Introducing Roedean’s new Junior School Head

We are absolutely delighted to introduce Mrs Keshma Patel, our new Head of Junior School, who will be starting at Roedean in Term 1 of 2025. With 14 years of teaching experience and a decade in senior leadership roles, Keshma’s journey has been driven by her dedication to education, especially girls’ education. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Head at St Cyprian’s Preparatory School, where she has honed her skills and vision in nurturing young minds and shaping future leaders. From her first year as a Grade 4 teacher in a large state school, she has felt a calling to lead and bring about meaningful change in education. Being appointed Grade Head ignited a spark, propelling her toward leadership and transformation. Her career has been characterised by her unwavering ambition to innovate and elevate educational standards

Mrs Patel’s role as deputy head at St Cyprian’s School has given her a comprehensive understanding of the importance of creating an inclusive, dynamic, and impactful educational environment. She is passionate about innovative and relevant teaching methods and bringing her team along with me on the journey. Her practical and theoretical knowledge allows her to lead with understanding, experience, and compassion.

Mrs Patel holds a Bachelor of Science in English, Public Policy, and Religion. A Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) as well as a Bachelor of Education Degree (B Ed). Leadership, mentorship, curriculum development, student support as well as community engagement are a few skills that she has honed and that will be key to the success of her role.

Mrs Patel is excited to join Roedean and looks forward to leading a team dedicated to empowering young learners through education and says: “Roedean’s values of Truth, Honour, Freedom and Courtesy resonate deeply with my own. I am excited and committed to continue fostering the culture of excellence, creativity and influence that Roedean strives for; and to encourage our staff and students to live a life of significance.”

Please join us in welcoming Mrs Patel to Roedean. We look forward to the valuable contribution that she will make with the support of the Roedean Community.

PRESS RELEASE: Roedean School (SA) partners with CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa.

Rallying together to support childhood cancer Roedean School (SA) partners with CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa.

  • September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Buy your Childhood Cancer ribbon to show your support and raise awareness.

Around 80% of all childhood cancer cases globally occur in low- and middle-income countries yet less than a third of children are diagnosed in these countries and of those that are treated, less than 20% survive (South African Government Official Information and services, 2024).

We are proud to announce our partnership with CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, a non-profit organisation that advocates for the health and wellbeing of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their families. “Our shared and non-negotiable core values of service and teamwork with the aim of transforming our world continues to be the pillars that encourage us to stand up and support the well-being of our communities” said Lindi Dlamini, Executive Director.

We call our community to come together in support of our efforts to spread awareness of childhood cancer, early diagnosis as well as treatment. From 13 September to 20 September, you will be able to buy a gold ribbon for as little as R15,00. The ribbon will serve as a way for individuals to show their allegiance and advocate for research and resources.

We would really like to make an effort befitting of Roedean, so we urge our community to fully support us in meeting our target of R100 000. We encourage you to #PlayYourPart to ensure that affected families have the means to send their children to hospital for cancer treatment. Unfortunately, for most families sending a child to hospital has an adverse impact on necessities of daily living such as food and shelter.

#PlayYourPart and donate now via:

Ribbons can be collected from Junior School Reception or Senior School Reception upon confirmation of payment.

May we continue to live our values and participate actively in social responsibility. Like and follow us on our social media channels to learn more about Childhood Cancer and how you can #PlayYourPart

Warm regards

Mrs Lindi Dlamini

Executive Director

World Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Day

The 28th of May is recognised as World Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Day.

Roedean School (SA) partners up with Blossom Care to raise awareness and to help play their part in solving period poverty.

Period Poverty is a serious issue that affects up to 30% of young girls of school going age in South Africa. The pandemic results in these girls losing up to an average of 3-5 days of school every month. This coupled with the social taboos that still exist around menstruation negatively affect development outcomes for girls in township schools (our targeted focus group).

From 28 May till 28 July, you can play your part in breaking the cycle of period poverty for as little as R250 to provide pads for a year and afford each girl the maximum number of days that she needs to attend school for a brighter tomorrow. The proceeds generated will be allocated to the Roedean School (SA) corporate social responsibility partner; Phedišang Community Development Project in Limpopo. 

From the 4-10 August, students will further take the lead in a women’s health initiative within the Phedišang Community as the next step to breaking the cycle centred around the girl-child.

 ‘Empowering access to education as girls transition to womanhood, by removing the potential for feeling ashamed and restoring dignity, uplifts so many in our society. Roedean is grateful for our relationship with Blossom which enhances our ability to have a significant positive impact on lives beyond our gates.’ (Annabel Roberts, 2023)

The change starts with you. Donate now: https://blossomcare.co.za/donate/

Add Roedean as a reference in the notes section.

About Blossom Care Solutions

Blossom Care Solutions is a mission-centric social enterprise, focused on the manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of sanitary pads in township and rural markets across South Africa. We exist to eliminate period poverty and improve development outcomes for girls in grades 5-12, in areas where we are located; create jobs that are sustainable, via a deliberate women centred approach; and to establish small Black-owned, women-led businesses via our social franchise model.

About Phedišang Community Development Project

The project is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) located in the Maruleng District of Limpopo and focuses on providing essential services to vulnerable children. The organisation offers psycho-social support and nutritious meals to these children. Operating through five centers, Phedišang Community Development Project serves as a safe haven, offering homework supervision as well as assistance with social welfare documentation and healthcare, ensuring the holistic well-being of the children.

Welcoming Mrs Lindiwe Dlamini as Executive Director

Roedean school is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Lindiwe (Lindi) Dlamini in the newly created role of Executive Director from 1 January 2023.

The Executive Director position was created with the intention of addressing the ever- expanding role and the resultant pressures on the Heads of schools. The Head of the Senior School will be announced later this year.

Mrs Dlamini is an experienced and well-respected leader having worked in both the Not- for-Profit and corporate sectors. She brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership skill having built and headed up numerous teams, sat on various boards and participated as a Fellow and member of several international initiatives.

Mrs Dlamini is currently the CEO of the president’s GBVF Response Fund1, set up in 2021 to resource the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Having been tasked with laying the foundations and having settled the organisation, she is ready to hand over the reins. Mrs Dlamini was previously CEO of Safrican Insurance Company, Group Executive of PPS Human Capital, MD of Alexander Forbes Retail and Group Executive for Emerging Consumer Markets and Retail Operations in South Africa at Liberty Holdings. She has over twenty-five years of financial services experience. She holds BA and LLB degrees from the University of Swaziland and an LLM in tax law from Wits University. She has undergone senior leadership training at Manchester Business School and participated in a Global Leadership course at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a Fellow of the sixth class of the Africa Leadership Initiative-South Africa (ALI-SA) and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN).

She is passionate about mentoring and coaching young women and is thrilled to join Roedean where tradition is respected but change is embraced.

Mrs Lindi Dlamini is excited about taking up the position and says,

“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be joining the Roedean community as Executive Director. The privilege of joining an enduring bastion of excellence such as Roedean is one I don’t take for granted. I look forward to making a meaningful and sustainable contribution to inspiring our students on their journey towards a life of significance. Working with the leadership team and supported by the Board as well as the Roedean community, I look forward to amplifying the excellent work of our academic staff.”

Chair Ms Audrey Mothupi added:

“We look forward to the valuable contribution Mrs Dlamini will make as she works with our Roedean staff, PTA, SAORA and most importantly our students. We welcome and wish Mrs Dlamini and her family a happy and long time at our remarkable school. The board looks forward to working with her and the EXCO teams to drive the strategic vision and ensure Roedean’s place as a leading global private school.”