Malaak Compton-Rock
Executive Director
Cornelius Xulu
Country Director
THE ANGELROCK PROJECT SOUTH AFRICA
The Angelrock Project South Africa (ARPSA) is a non-profit organization which produces programming
and supports small community-based organizations in South Africa aimed at uplifting the lives of the
most marginalized, most especially the girl child. ARPSA is deeply aligned with universal human rights
doctrines, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Additionally, we seek to ensure that our work advances the ideals and goals within the South
African National Development Plan 2030, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030
Agenda.
PROGRAMMATIC AREA
The large majority of the work of ARPSA is within the informal settlement of Diepsloot, located in the
city of Johannesburg in Gauteng Province. Diepsloot was established in 1994 as a transit camp but
has developed into a densely-populated permanent home for approximately 350,000+ residents.
While Diepsloot now has substantial Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing,
many people still live in shack housing without proper access to electricity, water and sanitation. There
are approximately 18 primary and secondary schools in Diepsloot, most of which are Quintile 1 no
fee schools.
The learners at these schools are largely disadvantaged due to teacher shortages, lack of school supplies and books, overcrowded classrooms and violence. As such, there are high drop out rates and failure to pass matriculation exams. And while Diepsloot does have a bustling social and informal economic structure, the area is burdened by unemployment, gender-based violence, xenophobia and other social ills. In fact, in 2014 when studying the livelihoods of townships in South Africa, the World Bank wrote, “Economics of South African Townships: Special Focus on Diepsloot.” This study specifically illustrates the large number of working aged persons living within Diepsloot but the high rate of unemployment. Despite these intrinsic challenges, we find Diepsloot to be filled with hope, ambition and aspiration leading to everyday successes within this vibrant and resilient community. Upon request, ARPSA occasionally works in other areas of the country as well.
The learners at these schools are largely disadvantaged due to teacher shortages, lack of school supplies and books, overcrowded classrooms and violence. As such, there are high drop out rates and failure to pass matriculation exams. And while Diepsloot does have a bustling social and informal economic structure, the area is burdened by unemployment, gender-based violence, xenophobia and other social ills. In fact, in 2014 when studying the livelihoods of townships in South Africa, the World Bank wrote, “Economics of South African Townships: Special Focus on Diepsloot.” This study specifically illustrates the large number of working aged persons living within Diepsloot but the high rate of unemployment. Despite these intrinsic challenges, we find Diepsloot to be filled with hope, ambition and aspiration leading to everyday successes within this vibrant and resilient community. Upon request, ARPSA occasionally works in other areas of the country as well.
Core Programs
JOURNEY FOR CHANGE SCHOLARS FOR GIRLS
The Journey for Change Scholars for Girls is a progressive
educational program that takes into account the mental,
Our pilot cohort of scholars have been in our program for two
years and are currently in grade 9 and 10. They attend Diepsloot
Secondary School, Diepsloot Combined Secondary School, Diepsloot
West Secondary School and
Sunrise Secondary School. We are
now commencing the application
process for cohort 2 to begin in January, 2023. The 20 learners will
begin our program in grade 6 in January, 2024 and will be applying
from Akani Metmar, Diepsloot Primary, Musenga Vhadzimu and
Reshomile Primary.
physical and social well-being of our participating girls, while also
emphasizing critical thinking, character formation, creativity and
innovation.
Inspired by the educational crisis in South Africa, where historical structures have reinforced an unequal educational system, our program responds to the whole child in a collaborative, disruptive, holistic and integrated way.
Through intentional partnerships and collaborations with NGO’s, community-based organizations and schools, the program encompasses eight essential tenets: academic enrichment; advocacy, arts & culture; career guidance; gender equality, sexual health & reproductive rights; mental wellness; mentorship and nutritional health.
Ultimately, we endeavor that our scholars, who face tremendous odds, successfully graduate and move on to a university education. Our program is steeped in our commitment to uplifting the girl child, as well as advancing international human rights doctrines and goals that ensure thriving and fulfilling lives for our participating youth.
Inspired by the educational crisis in South Africa, where historical structures have reinforced an unequal educational system, our program responds to the whole child in a collaborative, disruptive, holistic and integrated way.
Through intentional partnerships and collaborations with NGO’s, community-based organizations and schools, the program encompasses eight essential tenets: academic enrichment; advocacy, arts & culture; career guidance; gender equality, sexual health & reproductive rights; mental wellness; mentorship and nutritional health.
Ultimately, we endeavor that our scholars, who face tremendous odds, successfully graduate and move on to a university education. Our program is steeped in our commitment to uplifting the girl child, as well as advancing international human rights doctrines and goals that ensure thriving and fulfilling lives for our participating youth.
NELSON MANDELA DAY PROGRAMMING
In celebration of Nelson Mandela Day, ARPSA offers a wide range of transformative and meaningful
programming to vulnerable primary and secondary school learners. We join fellow South African
citizens to take an #actionagainstpoverty and join the global movement for good.
Our week-long programming has the central theme of “Ending gender-based violence and achieving gender equality.” Yearly activities include, but are not limited to a Gender Equality and Empowerment Panel for Girls, an Entrepreneurial and Leadership Camp at the African Leadership Academy (ALA), a Cultural and Remembrance Day which pays tribute to Mandela’s legacy and a Community Soccer Match for 800 youth. Additionally, we host a fundraiser for the Journey for Change Scholars for Girls and programming for Gogo’s who are raising their orphaned grandchildren.
ARPSA is dedicated to uplifting as many lives as possible during this fruitful week of service. Our organization stands in solidarity with South Africans and the world community to amplify Madiba’s message to make the world a better place for all.
Our week-long programming has the central theme of “Ending gender-based violence and achieving gender equality.” Yearly activities include, but are not limited to a Gender Equality and Empowerment Panel for Girls, an Entrepreneurial and Leadership Camp at the African Leadership Academy (ALA), a Cultural and Remembrance Day which pays tribute to Mandela’s legacy and a Community Soccer Match for 800 youth. Additionally, we host a fundraiser for the Journey for Change Scholars for Girls and programming for Gogo’s who are raising their orphaned grandchildren.
ARPSA is dedicated to uplifting as many lives as possible during this fruitful week of service. Our organization stands in solidarity with South Africans and the world community to amplify Madiba’s message to make the world a better place for all.
Auxiliary Programs
All of our auxiliary programs are in partnership with local grass-roots partners. We seek to uplift
and amplify the work of our partners and are very intentional that our collaborations advance the
Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty by 2030.
CLEAN AND SAFE WATER INITIATIVE
Clean and safe water is a human right and is essential for human survival. Unfortunately, not all
learners have access to this vital resource. This is such the case at many government schools in
Diepsloot who rely on unsafe borehole water. Hence, ARPSA partnered with Zero Mass Water
to install the state-of-the-art SOURCE water system to provide clean an safe water to thousands
of learners at Musenga Vhadizumu Primary School. The eco-friendly water panels produce water
through sunlight and learners access the water through dispensers located in individual classrooms,
the library and the administrative building. There are plans to install this system in three more
government schools in Diepsloot.
COVID-19 / EMERGENCY INITIATIVES
While ARPSA is not an emergency relief organization, during COVID-19 we provided immediate relief
due to the devastating impact of the pandemic. Working in both urban and rural areas, we produced
and circulated 30,000 information cards on COVID-19 safety and mental health resources in 4 official
languages. Additionally, we distributed 5,300 face masks, 4000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 1,300
liters of clean drinking water. Further, we distributed food packs to 5,700 people in Mpumalanga,
provided food vouchers to 2,115 people in Diepsloot and distributed 350 blankets to residents living in
a squatter camp. We are proud that ARPSA can pivot, partner and support whenever it is necessary
on an emergency basis.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
In addition to the Journey for Change Scholars for Girls, ARPSA seeks out additional opportunities to
uplift vulnerable learners through collaborative partnerships and sponsorships. To this end, we were
proud to recently sponsor 50 learners to attend the highly respected 3-week Global Scholars Camp
(GSP) with other young people from all over the world. Built around ALA’s unique entrepreneurship
and leadership curriculum, GSP inspires future leaders to create a blueprint for a better Africa. This is
in addition to sending hundreds of other learners to ALA for various programs throughout the years.
Furthermore, in 2020 we sponsored 10 learners to travel to Rome, Italy for a global youth conference
where they interacted with thousands of other young activists from around the world. Additionally,
when governmental schools reach out to us to help scale up their programs, whenever possible, we are
proud to support this work.
EXCURSIONS
Arts and culture is dynamic in a nation as diverse as South Africa. Therefore, we are intentional
about our desire that youth are regularly exposed to different cultural opportunities outside of their
home environment. As such, we sponsor various excursions that are meant to educate and uplift.
Examples include taking 150 learners to view the iconic movie “Black Panther. Further, we sponsored
an additional 150 learners to view “The WomenKing” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” all of
which showcase South African art and personify African excellence. Through the Journey for Change
Scholars for Girls, we also coordinate monthly excursions to expose our learners to the diversity and
richness of South Africa.
GOGO SUPPORT
ARPSA has a long history of supporting Gogo’s who are caring for their orphaned grandchildren.
Projects have included income-generating schemes, finance and saving programs, food gardens,
monthly food packs and mental health support. Additionally, when needed, we provide support to
obtain birth certificates, qualifying governmental grants and necessary referrals.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT
Many South Africans are food insecure with diets lacking in sufficient
micronutrients. ARPSA provides monthly food packs to the scholars
enrolled in the Journey for Change Scholars for Girls, as well as to the
grandmothers in our Gogo Support group. Additionally, we started
and manage a food garden that provides a bounty of fresh vegetables
for our families and school feeding schemes. Moreover, during the
COVID-19 pandemic, we distributed food packs to 5,700 persons
in Mpumalanga and provided food vouchers to 2,115 persons in
Diepsloot. Our organization is dedicated to food justice and the
human right to an adequate standard of living.
NON-PROFIT STATUS
The Angelrock Project South Africa is a NPC registered as a NPO with the Department of Social
Development. We have PBO registration and Section 18A status and are a B-BBEE Level 1 EME.
PBO NO: 930 069 364.
Registration Number: 230-595 NPO
PBO NO: 930 069 364.
Registration Number: 230-595 NPO
CURRENT STAFF
Malaak Compton-Rock
Founder and Executive Director
The Angelrock Project South Africa
The Journey for Change Scholars
for Girls
Cornelius Xulu
Country Director
The Angelrock Project
South Africa
Ayanda Timothy
Program Coordinator
The Journey for Change Scholars
for Girls
Thabo Maake
Head Community Worker
The Angelrock Project South Africa
The Journey for Change Scholars
for Girls
Nono Maseko
Social Worker / Mental Health Specialist
The Journey for Change Scholars
for Girls
Kebonye Louw
Literacy Specialist
The Journey for Change Scholars
for Girls
CURRENT STAFF
@arprojectsa
@malaak_compton_rock
@journey_for_change
@malaak_compton_rock
@journey_for_change
@ARProject
@ARProjectSA
@Journey4Change
@ARProjectSA
@Journey4Change
Website
www.angelrockprojectsouthfrica.org
It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education. Those who do not believe this have small imaginations.” “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”
