Saturday School

Investing in our youth

At NTT DATA, we’re committed to positively impacting our communities by delivering sustainable value. Our mission is to make a difference in the areas of education, job opportunities and economic growth by constantly seeking new and innovative ways of using technology to change the lives of young people.

Over the past 28 years, NTT DATA in MEA has run a Saturday School which has assisted thousands of high-school learners improve their marks and achieve excellent results in matric.

Our successful Saturday School program is our flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the region. The program runs every Saturday of the school calendar year and offers supplemental education to Grade 11 and 12 learners from underserved communities. This initiative ensures that their knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is enhanced. It accelerates their prospects for tertiary education and success in both their learning and careers.

The Saturday School currently functions in South Africa, supporting 100 learners each year in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Based on its success, a pilot program was rolled out in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape in 2020. From supporting 11 Grade 11 learners, it’s grown to support a total of 40 Grade 11 and 12 learners.

Most of our learners have become qualified professionals and some have joined NTT DATA through our graduate programs.

We recently celebrated with our 2022 matriculants at our annual graduation ceremony.

Our Johannesburg matriculants achieved a 100% pass rate, 86% with university entrance and 59 distinctions in total.

Saturday School’s top achievers

Johannesburg: Mmakwena Moichela

Diepsloot Combined School

Mmakwena Moichela

Diepsloot Combined School

Mmakwena scored an average of 84.3% with 6 distinctions and is studying mathematical sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Tshegofatso Kgatla

Kwebhekilanga Secondary School

Tshegofatso Kgatla

Kwebhekilanga Secondary School

Tshegofatso scored an average of 81% with 4 distinctions and is studying civil engineering at Wits.

Lawton Springbok

Westbury Secondary School

Lawton Springbok

Westbury Secondary School

Lawton scored an average of 81% with 4 distinctions and is studying toward a bachelor of science at the University of Cape Town.

Nasiphi Ntontela

Kwebhekilanga Secondary School

Nasiphi Ntontela

Kwebhekilanga Secondary School

Nasiphi scored an average of 81% with 4 distinctions and currently studying computer science at Wits.

Bontle Sebolai

Florida Park High School

Bontle Sebolai

Florida Park High School

Bontle scored an average of 80% with 4 distinctions and is studying towards a bachelor of science in biological sciences at Wits.

Nobuhle Dlamini

Jiyana Secondary School

Nobuhle Dlamini

Jiyana Secondary School

Nobuhle scored an average of 80% with 4 distinctions and currently studying metallurgical engineering at Wits.

Sharin Sosibo

Diepsloot Combined School

Sharin Sosibo

Diepsloot Combined School

Sharin scored an average of 80% with 4 distinctions and is studying towards a bachelor of computing through Belgium Campus iTversity.
Gqeberha: Onwabisa Tili

Ethembeni Enrichment Centre

Onwabisa Tili

Ethembeni Enrichment Centre

Onwabisa scored an average of 88% with 7 distinctions and is studying medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

Dillon Williams

Victoria Park High School

Dillon Williams

Victoria Park High School

Dillon scored an average of 73% with 1 distinction and is studying mechatronics at Nelson Mandela University, funded by Dimension Data.

Asiphe Dzonngwa

Kwamagaxaki Secondary School

Asiphe Dzonngwa

Kwamagaxaki Secondary School

Asiphe scored an average of 73% with 2 distinctions and is studying computer science at the University of Johannesburg, funded by Dimension Data.

Asekho Kalipa

Walmer High School

Asekho Kalipa

Walmer High School

Asekho scored an average of 71% with 3 distinctions and is studying media and communications at the University of the Western Cape.
Most improved: Kaone Lekwalo

Westbury Secondary School

Kaone Lekwalo

Westbury Secondary School

Kaone was a level 3 (40%) on Maths when she joined the Saturday School. At the end of Grade 12 she improved to a level 5 (60%) with 3 distinctions and an average of 77%.

Kaone was awarded a full bursary by Dimension Data to study information systems at Wits.

Chulumanco Gwadela

Tyhilulwazi Senior Secondary School

Chulumanco Gwadela

Tyhilulwazi Senior Secondary School

Chulumanco was a level 4 (50%) when she joined the Saturday School. Through her hard work and commitment to the program, she improved to a level 5 (60%) in her final matric exams, obtained 2 distinctions with an average of 68% and was among the Top 5 performers in the Class of 2022.

Chulumanco was awarded a full bursary by Dimension Data to study IT through Belgium Campus.
Graduate success stories: Scherodene Devalogan

Associate Enterprise Applications Consultant

Scherodene Devalogan

Associate Enterprise Applications Consultant

Sherodene graduated from the Saturday school in 2016 with 5 distinctions. She studied BSc in Mathematical Statistics at the University of Pretoria, fully funded by Dimension Data and joined our graduate programme in 2021.

Her life motto is: “When your mind and body fail you, let your passion carry you through.”

Thabiso Motha

Cloud Product Manager

Thabiso Motha

Cloud Product Manager

Thabiso graduated from the Saturday School in 2013 with 5 distinctions. He studied BSc Mining Engineering at Wits University, fully funded by Dimension Data and joined our Young Talent Graduate Programme in 2019.

“Saturday School an extraordinary opportunity to an ordinary learner. It uncovered immense potential that laid dormant in me. It’s an incubation hub for excellence.”

Kuhle Shongwe

Young Talent Graduate Programme intern

Kuhle Shongwe

Young Talent Graduate Programme intern

Kuhle graduated from the Saturday School in 2019. He studied Supply Chain Management at the University of Pretoria, fully funded by Dimension Data and joined our graduate programme in 2023.

“The Saturday School is an opportunity that empowers people from disadvantaged communities to take charge of their lives, in turn inspire their communities that it is possible to do great things irrespective of where you come from.”

Karabo Sephofane

Organization & Job Design Analyst

Karabo Sephofane

Organization & Job Design Analyst

Karabo graduated from the Saturday School in 2015 with 4 distinctions. He studied Medical Microbiology at the University of Pretoria, fully funded by our partner, Moshal Scholarship Program, and joined our Young Talent Graduate Programme in 2020.

“Leaders are nurtured with patience. The Saturday School was patient with our growth and development and ensured that we leave the Saturday School with a holistic experience.”