OFFICIAL STATEMENT

PROJECT 100 SCHOOLS EXPANDS TO THE FREE STATE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BAKGETHWA FOUNDATION AND EDGAR LEGOALE FOUNDATION

23 May 2026

The Edgar Legoale Foundation is pleased to announce the extension of the nationally recognised Project 100 Schools initiative to the Free State through a strategic partnership with the Bakgethwa Foundation. This collaboration builds on both organizations’ shared commitment to youth upliftment and rural development. The Bakgethwa Foundation is a non‑profit organisation dedicated to development, empowerment and upliftment in rural areas, focusing on educational projects, agricultural training and health programmes. The Edgar Legoale Foundation, established in 2018, works to eradicate poverty by equipping young people with information, skills and opportunities.

The programme will take place on 27 May 2026 at Phehellang Secondary School, Parys, from 09h00, under the theme:

“Walking with Purpose, Inspiring Greatness”

Project 100 Schools is a school outreach initiative aimed at supporting learners through practical interventions such as donating school shoes, providing sanitary towels and offering motivational engagements. These interventions resonate with national efforts to address period poverty and restore dignity to learners. Donating new school shoes restores hope, pride and dignity, and the Edgar Legoale Foundation’s own annual school‑shoe campaign strives to instill a sense of pride and readiness for learning . By combining these efforts, Project 100 Schools aims to give learners both the resources and confidence they need to succeed.

The Free State activation marks an important expansion of the programme and will be implemented in collaboration with the Edgar Legoale Foundation. The session will target Grade 12 learners from schools in Parys and Vredefort, focusing on motivation, mentorship and academic encouragement during the matric year.

Participating High Schools (Parys and Vredefort):

• Phehellang Secondary School
• Yakhisizwe Secondary School
• Barnard Molokoane Technical High School
• Boitlamo Secondary School
• Schonkenville High School
• Weiveld Agricultural High School
• Chris Van Niekerk Secondary School
• Boiphihlelo Secondary School
• S.S. Paki Secondary School

Approximately 1 008 learners will participate, combining motivation and learner support on a single platform.

The Edgar Legoale Foundation extends appreciation to the Free State Department of Education Circuit 5, under Circuit Manager Ms M.M. Kareli, for their support. The programme will be attended by Bishop T.L. Mashiloane for the opening prayer and address, along with various community stakeholders. It will also feature Mr Clement Maosa, actor, entrepreneur and CEO of the Bakgethwa Foundation, alongside other motivational speakers and guest contributors. Strategic partners include LoveLife and other organisations committed to youth development; LoveLife is South Africa’s youth‑focused HIV‑prevention initiative with provincial offices across the country and Y‑centres in areas of high HIV prevalence.

The Chairperson of the Edgar Legoale Foundation, Mr Edgar Legoale, will address learners on leadership, discipline and education. In his remarks, Mr Legoale emphasises that the expansion of Project 100 Schools demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to building a generation of confident and motivated young people. He notes that the partnership with the Bakgethwa Foundation, whose mission is to develop and empower rural communities through education, agriculture and health, aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s goal of equipping young people with the information and support needed to combat poverty. “This collaboration allows us to reach more learners, provide them with essential supplies and inspire them to dream beyond their circumstances,” he says. Mr Legoale also highlights that providing school shoes is about more than footwear; it restores pride and dignity. The Foundation’s annual school‑shoes campaign has shown that equipping learners with new shoes boosts self‑esteem and readiness to learn, and Project 100 Schools will ensure no learner is left behind.

Looking beyond this programme, Mr Legoale announces that the Foundation will embark on a Tumahole schools tour after the Bakgethwa’s Free State activation to distribute school uniforms to less‑privileged learners. This upcoming initiative is an extension of the Foundation’s back‑to‑school efforts and underscores its dedication to practical, meaningful support for youth. Ensuring that learners have proper uniforms not only meets a basic need but also fosters unity, belonging and academic focus. “Our learners are the future; let’s give them hope,” Mr. Legoale affirms, echoing the Foundation’s belief that every child deserves dignity and confidence.

The Executive Mayor of Ngwathe Local Municipality, Councillor Victoria De Beer‑Mthombeni, has also been invited to deliver the official Mayoral and Keynote Address.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the programme.

PROGRAMME DETAILS
PROJECT 100 SCHOOLS
Presented by Bakgethwa Foundation in partnership with Edgar Legoale Foundation

Theme: Walking With Purpose, Inspiring Greatness
Focus: Grade 12 Motivation & Learner Support

• Date: 27 May 2026
• Venue: Phehellang Secondary School, Parys
• Time: 09:00 AM

Issued by:

Nthabiseng Molejane
Foundation Manager
Edgar Legoale Foundation

082 287 2290
nthabiseng@edgarlegoale.com

www.edgarlegoale.com