Grahamstown Foundation

Originally called the 1820 Settlers Foundation, the Grahamstown Foundation is a non-profit South African company that manages a wide variety of projects. The Grahamstown Foundation also administers the 1820 Settlers Monument which is both a national heritage institution and a conference and functions venue. More than a quarter of a million people, from all cultural backgrounds, use the building each year. Amid reminders of the past, the Grahamstown Foundation encourages the principles and ideals of the South African constitution.

Aims and objectives

The Grahamstown Foundation's aim is: to enrich the educational and cultural life of the people of South Africa “That all might have life and have it more abundantly”

There are four main focus areas:

• Language

The Foundation aims to: Enrich the study of language; Promote and enhance the way South Africans communicate by fostering, igniting and encouraging open and meaningful debate; Improve the quality of language teaching

• The Arts

The Foundation supports artistic endeavour by: Providing facilities for performers; Creating opportunities for participation in the performing and visual Arts; Promoting South African art, culture and literature

• The Sciences

The Foundation promotes a love of science in South Africa by: Providing scientists with opportunities to make science accessible to all; Showing that science, engineering and technology permeate business and everyday life; Encouraging enquiry into the origins and different disciplines of science

• Conferences

The Foundation believes in free and open debate and discussion, and to this end: Facilitates conferences and seminars on matters of national concern; Maintains and provides a world class conferencing and meeting facility

Projects

Core Projects include:

• the National Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology (Scifest Africa) (a festival that facilitates lectures, quizzes, interactive exhibitions and workshops)
• the South African Schools' Festivals (including the National Schools Festival and Schools' Fest On the Road, formerly the Regional Schools Festivals)
• the English Olympiad

Partner Projects include:

• the National Arts Festival (often referred to as the Grahamstown Festival)
• Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa
• the Amaphiko Township Dance Project

Other Projects have included:

• the Eastern Cape Eisteddfod
• Sakhisizwe (a project for teachers in rural schools aimed at supplementing their skills and materials)
• Makana Edutourism Project
• the Village Green Fair.

For more information

See also Language struggle

Sources

http://www.foundation.org.za/

Eastern Cape Schools Festival programme, 2005

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