Uplands Outreach

14/10/2026

Experiential Learning at PPE Technologies

Creating opportunities for young people to explore career possibilities firsthand is an important part of supporting their growth and development. A recent educational visit to Power Plant Electrical (PPE) Technologies brought together 12 top performing Mathematics learners from our partner schools, Zikodze and Guduza Secondary Schools for a day of experiential learning and career guidance.

Through our wonderful partnership with PPE Technologies, learners had the opportunity to step beyond the classroom, discover the world of electrical engineering, power stations, transformers and energy sources. One learner commented,

“I’ve learned many interesting things. I got to truly find my interest in Engineering, not any Engineering but Electrical Engineering. I am very thankful that you gave us this opportunity to learn about an interesting career field, it helped me to get more information that I didn’t even know existed. I wish and hope I can get a chance to taste the ‘Kleven’s coke’. Thanks to Uplands Outreach and PPE”

We are grateful to PPE Technologies for continuing to provide these valuable opportunities for our learners. Every opportunity to learn beyond the classroom allows young people to discover new possibilities and take another step towards their future.

10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day

There’s a certain kind of peace in the Japhet Outreach Centre garden - the sound of birds chirping, the greenery around you and the gentle flow of the canal nearby. It’s one of those places that naturally makes you slow down for a moment. Perhaps that is something we all need from time to time. As we mark World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that looking after our mental wellbeing can also mean giving ourselves permission to pause, to breathe, to talk and to ask for help when we need it. To everyone navigating life in ways others may not see, you don’t have to carry everything alone. Keep reflecting, talking, and making space for your wellbeing, especially in areas of natural beauty.

07/10/2026

Welcome Back to Term 4!

Welcome to Term 4 of 2026! As Term 4 gets underway, we extend our best wishes to all school leaders, teachers, and learners for a productive and meaningful term ahead. Term 4 is always such a milestone, filled with assessments, capstones, and final exams. As we approach the final weeks of the school year ahead, we remember the privilege of being in a school with caring teachers and effective school leaders. In many parts of the world and indeed South Africa, this is not guaranteed. We also remember that education is human-centred, with children at the core of all our activities. If you’re on campus, please stop by for a visit - we would love to connect with you! To become an Uplands Outreach champion, please contact Violah Moya, Head of Uplands Outreach.

05/10/2026

Happy World Teachers’ Day!

The 5th of October is celebrated as World Teachers’ Day - a day to recognise the people who dedicate themselves to helping others learn, grow and find their place in the world. Teaching is more than what happens during a lesson. Teachers often work within challenging circumstances while creating opportunities for their learners, encouraging curiosity and helping young people see possibilities.

At Uplands Outreach, we have the privilege of seeing that commitment through our work with our partners schools and the teachers who teach who serve their communities. This World Teachers’ Day, we stand with teachers, recognising their work contributions, supporting their work and celebrating the role they play in shaping the future of their learners and communities. To every teacher, thank you for showing up, teaching with purpose and helping shape what comes next. To support our Teacher Development programmes, please contact Violah Moya, Head of Uplands Outreach

24/09/2026

Happy Heritage Day!

Today, we celebrate Heritage Day — a day to honour the diverse cultures, traditions, languages and histories that make South Africa the vibrant nation it is. At Uplands Outreach, we celebrate the diversity that makes us who we are and the shared sense of community that brings us together. Our heritage is found in the many different communities, customs, stories and traditions that make up our beautiful country. While we may come from different backgrounds and walk different paths, together we form the rich and colourful tapestry of our “Rainbow Nation.”Happy Heritage Day from all of us at Uplands Outreach!

23/09/2026

16/09/2026

SMILE Celebration at Maqamela Primary

The Uplands Outreach team celebrated the 2026 SMILE programme in true style - with music, dancing, laughter, and as always, a delicious cake! This year marked 28 years of this powerful partnership between Uplands College and Maqamela Primary school. What began almost three decades ago has grown into something incredible. On 15 September 2026, both schools came together to celebrate the wonderful years of conversational English and friendship. The Maqamela Grade 4 learners were so eager to engage as they welcomed their Uplands friends and mentors on site at Maqamela Primary. Speeches were made and everyone was happy and buoyant. From heartfelt messages, and joyful performances to shared laughter, every moment was a reminder of how far we’ve come in 28 years. Here’s to many more years of the SMILE Programme! To become a SMILE Champion, please contact Violah Moya, Head of Uplands Outreach.

09/09/2026

International Literacy Day!

Yesterday, we celebrated International Literacy Day – a day to celebrate the stories and imagination that books can unlock for children. In rural neighbourhoods in Mpumalanga, children’s books are hard to come by. Lesaka Technologies and Uplands Outreach are aiming to change this through donations of books, hanging libraries and book crates, as well as training for ECD practitioners and parents. Reading should be a standalone national imperative. Every child deserves access to books, the opportunity to discover the joy of reading, and the chance to grow up surrounded by stories. Thanks to Lesaka Technologies for providing thousands of beautiful books for our partner ECD Centres and Primary Schools. We are so grateful for your presence and for helping us put books into the hands of children who need them most!

07/09/2026

Meaningful Connections!

We had the pleasure of hosting a Whistle-stop Tour to our partner schools in the Insikazi Circuit, welcoming a group of Uplands staff members and showing them the work of Uplands Outreach first-hand. Although it was a grey, overcast day, it was a rewarding experience all round - an opportunity to make connections, visit the schools, meet the people we work alongside and see what can be achieved when we come together in support of education and our wider community.

These visits provide a valuable opportunity for our Uplands community to gain a deeper understanding of the schools and communities we serve and of the work that takes place through Uplands Outreach. If you would like to join us on a future Whistle-Stop Tour, please contact Violah Moya, Head of Uplands Outreach to find out more. Together, we can do so much more!

01/09/2026

Hello, Spring!

As we welcome the new season - Spring, the Uplands Outreach team is embracing the season with colour, energy and plenty of positivity! From the first blossoms appearing in the Japhet Outreach Centre’s Garden to the brighter, longer days ahead, spring reminds us of the beauty of renewal and the possibilities that come with every new beginning. May this season inspire hope, growth, connection and new opportunities for everyone. Here’s to a bright and beautiful Spring filled with fresh energy and reasons to bloom!