Old Mutual to give needy learners a shot in the arm

Leading investment and savings group Old Mutual (South Africa) today announced a contribution of R200 000 that will go towards funding the education of gifted learners from disadvantaged backgrounds at the prestigious St David’s Marist Inanda private school in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Speaking at the handover, Paul Hanratty (pictured), Managing Director of Old Mutual (South Africa), said: “Education and capacity building are a key thrust of our economic transformation strategy and we are delighted to be part of efforts to bring quality education to children who would not have had this kind of opportunity”.

Hanratty added that part of Old Mutual’s economic transformation is to open up opportunities for marginalised South Africans and to facilitate their inclusion into the mainstream economy.

Chantal Ratcliffe, Director of St David’s Marist Foundation, said the Foundation can do with partners like Old Mutual and “we are looking at nurturing a long-term partnership because transformation is not a short-term strategy”. Ratcliffe explained that learners would be selected from Gauteng schools and communities such as Alexandra and Soweto.

“We look at financial need and academic ability in selecting students,” said Ratcliffe, adding that the Foundation targets scholars at earlier levels as experience has shown a higher success rate when integrating children at a younger age.

Hanratty expressed the hope that other than education, the children will be able to forge lasting relationships and share in the rich diversity that makes South Africa such an exciting country to live in.

“Education is an opportunity leveller. For this reason, we invest more than R30 million in various education programmes through the Old Mutual Foundation and across the group. We are confident that our efforts and those of like-minded organisations will contribute to a bright future for our children,” concluded Hanratty.