As you might be aware, Waterford Kamhlaba started Term 2 of 2020 through Online Teaching and Learning (OTL), following an early first term break due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns across the world. Although this is a new way of teaching and learning for all of us at WK, we are happy to report that both students and staff are approaching it with a positive spirit and making full use of it. Since this is not home-schooling but online teaching and learning, the idea is to make sure that the school continues with as many of our usual activities with very little disruptions. We have managed to hold assembly  every week, and we plan on continuing with other virtual activities to make sure that we keep the vibrancy of the Kamhlaba community.

Thank you to our alumni all over the world who continue to support the school; we appreciate you. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided our Kamhlaba community with an opportunity to provide leadership for Africa and the world as many of our alumni are already involved in impact mitigating initiatives in different parts of the word. Thank you for taking the UWC values with you wherever you go. Surely, the Phoenix is rising despite the COVID-19 outbreak!

Waterford School Trust (WST), London, UK

Established in 1962, the Waterford School Trust, is one year older than the College and was established to provide support to the school. The WST still exists and the Trustees remain committed to the College and to the goal of providing quality education to deserving students through bursaries and scholarship. This February Amanda West (WK ’80) stepped down as Chair of the Trust and has been replaced by Robert Creighton. On behalf of the College and the WK Community we would like to take this moment to say thank you to Amanda for her dedicated to Waterford Kamhlaba for her continued support. Thanks to Amanda’s daughter Molly, we managed to gather a few pictures of Amanda’s time at WK and we’ve put together a small tribute to Amanda.

Waterford Kamhlaba Foundation of South Africa (WKFSA)

Established in the same year as the Trust, the school greatly appreciates the support that we receive from the Waterford Kamhlaba Foundation of South Africa (WKFSA). Built at the height of oppression during apartheid South Africa, the Foundation exists to give the opportunity for international education to young South Africans without any form of restriction. The Foundation, led by alumni, continues with its hard work to ensure a wide reach of fundraising efforts. From the funds that the Foundation has raised over the years, opportunities have been created for future leaders for Africa, young minds have been enlightened, global opportunities have been unlocked, unique networks have been established across the world, great ideas have been exchanged and social change has been enacted. Read more about the Foundation and meet its trustees.

This season of lockdown has many challenges, but it also presents an opportunity for us to connect more and even more to learn from each other. The silver lining of this pandemic is that it has compelled us to slow down, to see and process the world with a slightly different mindset. WK Alumni Relations has created a virtual space for our alumni to connect with each other during this time, but also bring alumni and current students together. We will be bringing you feature stories on alumni, a virtual speaker series and memories. In addition, we will use this space to keep you updated on the virtual activities the College and students are involved that you can take part in.

"I had spent all my life in Johannesburg and was suddenly in a new country and an international community." Read more

Career opportunities exist in the African Union Commission. The African Union Commission (AUC) is the secretariat of the African Union (AU) and undertakes the day to day activities of the Union. It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Do you have fond memories of WK that you would like to share? Please send an email and share those memories; they will get published in our next edition.