In South Africa, Ignite begins with education, recognising it as a critical foundation for long-term opportunity, leadership and community upliftment. Through expanded partnerships and increased scholarship opportunities, Makosi Ignite aims to enable more high-potential learners to access quality high school education and build pathways toward sustained success, says the academy.

Makosi Ignite aims to reflect the company's commitment to purposeful action that creates lasting impact, strengthening individuals, families and communities over time.

South Africa continues to face deep-rooted educational inequality. According to the Department of Basic Education's Flow-Through Grade Report (2023), only 52 percent of learners who enter Grade 1 complete matriculation. Access to quality education remains uneven, with learner outcomes strongly influenced by school resources and socioeconomic context.

Financial constraints further limit opportunity. The Statistics South Africa Income and Expenditure Survey shows that a significant proportion of households are unable to afford education-related costs, making access to high-performing schools out of reach for many families, says the academy.

Makosi Ignite is beginning its journey and aiming to fill this gap by unlocking access to opportunity at a pivotal stage of a learner's journey, while laying the foundation for broader community transformation.

As part of Ignite's next phase, Makosi has partnered with the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP), a South African organisation that places high-potential learners in top-performing schools and supporting them throughout their academic careers.

Through this partnership, Makosi is sponsoring an eighth-grade learner who has demonstrated strong academic performance, resilience and leadership potential. As the eldest of five siblings, she plays an active role in supporting her younger sisters' education and leads by example through discipline, commitment and initiative, says the academy.

Makosi Ignite is structured as a long-term programme that combines financial support with academic guidance, leadership development and mentorship. The initiative is overseen by Tanya Grota, Chief Financial Officer and Chief People Officer of Makosi, who aims to provide strategic direction and leads the mentorship framework supporting learners through their high school journey and beyond.

"In my early years, I was fortunate to have a mentor who listened, challenged me and created space for growth," says Grota. "That belief shaped how I lead today. Ignite is about acting early and with intention, creating the foundation of confidence and possibility that allows potential to grow into lasting impact."

In addition to SSP, Makosi has partnered with the Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund, a SAICA-led initiative focused on expanding access to tertiary education for previously disadvantaged learners and strengthening South Africa's future pipeline of Chartered Accountants, says the academy,

Makosi intends to continue scaling Ignite as a multi-year initiative supporting a growing cohort of learners. With youth unemployment remaining persistently high in South Africa, Makosi views early investment in education, alongside broader social and community development, as a critical driver of sustainable economic and social progress.

Ignite forms part of Makosi's broader commitment to talent development and community upliftment across the regions in which it operates. By investing early and acting with purpose, Makosi aims to strengthen future leadership pipelines and contribute to long-term socioeconomic growth, says the academy.

Throughout 2026, Makosi will share regular updates on learner progress and the continued growth of Makosi Ignite, concludes the academy.

For more information, visit www.makosi.com. You can also follow Makosi Ignite on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor