Acudeo College Crystal Park in Benoni was set up in 2013 as a joint initiative by Barnstone Education, and the Schools and Education Investment Impact Fund of South Africa — it was part of a drive to bring quality education to areas not traditionally exposed to private education.
Mahlangu explains that The Boardroom is largely about improving financial literacy and teaching students about money, finances and the world of economics in a practical way. Committee members are taught leadership skills, given tips to improve their confidence and learn about the importance of succession plans in business.However, the lessons extend beyond pure theory and members of the Boardroom compete in the JSE Investment Challenge and the Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge annually.
Although the topics of financial literacy, investment and entrepreneurship can be intimidating, the school has found innovative ways to engage with students to keep their interest high. For example, each year, the Boardroom adopts a different theme around history. While the theme in 2021 was the history of hip-hop, the theme this year is Egyptian mythology.
Lathitha Mafika, a Grade 10 pupil at Acudeo College Crystal Park in Benoni and leader of the Brand Nubian team in 2021, says Mahlangu is the “best teacher ever!” “He interacts with us, inspires us and encourages us. He can make the most boring thing interesting and now, I am an investor for life. He has taught me so much in a short space of time,” he says.
Wow; amazing work.