2015 – Inspiring Voices: Shireen Chengadu, GIBS; Stacey Brewer, Spark Schools founder; Monica Shaller, Smuts Tenors, founder; Rachel Ncube, WATTF, founder
- Community partners:
- Shwe
Bana Blankets
Out of Africa
Topsy Foundation
Sponsors:
2014 – Iphutheng Primary School: Ian von Memerty with Graeme Codrington
TBC
2012 – Mthimkhulu Stimulation Centre: Helen Zille with Ashley Haydn
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2011 – Mthimkhulu Stimulation Centre, Soweto: hands-on garden
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The year 2006 saw the group raising funds for the building of a house with Habitat for Humanity while 2007 and 2008 were focused on raising funds for the establishment of a LEAP Science and Maths school.
2010 – Big Shoes: Gill Marcus with Jenny Crwys-Williams
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2009 – Tsholofelo: Debora Patta
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2008 – LEAP: Graeme Codrington: “Hannah’s Rules” with Clive Simpkins
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2007 and 2008 – LEAP Science and Maths School
LEAP is an English language full immersion FET (Grades 10 – 12) intervention school aimed at securing exemption passes, with English, maths and science on the highest grade, from its matriculants.
LEAP serves residents of Alexandra who have not had access to any form of schooling other than township schools. Go to the LEAP website to read more about the school in Cape Town.
The major fund raising event in 2007, in aid of the LEAP Science and Maths School, was a ladies’ breakfast being held at the Bryanston Country Club.
The guest speaker was Deshun Deysel, the high altitude climber who believes we can all achieve our dreams.
In the past 10 years she has been on eleven major mountaineering expeditions, visiting five continents in the process, and reached a personal record of 8 300m above sea level in 2003 in Mount Everest’s ‘Death Zone’.
She is a recipient of Four Outstanding Young South African’s Award (FOYSA) in 1997 and is a Friend and Ambassador for the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation.
In addition she is an active honorary member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Members of the Third Thursday team surround a smiling Deshun Deysel who received a standing ovation from the guests at the breakfast, in acknowledgement of her huge achievement.
2006 – Habitat for Humanity
Third Thursday held three fund-raising events which generated a total of R90 000, sufficient to build two houses with Habitat for Humanity.
- A Mind the Gap presentation by international speaker and best-selling author, Graeme Codrington. Master of Ceremonies was Michael Mol of Top Billing.
- A ladies’ breakfast at the Bryanston Country Club with Ruda Landman of Carte Blanche as guest speaker.
- A barnyard event
Third Thursday raised enough funds to build TWO homes, thereby changing the lives of two South African families forever, and actively recruited groups of volunteers to build those houses in June 2007.
Then came the building.
It was a mild June morning in Soweto. Excited volunteers gathered around a Habitat for Humanity team to be introduced to the experienced builders and prospective home owners. The goal on Monday: to complete two houses by Friday!
The novice builders donned gloves (many of which crackled with lack of use) and a smile, and started passing brick after brick after brick to the building site. With all bricks in place, the brave (or stupid) tackled the mixing of dagha (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!) while the artistic few set to work at laying cement and bricks.
Whilst the Third Thursday ladies and their family and friends huffed and puffed, the builders of Habitat for Humanity effortlessly built, cheerfully encouraged and patiently mentored us.
It was with great pride that we surveyed our efforts at the end of the first day. Much work lay ahead, and a team of volunteers arrived equally enthusiastically on each morning of that week.
It was with tremendous joy that we witnessed Caroline, our prospective home-owner, now home-owner for the first time in her life, receive the key to the door of her house.