About Us

The Reality

South Africa’s education is in crisis. Our schools urgently need young professional teachers who have the discipline, passion and classroom experience to provide our children with the education that they deserve.

In recent years, studies have found that there are unqualified teachers working in our schools, about half of Grade 6 teachers cannot read at the internationally accepted level for Grade 4 children and 80% of Grade 6 students are being taught mathematics by teachers who cannot do Grade 6 mathematics. The devastating result is that more than 80% of Grade 4 pupils cannot read for meaning, and South Africa’s mathematics scores are amongst the lowest world-wide. South Africa’s pupils want to become university students, and graduating students want to find jobs and live fulfilled lives. They need teachers who care. Matriculants who have the desire, talent and academic rigour to become good teachers, but who cannot afford tertiary studies or whose circumstances prevent them from completing their degrees, need our support to follow their dreams. With six out of ten youth unemployed, we must help young people from vulnerable communities to build sustainable careers.

Our Response

Realema was founded to develop passionate and professional teachers for South Africa, while also helping people escape the poverty cycle by building sustainable careers in teaching. While we want to develop as many teachers as possible, we also believe in helping one student at a time.

The ripple effect of developing teachers from vulnerable communities is enormous. An independent impact assessment found that for each R100 000 spent at Realema, the value created is R971 000. Yes, it is worthwhile to support, mentor and guide one teacher, who will in turn positively impact classrooms and communities for many years to come.

Realema’s students work full time at our partner schools for the duration of their teaching degrees, where they receive best-practice teacher training and mentoring by some of the best teachers in the country. Without good teachers there cannot be good teaching, and good teachers seldom walk straight out of university lecture halls into school classrooms. It takes time in the classroom to become a good teacher who can navigate challenging situations and bring out the best in each child. Teaching is a demanding profession where you are on your feet, kept on your toes and under the spotlight all the times.

Realema’s mentoring, psychological and tutoring programmes help our interns to navigate their academic, personal and professional challenges so that, when they graduate from Realema, they are equipped for success, and for the mentoring roles that they will take on in turn.

Our donors and wonderful partner schools have made it possible for us to continue growing our Johannesburg and Cape Town clusters. Thank you for believing in us. There is still much work to be done. It is our mission to continue expanding but never to value quantity over quality. We vow always to work with our heads and our hearts – we will not lose the personal touch – and to develop each individual intern into the best teachers that they can be.

Realema has invested in me, and I will invest in others – that has been my motto throughout this internship. My life has undergone a transformative journey. Realema’s financial support has not only allowed me to pursue my teaching degree but has also alleviated financial burdens, fundamentally altering the path of my life. The precious experience at Holy Rosary School has shaped my professional growth, providing practical insights into teaching that extend beyond the classroom. The guidance and mentorship I received have ingrained essential life lessons, fostering resilience and adaptability. I am grateful for Realema’s support, I’ve learned the significance of community involvement, and the profound impact education has on individuals and society. This internship has been a cornerstone in my educational journey, showcasing the power of mentorship and financial backing in fostering personal and professional development.”

– Kalian Allies

Who We Are

Our Team

Our management team, supported by a Board of Trustees, has the expertise and passion needed to run a successful and growing education non-profit organisation and trust such as Realema, and our dedicated academic tutors come with a lifetime of teaching and subject knowledge. Operational duties include engaging with our multiple stakeholders, implementing our programme plan, offering mentoring and academic support to our interns, marketing and fundraising, and the financial oversight and governance of Realema. The team also develops and implements Realema’s expansion and sustainability strategies.

PATRICK LEES

Founder, Executive Committee and Trustee

Patrick is a passionate educator with nearly 30 years’ experience as a teacher. He served as headmaster of our founding partner school, St John’s Preparatory, for ten years and as the Executive Headmaster of Pridwin Preparatory School for three years. He is currently the headmaster of Kearsney College in KwaZulu-Natal. Patrick has a heartfelt desire to develop teachers in the holistic interest of children. He is excited about transformation and 21st century education and its relevance to the South African context.

PIER MYBURGH

CEO, Executive Committee and Trustee

Pier started her working life as a journalist at the Financial Mail. She became a stockbroker in 1988, trading derivatives for ten years during which time she owned her own stockbroking firm. She has completed a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and published short stories in South Africa and the USA. After consulting in corporate sustainability, she joined Patrick Lees in 2013, to design, launch and implement Realema’s programme plan and strategy.

NOMBUSO RAMOKGOPA

Trustee

Nombuso qualified as a professional nurse and midwife from Chris Hani-Baragwanath Nursing College in 1996 and has worked in both the public and private healthcare sectors in various capacities. She is involved in the care space for the elderly and in youth and women upliftment projects. Nombuso holds a Master’s Degree in Bioethics from Wits University, is a member of the IoDSA and serves on boards of several nonprofit organisations.

Dr Daniel Pretorius

Dr Daniel Pretorius

Trustee

Daniel is a partner at Bowmans, practicing in the public law and regulatory areas, with a special focus on education. Daniel has served on the governing bodies of St John’s College, Holy Family College, St Martin de Porres School, and St Augustine College of South Africa. From 2013 until 2018, he took a sabbatical from law to teach History and Latin at St John’s College. During that time, he served on many of the school’s committees, including the transformation & diversity committee.

GRAEME MONTGOMERY

GRAEME MONTGOMERY

Trustee

Graeme is an Independent Business Advisor and Non-Executive Director serving on several boards and governance committees. His previous executive roles include being the Head of Corporate Banking and the Private Bank at Standard Bank, as well as a Senior Industrial Advisor at Financial Investment Group Brait. He has been a Trustee of the St John’s College Foundation since 2009 and served as Chairman from January 2016 to May 2018. He was also a member of the St John’s College Council from 2010 until February 2019.

SELLO KGOSIMORE

Johannesburg Manager and Mentor

Sello holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Himself having been a beneficiary of a non-profit, he feels a strong sense of devotion to the community. He has a decade of experience in the NPO space, where he has held roles in fundraising, relationship and teacher internship management, with a focus on working with students, schools, universities and government departments. Sello started his professional career at Daimler Chrysler SA (Mercedes-Benz SA) as a graduate trainee, from where he went on to manage the Dealer Compliance team, as well as Fleet Pricing, Sales and Key Accounts.

CATHERINE STEENKAMP

Cape Town Manager, Head of Academic Tutoring, Academic Tutor

Catherine Steenkamp has been involved in various facets of education for her entire career. She has taught English at both high school and primary school level and has also supervised and mentored postgraduate student teachers during their teaching practice. She has a keen interest in language and language acquisition and has an Honours degree in Applied Linguistics.

GILL GALLAGHER

Academic Tutor, Johannesburg

Gill Gallagher has extensive experience, having taught both the IEB and government school curriculum. Prior to joining Realema five years ago, she primarily focused on teaching and guiding children with special needs. Before relocating to Johannesburg, she was also the principal of a school that followed the IEB curriculum from Grades 1 to 12.

CEBILE MTSHALI

Academic Tutor, Johannesburg

Cebi began her career at De Beers Research Laboratory as a Research Scientist in 1995, during which time she obtained her Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Upon transitioning to motherhood, she dedicated herself to nurturing her family, actively participating in her children’s education and school community. In 2013, she joined Patrick Lees and his team, to help realise the Realema dream, with a focus on mentorship. Today, as an academic tutor, Cebi combines her knowledge and passion to support the teachers of tomorrow.

JENNIFER COURT

Academic Tutor, Cape Town

Jennifer holds a Master of Education Degree. Her career in education has spanned the school and NGO sector. She has taught at the primary and high school level in both state and independent schools. She has had leadership experience as Deputy Head of Sacred Heart College, Somerset House Preparatory and Head of Herschel Preparatory, as well as the Executive Director of the Association for Educational Transformation. Jennifer believes that developing great teachers is crucial for shaping future generations who can contribute to positive societal change.