Community Hours

06/10/2026

What does leadership really mean? It is not only about being chosen to lead a portfolio. It is about the character you bring to the responsibility.

Across the schools and young people we have the privilege to volunteer and work with, we recognise thousands of hours of social impact and service being shared by young people who choose to contribute, to care and to make a difference.

Behind every hour is a choice — to give your time, to listen, to help, to understand and to show up for someone else. This is why we believe service and active citizenship are such an important part of developing young leaders.

Because meaningful leadership requires more than confidence and ambition. It requires integrity, empathy and an awareness of the world beyond yourself. It requires the ability to listen, to understand different experiences, and to lead with both conviction and compassion.

It requires commitment and steadfast character, and the courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult, and the humility to bring others with you.

The young people we work with continually remind us that leadership is not about standing above others. It is about standing alongside them and using your influence to create positive change.

To every young person stepping into a leadership role at their school for 2026/2027: your title may give you a position, but your character will determine the leader you become.

Lead with purpose.
Serve with humility.
Listen with empathy.
And lead with integrity.

The future needs leaders who care.

24/09/2026

19/09/2026

Everyone is welcome at the Volunteer Event in support of World Cleanup Day World Cleanup Day tomorrow!

We need as many people as possible to join us - Whether you’re a student, a retiree, coming on your own, bringing your family, joining with friends or representing an organisation — YOU can make a difference. Imagine what we can achieve when our community comes together for just two hours.

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: 09h00 – 11h00
Meeting point: Across from the “Buffalo Circle”, where Bryanston Drive & St James Road intersect

Please bring:
A sun hat / Sunscreen/ Drinking Water and gloves
We will provide litter bags.
Look out for the Community Hours banners and follow them to registration.
Bring your energy. Bring a friend. Bring your family. Bring your community spirit.

19/09/2026

THANK YOU to Fourways Review for always going the extra mile and supporting volunteering engagement in our community. We are so grateful to you for your recent article recognising the impact we can make when communities come together in kindness.

https://share.google/k25njuapOhtw4ZE6k

14/09/2026

Come Together on World Clean Up Day .... Braamfontein Spruit

This World Cleanup Day, we’re calling on our community to come out, roll up your sleeves and help us make a real difference to one of our most beautiful natural spaces.

Join Community Hours .za of Packaging SA - IPSA
Bryanston East Community Forum - BECF Better Bryanston as we make an impact in our community on World Clean Up Day.

We need as many people as possible to join us - Whether you’re a student, a retiree, coming on your own, bringing your family, joining with friends or representing an organisation — YOU can make a difference.

Imagine what we can achieve when our community comes together for just two hours.

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: 09h00 – 11h00
Meeting point: Across from the “Buffalo Circle”, where Bryanston Drive & St James Road meet.

Please bring:
A sun hat / Sunscreen/ Drinking Water and gloves

We will provide litter bags.
Look out for the Community Hours banners and follow them to registration.

Bring your energy. Bring a friend. Bring your family. Bring your community spirit.

Let’s show what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose.

A cleaner Spruit starts with us — and every pair of hands counts.

RSVP: [email protected]

12/09/2026

Some days remind you why volunteering matters.

There was something truly special about our volunteering day at the Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre today. 67 people. 16 different schools and organisations. Many different ages. One shared purpose.

Today we came together to do something that, might seem quite ordinary — sorting bottle tops. Today we proved that bottle tops became so much more than that.

Together, we sorted almost 400kg of usable bottle tops into colours in support of

It took commitment. It took patience. It took teamwork. And it took a whole lot of energy! But most importantly, it took people who cared enough to give their time.

There was laughter, conversation and a massive determination, and there were moments when we wondered if we would ever reach the end of that mountain of bottle tops!

THAT is the magic of volunteering. It reminds us that we don't always need to do something extraordinary to create an impact.

Sometimes, we simply need to show up, get involved and do what we can.

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible team at the Indaba Hotel for allowing us to use your magnificent space, we are so grateful for your generosity and support.

And to every one of our 67 wonderful volunteers from St John's College St Peter's College St Peter's Boys Prep School , as well as AQUO Water for keeping us hydrated - THANK YOU!

Thank you for showing up, for giving your time, for sorting, bending, separating, laughing and persevering. And thank you for reminding us that when we come together, we can achieve so much more than we ever could alone.

The real measure of today wasn't the weight of the bottle tops we sorted ......It was the weight of 67 people choosing to care.

And THAT is something worth celebrating.

04/09/2026

Growing together. Standing together. Making a difference.

There is something which resonates deeply when watching young men grow not only as individuals, but together as friends — learning that their time, energy and skills can make a real difference in the lives of others.

Josh, Callum, Sam, Matthew, Nicholas, Harrison and Herman, all from St John's College , spent time in Kameeldrift and Hammanskraal, getting involved in a wonderful mix of community activities.

From helping community members apply for jobs and set up email addresses at the internet café, to sewing blankets and pillows, and the great joy of getting outside to play soccer and run a cricket clinic with the children of the community — these young men experienced the joy of showing up, getting involved and making a difference.

Friendship is powerful. But friendship with purpose is lifechanging.

These young men are learning that being a changemaker isn't about doing something extraordinary — it's about standing together, giving your time and leaving a place just a little better than you found it.

And we're pretty sure there was plenty of laughter and a little healthy competition along the way!

Well done, boys — keep standing together, keep showing up and keep making an impact.

02/09/2026

Holiday time well spent!

What better way to spend part of the school holidays than giving time and energy to volunteer — and getting lots of wagging tails in return!

Sam, James, Daniel and Zack, all Grade 8 students at St John's College , took some time out of their holidays to volunteer at the SPCA in Bethlehem. They loved the opportunity to spend time with the dogs, lend a helping hand and, importantly, leave behind some bags of kibble to help provide dinner for the animals in their care.

Judging by the photo, it looks like they had a very enthusiastic "supervisor" keeping an eye on things from the top of the SPCA sign! We're not quite sure whether he was checking the boys were really going to leave the kibble or simply waiting for his share!

A wonderful example of young people choosing to make a difference — even during their holidays. Thank you gentlemen!

Well done, Sam, James, Daniel and Zack! Your time, kindness and generosity really do make an impact. 💙

27/08/2026

Sort. Smile. Make an Impact!

Ready to turn a few hours of your Saturday into something that really matters?

Join us on Saturday, 12 September as we get together
to sort bottle tops and bread tags in support of The Sweethearts Foundation.

It’s a morning of teamwork, laughter and purpose — and a brilliant way to earn your Community Hours while making a tangible difference!

📅 Saturday, 12 September 2026
⏰ 09h00 – 12h00
📍 Indaba Hotel, Fourways

Bring your friends, bring your energy and come be part of a community that believes small actions can create BIG impact!
* Earn Community Hours
* Help recyclable materials find a purpose
* Support a meaningful cause
* Have FUN while making a difference!

Your Saturday morning could change someone’s tomorrow.

Save the date and join us! RSVP to: [email protected]

24/08/2026

From a pot of soup to a whole lot of kindness! We loved hearing from St John's College student Zayaan about his recent volunteering experience with Baboos Crew. He said ...“We first helped cook mutton soup. We then gave it out to an old age home and other people in need.”

Deep in our souls we know that this is what volunteering is all about. Getting involved, rolling up your sleeves, cooking together and then sharing a warm meal with people who need it most. These are the acts of kindness which make someone’s day a little warmer — and a little brighter.

Thank you, Zayaan, for sharing your experience, and to Baboos Crew for creating meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with their communities and make a difference.