About Karoo Eisteddfod Trust
The KAROO EISTEDDFOD TRUST is a multidimensional educational and development NPO based in De Aar in the Pixley Ka Seme district, Great Karoo, South Africa.
The KAROO EISTEDDFOD TRUST is a multidimensional educational and development NPO based in De Aar in the Pixley Ka Seme district, Great Karoo, South Africa. For the past 8 years, the Karoo Eisteddfod has realised development programmes to redress the inequities of apartheid and to help disadvantaged young people to realise their inherent potential. Within the changing South African context, our programmes have evolved reflecting the needs of our youth at each stage of their development, from cradle to career. Through our model, we support children from infancy into adulthood and employment to ensure that they become the next generation of fruitful South African citizens.
Over the years, a model for sustainable development has been identified and established. The KET model offers three primary programmes, each focusing on the specific developmental and age appropriate needs of children and youth:
- Early Childhood Development (ECD),
- Child and Youth Development (CYD) and
- Young Adult Enrolment and Placement (YAED).
CYD Goals
KET want to achieve the following goals through our programmes:
- To offer every learner the opportunity for personal artistic expression, encouraging academic excellence and endurance.
- To offer educational assistance, training, skills acquisition where needed.
- To encourage the development of self-esteem and self-worth in every person.
- To do everything possible to enhance prosperity through education for all the people in our communities.
- To recognise, nurture and encourage exceptional talent.
- To promote nation building.
- To develop awareness and knowledge about the historical value and rich heritage of the Karoo.
- The focus of the KET is set on possible solutions and action plans to successfully address specific community needs.
KET Trustees
KET Vision and Goal
The KET has set a vision where every Karoo child will have the support needed to start primary school, complete secondary school successfully, obtain skills training or have access to tertiary education leading to permanent employment by 2040.
2015 was spent putting measures in place supporting this vision and started with a true miracle when Khazimla - Centre of Excellence, opened its doors on 2 February 2015.
Khazimla - center of excellence
The KET obtained these suitable premises to house various centres for reading, a library, educational support, computer centre, art, administrative, and tertiary enrolment. Khazimla is located on the corner of Park Circle and Raine Street, De Aar. KET office can be found in the center.
Karoo Eisteddfod Trustees
The KET was founded by Katie Barnard du Toit in 2012 and later, Frankie Sequeira and Marie Visser joined the trust as trustees.
Katie Barnard du Toit
Katie Barnard du Toit has been an artist since 1991. She is passionate about the Karoo and its people and has received the ABSA KKNK award in 2012 for Best Visual Artwork and the KykNET Fiesta for Best Visual Artwork in 2013.
She initiated the Karoo Eisteddfod Trust to focus on academic, art and culture development among the Karoo children. In January 2014 she initiated and still is co-ordinating Karoo Kidz – Swim & Be Safe project in De Aar followed by the highly successful Karoo Tertiary Enrolment and Early Childhood Development. Also close to her heart is the social development of farm workers and education of their children. As Trustee of the Karoo Eisteddfod Trust, Katie serves as Operational Director. Katie is married to Pieter du Toit for 27 years and lives on the farm Rietfontein with their two daughters, Ilkhe and Helaina.
Frankie Sequeira
As a local business man, Frankie Sequeira matriculated in De Aar and is driven by a moral determination to uplift the community. Frankie has been a main driving force behind sport and community development in this area, especially tennis (Novels Classic) and soccer, aimed at youth development and upliftment. In 2012 he became Trustee of the Karoo Eisteddfod Trust serving as Financial Director.
Frankie has been married to Rose for 13 years and lives in De Aar with their son, Joshua and daughter, Gabriella.
Marie Visser
She has since been involved as a professional tennis coach in De Aar, Richmond and Victoria West and has trained and encouraged many very successful players (since 1997 more than 50 children have received provincial colours) including JP van den Berg (SA Schools 2013), Rowan Greeff (SA Schools 2013), Carla Visser (Reserve SA Schools 2016) and Keanu Saunders (Reserve SA Schools 2017).In 2013 Marie became Trustee of the Karoo Eisteddfod Trust responsible for Logistical Management and she is actively involved in the Karoo Kidz – Swim & Be Safe project, Karoo Tennis Kidz and the yearly Karoo Eisteddfod.
Marie has been married to Christo Visser for 20 years and lives at the Vissershoek with her son, Christie and daughter, Carla.