allow it to control you."

With that said, Thandi Makoki, Gavin Watson and then Jackie Leyds melodiously singing from the same hymn sheet, the Golden Mean Spiral showed a crispy clear connection of the Bosasa board to its values. And being the driver of this generous gesture, Jackie Leyds was best placed to speak of dreams that could not wait another day. "You must start living your dreams today!"
The joy of receiving new instruments can easily supersede the primary objective for being in school in the first place - to obtain an education. And being mindful of such an undesirable eventuality, Leshabane was on hand in being a sounding board: "We want to see a correlation between your music and academic excellence. Pass first in class."
Leshabane’s vision of how he sees the sponsorship playing itself out is explicit: "I see this working in the same way as the NBA scholarship. Basketball players in the NBA have degrees because their scholarships are for studying while they play basketball. You must do the same. Do well academically so you can earn your musical sponsorship."

Surely this event would have come to naught without the backing of the Department of Education, a key cog in the educational development of the students. District Official and SGB chairman, Benedict Moeng fittingly summed it all as he implored the students: "You have the right to education. However, you must take responsibility for this right and all other rights for which Mandela fought." 

Our hand of goodwill received, in turn, another deserving hand. Bosasa was bestowed with the PLATINUM SPONSOR AWARD for being the top most sponsor of the school. We were also awarded the Freedom of FJL Wells School in the same manner that resembles when Nelson Mandela was awarded the Freedom of Cities around the world including Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Amsterdam and New York City.

Now that you could think of it, you could see where our pursuit of excellence meets our business ethos and therefore our values. We know that what our directors gave on Mandela Day was more than 67 minutes of their time. They gave a lifetime investment. It is Thandi Makoko with whom I find a compelling conclusion:  "These musical instruments are an investment in you. Look after them for other children that will come after you. Do it for South Africa. Let your light shine. Mandela Day should not be a one day affair." Talk about a gift that keeps on giving.

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