Growing the Future of Education, Together: RCL FOODS and the Leaders for Education Programme

At RCL FOODS, we believe that growing a better future starts with growing people — and there’s no better place to begin than in our schools. That’s why we’ve proudly partnered with Citizen Leader Lab on the Leaders for Education programme — an initiative focused on equipping school principals with the leadership tools they need to thrive and drive change in their schools and communities.

South Africa faces deep systemic challenges in education, and at the root of many of these is a leadership gap. We believe that when school leadership is strengthened, real transformation can happen — not just in school results, but in the confidence and cohesion with the communities they serve.

Leading by Example: RCL FOODS’ Hands-On Involvement

Since joining the programme, RCL FOODS has supported partnerships with 29 schools across the country, including in Pinetown, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Nkomazi, Diepkloof, Soweto, and more. While a few of these partnerships were supported through sponsorship, the majority have seen our business leaders actively step into the process — mentoring, learning alongside, and supporting school principals over a 12-month journey of growth.

Over the years, we have partnered with between 2 and 5 schools per year, carefully matching our business leaders with principals to embark on a three-phase process focused on trust, vision, and implementation. These are not just check-in relationships — they are deep, human partnerships where both sides learn and grow. And while the formal programme runs for a year, many of our leaders continue the relationships long after, offering ongoing support and encouragement.

Strategically Aligned for Greater Impact in Mpumalanga

Our Sugar Business leaders have embarked on four new partnerships in Mpumalanga, each one strategically aligned with our Selati Star Schools Project. The schools selected are attended by learners who are already part of our Star Schools programme, which provides academic support and life skills training to high-potential learners. By intentionally extending our efforts into the schools these learners attend, we’re creating a deeper, more holistic impact — supporting not just the learners themselves, but the school environment and leadership that surrounds them. It’s another way we’re growing what matters to communities, supporting education, leadership, and opportunity side by side.

A Ripple Effect of Real Impact

The change we’ve seen has been tangible. From initiatives like team effectiveness sessions, PESTEL analyses, and strategic planning with groups of educators, to revamping classrooms and playgrounds,  rethinking school strategies, boosting staff morale, and providing meals or small care packs to learners in need – the outcomes are as diverse as the schools themselves. But what matters most is the shift in mindset and leadership capacity — because when you empower a principal, you empower an entire school.

One teacher reflected on how the programme has directly improved their school’s strategic direction and results. And we’ve seen it ourselves — how one engaged, inspired leader can shift the trajectory of hundreds, even thousands, of learners.

We Don’t Just Invest in Education — We Invest in People

For RCL FOODS, this programme is not about ticking boxes or giving once-off support – it’s about growing long-term change through people. “In partnership with Leaders for Education, we’re building meaningful, collaborative relationships between business leaders, school principals, their educators, and the communities they serve. Together, we’re using the strength of our people to help strengthen others, and to unlock lasting impact where it matters most,” says Charmaine Boshoff, RCL Group HR Executive: Learning and Development and B-BBEE Transformation.

Because we know: when we grow leadership, we grow potential. And when we grow potential, we grow the future.