The John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust has come up with a new innovation as it rebranded its flagship logo that magnifies its pragmatic functionaries and vision to its intended communities.

The auspicious occasion held at the Thabo Moorosi multi-purpose centre on December 13, 2018 attracted different stakeholders drawn from sector departments, private organisations and institutions to witness a double celebration, ie the rebranding of the trust, as well as the graduation of students who had benefitted from the trust’s bursary wing.

In her welcome address, the board chairperson of the trust, Ms Cynthia Mogodi, said that while the aim and aspirations of the trust are to serve the community of this region responsibly, the rebranding was also in tandem with sending a clear message to the intended beneficiary community that the trust is intent and resolute to transform their lives. The chief executive officer of the trust, Mr Tumelo Mpolokeng, in his purpose of the event speech, articulated at length the reason behind the change of the trust’s logo with emphasis on realigning the trust’s mandate with the community’s needs as its thrust.

“As we introduce a new corporate identity for the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust, this innovation concurrently comes along with a new strategy that defines the scope of our operations based on transforming the complexity of our community, based on education, skills development, and where necessary, infrastructural support. This vision can be achieved through the multi-sector involvement in which the trust plays an integral component in the corporate space,” explained Mr Mpolokeng.

The new logo is reflective of the big brains involved in bringing the community and the abundant manganese and iron ore in the region, together. The trust has funded 299 university students in which 236 graduated. 132 Students are currently with the FET under the bursary scheme. Mr Mpolokeng further said that about 1228 youths have benefited immensely from the information technology (IT) offered at the Youth Skills Development Centre in Kuruman. Graduates gave touching testimonials signifying the role played by the trust in transforming individuals and their immediate families – a commendable and plausible achievement.

The function was attended by sector department heads, traditional leaders, mayors and members of the community who, in unison, welcomed the reinvigorated approach by the trust as an independent entity that seeks to redress some of the socio-economic imbalances that keep communities trapped in the tentacles of poverty.