Diepdale Secondary School, located in the heart of Diepkloof, Soweto, has achieved an outstanding Grade 12 pass rate of 90.8%, marking a significant improvement of 13.4% compared to the previous year. This remarkable accomplishment not only surpasses the national average of 82.9% but also places the school at number two in the circuit. Allianz Commercial South Africa, through its social responsibility programs, has played a pivotal role in this achievement.
The Grade 12 class of 2023, the first cohort to fully benefit from Allianz Commercial’s comprehensive programs throughout their time in high school since 2018, has demonstrated the power of hard work, collaboration, and dedication. Over the past five years, Diepdale Secondary School has received support from Allianz Commercial, in partnership with NGOs such as the SA Medical and Education Foundation and 1st Things 1st, primarily through Allianz Groupās Social Impact Fund. These programs have focused on enhancing infrastructure, technology, academics, sports, and extramural activities.
Johannes Munakisi, Principal of Diepdale Secondary School, expressed his pride in the class of 2023’s accomplishments, stating, “I am very proud of what the class of 2023 has achieved. The Maths and Science results have improved significantly because of the impact of the Allianz Commercial programs. This cohort was in Grade 8 when Allianz partnered with the school and were therefore able to benefit fully from the programs. So, we are grateful for Allianz’s support over the past five years.”
Allianz Commercial South Africa’s CEO, Thusang Mahlangu, shared his excitement about the school’s remarkable results, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and community involvement. He stated, “I am very thrilled with these results, which is the highest the school has achieved since Allianz’s involvement. It proves that when there is commitment from the teachers, parents, wider community, and NGOs, success is guaranteed. It is through these strong partnerships and pulling together in the same direction that has resulted in the positive trajectory from around 50% to over 90%. Like the old African saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.'”
The impact of Allianz Commercial’s programs extends beyond academic achievements. Amanda Sebolai, Managing Director of 1st Things 1st, commended Allianz’s dedication to sustainability goals and their integrated program, stating, “It is so refreshing to work with Allianz; they are dedicated to their sustainability goals, and they put their money where their mouth is. Their integrated program is delivering great results at Diepdale Secondary School.”
The enrichment program, run through 1stĀ Things 1st, provides reading, comprehension, and spelling in English and extra classes for Maths, Natural Science, Technology, and Economic Management Sciences (EMS) in grade 8. On average, the students that attend the program perform a lot better than those that donāt.
Other notable initiatives supported by Allianz Commercial is the Allianz Maths and Science Centre, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and resources. This center has enabled learners to excel in maths and science, contributing to the government’s efforts to improve educational outcomes and transform South Africa into a knowledge-based economy. Tebogo Moroti, a beneficiary of the center, recently graduated from the University of the Western Cape as a dentist, showcasing the long-term impact of Allianz’s investment in education.
In addition to academic support, Allianz Commercial launched the Allianz MoveNow program, which aims to strengthen young people by providing access to opportunities and promoting physical and mental well-being. The program includes career expos, sports challenges, and international exchanges.Ā TheĀ Allianz MoveNow CampĀ was hosted at Diepdale Secondary in 2022 and saw over 1400 young people from Soweto attend a career expo and participate in a football and netball challenge. It was done in partnership with former Banyana Banyana Captain and football legend Portia Modise and retired international netballer and netball coach Dumisani Chauke.Ā Tinyiko Shiburi, a learner from Diepdale Secondary School, had the honor of representing South Africa at the Allianz MoveNow Camp – Global Edition in Munich in 2023, participating in various sports activities and exploring new horizons.
āAt Allianz, our corporate responsibility focus areas are education and youth. We passionately believe that education can make the biggest sustainable impact on communities. The Allianz social responsibility programs promote the social inclusion of youth through innovation. With these programs, the parents are more supportive, teachers are better educators and learners have their best chance of reaching their full potential,āāÆadds Thusang.
Access to high-quality education is crucial for creating a knowledge-based economy, and Allianz Commercial South Africa remains committed to partnering with stakeholders to enhance access and quality of education in line with the National Development Plan.
