Unlocking potential through learning since 2007

Our mission is to inspire individuals and the community around them to engage in educational activities that unlock their potential

We are deeply embedded in the local community and have incorporated years of learnings into our strategy. We could never offer perfect solutions. The path out of poverty is complex.

We strongly believe that in order to create a long-term impact that sees people reach their full potential we need to partner and not supply. This means we work alongside community members and other stakeholders and whilst we give access to resources, our initiatives are designed to encourage individuals to take control of their own lives by inspiring learning that empowers them to overcome their own personal challenges.

Connected

We are deeply embedded in the local community and have incorporated years of learnings into our strategy. Some of these are:

We see ourselves as a partner not a supplier

As an organisation we could never offer perfect solutions. We strongly believe that in order to create a long-term impact that sees people reach their full potential we need to partner and not supply. This means we work alongside community members and whilst we give access to resources, our initiatives are designed to encourage the locals to take control of their own lives by inspiring learning that empowers them to overcome their own personal challenges.

We try our best to support individuals in context

We understand that no individual exists in isolation so we do our best to work with individuals as well as with the systems around the individual. This means that many of our projects are interconnected and where possible linked to the family unit.

We build bridges

The challenges faced by people living in poverty are incredibly complex and we would never be able to address these complexities alone. Therefore, we try our best to build bridges and partner with other organisations, government, churches, companies and experts to bring innovative solutions that will result in sustainable impact.

Director

Elbie has been involved with Boost from 2007 when she assisted with the founding documents of Boost Africa and volunteered in different programmes throughout the years. She is a qualified lawyer who practised for 10 years before she decided to take on the role of Director at Boost Africa in 2017. She has a passion for social justice and is extremely grateful that she has the opportunity to work for Boost Africa helping to realise every child’s right to a quality education.

Board members

Yashvir is the founder and owner of Insight Survey which was established in 2006. He has more than 25 years of global market research & marketing strategy experience and has worked in the USA, Europe, UK, and Japan. In 2012, he met Mary Mytting (Founder Boost Africa) and was inspired by the vision of Boost Africa Foundation to create future South African leaders through education. Yashvir volunteered on a part-time basis for 6 months in 2012 and was appointed to the board in 2015. Insight Survey is proud to be involved with Boost Africa Foundation and is a monthly donor.

Christine founded myDunoon in 2015 and served as the Director of myDunoon up to the merger with Boost Africa in 2019. She has completed her MPHIL Inclusive Innovation programme at the University of Cape Town, which speaks for her passion to see social change in South Africa. Christine has not only worked in Dunoon since 2015 but has lived in the community for just under 2 years, building networks and gaining on the ground understanding. She resigned as a Director at the end of 2021 but still serves on the Boost Africa Foundation Board.

Kwanele completed his electrical engineering degree at CPUT in 2010. In 2011 enrolled in the graduate program at Transnet(SOE) and has been working for the company ever since as an engineering technician. In 2017 he completed a degree in Project Management at CPUT. Kwanele grew up in the area and understands the challenges the community faces. He believes Boost Africa can bring some of the solutions to the challenges the community faces.

Jo is a qualified Chartered Accountant who runs his own accounting practice for the last 15 years and is a very valuable board member to have. He is an expert in his field and is always willing to provide advice and recommendations when needed.

Babalwa has a finance background and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice: Innovative Leadership Specialisation, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. She is currently working at First Rand Bank. We are very excited to have her on our board this coming year to assist with our administration.

Mary is the founder of Boost Africa, She is a Canadian woman who lived and volunteered in South Africa for over 10 years as a volunteer. She started Boost Africa in 2007 after she realised, whilst working in the Dunoon community that many children are kept from school because their parents or guardians simply cannot afford a uniform. Mary is a serial entrepreneur and social entrepreneur who brings passion and expertise to working with other entrepreneurs and non-profits through economic development and strategic planning. Twenty-five years of operations management, sales, marketing, and internal and external relationship management. Mary is a strong professional with a Bachelor’s Degree focused in International Relations from University of South Africa. She lives and works in Prince George, Canada.