Education against the odds
Diepsloot’s LEAP 4 Science and Maths School is rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for learners from underserved communities. Established in 2011, the school is part of the pioneering LEAP Science and Maths Schools network, which provides world-class education in mathematics, physical science, and English — subjects often considered barriers to success in disadvantaged communities.
Despite being housed in a converted warehouse and operating under resource-constrained conditions, LEAP 4 has consistently achieved exceptional results, including multiple years of a 100% matric pass rate. This achievement has cemented its role as a beacon of hope in a township where opportunities are scarce and challenges — from high unemployment to inadequate infrastructure — are the norm.
A story of hope and resilience
Diepsloot is a sprawling settlement on Johannesburg’s outskirts, home to a diverse community that faces deep socio-economic challenges. Yet, through determination and resilience, LEAP 4 has become a catalyst for change, empowering its learners with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in higher education and beyond.
By offering a curriculum that includes isiZulu and Sepedi alongside English, LEAP 4 reflects and respects the cultural and linguistic diversity of its students. This approach breaks down barriers to learning and ensures that education is truly inclusive.
VW Group Africa’s impactful partnership
While LEAP 4’s achievements are extraordinary, sustaining them requires more than resilience — it takes the commitment of partners who invest in education as a tool for transformation.
This month, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) deepened its involvement in Diepsloot through its “Show of Hands” volunteer programme in collaboration with Ladles of Love. VWGA employees and their families joined forces with the school community to pack 40,000 meals, create 150 colouring books, decorate sneakers, and plant 20 sustainable food gardens.
“Through the Show of Hands programme, we are proud to live our commitment to making a difference in the lives of the communities where we operate,” said Nonkqubela Maliza, Director for Corporate and Government Affairs at Volkswagen Group Africa. “We are happy that the mini-gardens we have planted will grow to feed children even long after we have left, and to me, that is the impact and sustainability we continuously talk about.”
These initiatives are more than acts of kindness — they represent a long-term investment in Diepsloot’s youth. By ensuring that students have access to nourishment, creative tools, and supportive environments, VWGA is helping dismantle barriers to STEM education and opening pathways to careers in engineering, science, and technology.
Partnerships that multiply impact
The collaboration echoes similar empowerment drives in Diepsloot, such as the long-standing Steyn City Foundation initiatives, and is bolstered by partnerships with privileged schools like Dainfern College and corporates such as the Aveng Group.
Together, these efforts ensure that LEAP 4 not only continues to achieve record-breaking academic results — often ranking among the top-performing matric schools in South Africa — but also empowers learners with the resources and mentorship they need to excel.
Building South Africa’s future
LEAP 4 is more than a school; it is a launchpad for tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and innovators. By coupling academic excellence with strong corporate and community partnerships, it demonstrates that transformation happens when opportunity meets determination.
With Volkswagen Group Africa at its side, the story of Diepsloot’s youth is no longer one of limitation, but one of limitless potential.
📰 Empowering South Africa is at the heart of what we do at NOWinSA. For more on how corporate SA is uplifting communities and empowering the less fortunate, visit our Empower SA page.
