How ABESA is constituted and what it aims to do
Governance
How we are constituted:
ABESA is a constituted Non-Profit Company Registration No. 2005/039042/08
ABESA is also registered as a Public Benefit Organisation(PBO No.930023421)
As an Anglican Christian community concerned for the well-being, quality and ethos of both independent and public education in Southern Africa, to promote and enhance the quality of education within the area of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and more particularly:
To strengthen what the Church is already doing in the field of education;
To encourage and foster the creation of more excellent church schools for all;
To encourage parishes in the ongoing upliftment of all their communities through partnership with local public schools;
To raise funds both nationally and internationally for these purposes.
The Anglican Board of Education was formally constituted in November
- It limited its activities to the Western Cape and its particular focus was to identify and support Anglican Church Schools who had been taken over by the government but still operated on Church land. These historic
mission/parish schools had been neglected and faced particular challenges.
In 2013 the board of the ABE resigned and a new board was selected by the Provincial Synod. The vision of the new board was not limited to the
Western Cape but included the whole Province of the Anglican Church. The Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba is the Patron and Bishop Emeritus Peter
Lee is Chairman. (Endorsement from the Archbishop and Provincial Standing Committee – Annexure B).
More about how we are Constituted
Is ABESA a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) with Section 18A tax status?
Who is on the board and how were they selected?
Selection of Board Members
The board members were selected by the Anglican Church Provincial Synod and their selection represents the broad spectrum of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa. The persons include clergy, regional representation, schools, and prominent individuals involved in education and business. It does not represent only the schools sector, but it intentionally represents the wider Church. The Provincial Synod is the highest governing authority of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA). All the Bishops of ACSA are represented on this body.
In the future when vacancies occur on the board they will be led from recommendations from the Anglican Board of Education, and approved by the Provincial Synod.
The board according to its Memorandum of Incorporation has the right to appoint advisory committees from time to time.
What is the funding plan for ABE?
Several sources of funding are envisaged.
The Anglican Church has made a donation to the organisation to cover the start-up costs.
To ensure sustainability, all Anglican Church Schools will be asked to make an annual financial contribution, if they are able to. Currently about 30 Schools are making and annual contribution of between 30% and 50% of their annual tuition fee.
The third area of funding will come from donations from individuals, businesses, Trust and or Foundations who believe in the work of ABESA. A fundraising committee will be appointed to seek this kind of sponsorship. Funding will be sought for specific projects such as the start of new Anglican Schools.
Will the Anglican Board of Education prevent schools from pursuing their own community service agenda?
The Anglican Board of Education supports and encourages all community partnership projects from individual schools, particularly those which are focused on the stated objectives of ABESA to grow quality, accessible Christian education and schools.
The full impact of the social contribution of Anglican Schools is very significant and a cause for humility and pride. More information regarding school community partnership initiatives can be accessed here. [Link to page listing all initiatives with hyperlinks to websites as provided by schools]
Who is the Executive Director?
Revd Jaques Pretorius attended Michaelhouse, and Rhodes University where he obtained a Bachelor of Theology Honours in Systematic Theology and a Master of Theology in the same. He has worked as a parish priest, leadership and inclusion & diversity consultant, and a school chaplain.
He has served as Chairperson of the National Independent Schools Chaplains Conference, as well as a Governor on the Boards of two Anglican Church Schools. Revd Jaques Pretorius.
Who will the Executive Director report to?
The Executive Director will report to the Chairman of the Board, Bishop Emeritus Peter Lee with an annual review of performance. The board will submit annual reports to the Provincial Synod and the Provincial Standing Committee. The board will also publish an annual report for all members and donors. The board will be accountable to the Provincial Synod.