Inzalo – how it all began

The Sasol Inzalo Foundation was established as part of South Africa’s single biggest black economic empowerment (BEE) equity transaction.

This transferred 10% of Sasol shares into the hands of South Africans from designated groups in September 2008. Part of the transaction was the allocation of 1,5% of Sasol’s shares to the Sasol Inzalo Foundation.

The Foundation is a public benefit organisation, governed by an independent board of trustees. We are an operating foundation that drives excellence in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education at all levels of the education value chain. We are not a grant-giving entity, although requests for funding are considered that match our strategy and create opportunities for effective partnerships.

 What we aspire to

We aspire to pioneer reform in STEM education systems. As an independent coordinator, we facilitate the implementation and spread of effective practice, and engage in advocacy to infl uence policy. To be effective in this role, we find and develop effective models for replication.

 What we do

We explore and use opportunities for collaboration, working with effective partners to support our programmes and projects. We also drive conversations among selected communities to better understand and articulate the issues. We then engage in programmes that are guided by specifi c themes to address challenges in education systems. The impact of these interventions and initiatives are measured to inform the next cycle of interventions.

 How we are funded

The Foundation’s overheads are funded by a dividend from the shares it owns and its programmes and projects are funded by grants from Sasol. It is envisaged that the Foundation will be self-suffi cient by 2018.