Cape Town and the Western Cape is one of South Africa’s fastest-growing region. With the province’s population growing at a rapid pace, so has the demand for quality education.
In response, Edu Invest, powered by Wesgro, in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Accelerate Cape Town, hosted the Invest in Education 2025 conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The engagement included the launch of the Guide to Investing in Education, a resource developed to support private sector investment into the education sector.
In his official address, Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier, highlighted the critical link between education and economic growth and remarked: “Investment in quality education is an investment in economic growth.” Reinforcing this point, he said: “If we don’t get education right, we are not going to get economic growth right. If we don’t get economic growth right, we are not going to get job creation right. And it we don’t get job creation right, we are not going to get South Africa right.”
“Education is a critical driver of economic growth,” agreed Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander. “Through Edu Invest, Wesgro is working to facilitate greater levels of private investment in education to help meet growing demand.”
More than 1.3 million learners are currently enrolled in the province’s schools, with a further 120,000 expected to enter the system by 2030. This expanding learner population presents an opportunity to invest in scalable, sustainable infrastructure and resources that will support continued growth and quality education.
Educational Performance
The Western Cape continues to lead in several education indicators. In 2022, the province recorded the highest literacy and numeracy rates in South Africa, with learners performing above the national average in early-grade reading assessments (PIRLS). The 2024 matric pass rate of 86.6% further reflects ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes.
“While there has been steady progress, challenges remain,” said Stander. “Stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors will be essential to expand access and improve the quality of education,” she added.
Accelerate Cape Town CEO, Ryan Ravens, echoed this sentiment while moderating a panel discussion under the theme “Finding the Right Channel for Investing in Education,” which unpacked the role businesses play in the education value chain and to help drive STEM skills development.
“Education isn’t just about social upliftment – it’s also about long-term economic growth. As business leaders, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to invest in solutions that build a stronger education system and prepare our future workforce.”
The panel featured Judy Robison, Managing Director at the Forvis Mazars Institute of Development, Kelly Joshua, Head of Education Investment at Old Mutual, Sustainability Specialist Leela Moodley, and Salie Abrahams, Deputy Director-General: Education Planning at the Western Cape Education Department. They each shared insights on how targeted investment can deliver real impact and help build a strong pipeline of STEM talent.
Impact of Private Investment
Under the theme Where Investment Meets Success, five schools – COSAT, APEX Education Group, Claremont High School, Silikamva High School, and Christel House South Africa – all showcased their successes and highlighted key areas in which how private funding can accelerate progress, and significantly improve education outcomes for the schools.
A Guide for Investors
The Guide to Investing in Education aims to assist businesses and funders in understanding where and how to contribute effectively. The guide outlines opportunities for investment in infrastructure, early childhood development, educational technology, and teacher development.
The Guide outlines clear pathways for investors, whether through direct investment, CSI initiatives, or philanthropic contributions to support the education sector. “The guide serves as a starting point for business leaders and potential funders,” said Stander. “Investing in education is not only an investment in learners, but in the long-term growth of our region’s economy,” Stander concluded.
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About Edu Invest
Edu Invest is a catalytic project powered by Wesgro, in collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department, with the objective of attracting private sector investment into the Western Cape’s education sector. This includes a focus on new school builds. The initiative is not only aimed at driving financial investment but also about leveraging corporate social investment to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape.