Southern Oil, a top player in the agricultural industry, reiterates its dedication to community welfare through its steadfast backing of the Canola Development Trust, which oversees two pioneering educational programs in South Africa.
The CanoLees initiative, cleverly named by combining “canola” with “lees” (which means “reading” in Afrikaans), encourages literacy and education among the children of farmworkers and staff in the canola fields. On the other hand, CanoTel merges “canola” with “tel” (meaning “counting” in Afrikaans), concentrating on enhancing numeracy skills through data collection, statistical analysis, and overall numeracy improvement.
A play on words is made with “cano,” translating to “I can now” in English. CanoLees – “I can now read,” and CanoTel – “I can count.” Managed by CAP, a non-profit organization in Swellendam committed to fostering opportunities and growth in rural communities through education and job creation, both programs were established in 2021. They are based on the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, a proven method aimed at boosting foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Initially a joint effort between Pratham and J-PAL, TaRL has since become an independent organization registered in Kenya. The focus is on data-informed actions, personalized assessments, and ongoing monitoring to optimize learning results.
Additionally, learners are empowered to realize their full potential through Trauma-Informed teaching techniques and a supportive learning environment. In the past year alone, the CanoLees and CanoTel programs have delivered impressive outcomes, reaching over 600 learners through CanoLees and more than 400 through CanoTel. Learners have shown remarkable progress, gaining confidence in reading and solving complex math problems, with 66 children advancing by two or more levels. Reney Govender, the Learning and Development Practitioner at Southern Oil, expressed,
“We recognize the rapid growth in agronomic and manufacturing skills needed to compete globally. We have learned that the greatest success stems from our local communities. We believe this program will significantly narrow the skills gap and improve the quality of education provided.”
Recognizing the link between business prosperity and community welfare, Southern Oil advocates for a comprehensive approach to corporate social responsibility. By actively involving the community and supporting initiatives like CanoLees and CanoTel, Southern Oil builds trust, enhances its reputation, uplifts employee morale, and commits to creating a brighter future for future generations.
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