When ROGZ started in 1995 in Cape Town, South Africa, all energies went into building a stable company. The vision was always to build a company that does more than just sell the world’s coolest pet gear. It was to provide jobs for the local community, and also empower their families. And so, our NPO, ROGZ Academy, was started.
ROGZ co-founders, Irené and Paul, wanted to create a culture of caring, being real, following passions and being a part of the change. ROGZ Academy has grown from a fledgling passion project started in 2013 to a non-profit making a meaningful difference.
And so our non-profit organisation evolved in 2013 and was formally registered in 2016.
Assisting Grade 3s and 4s with Numeracy and Literacy in under-resourced schools to improve the transition from learning in isiXhosa to English. Assisting Early Learning Development Centres so that little ones have a better ground before beginning Grade 1.
Upskilling and mentoring 18-25 year old youth from under-resourced communities through the YearBeyond programme to support teachers in the schools.
Growing an urban farm, via sustainable practices, at ROGZ HQ that provides fresh vegetables for school soup kitchens so children can learn on a full tummy.
One of the many challenges that South Africa faces is education. ROGZ Academy helps to improve education through teacher support and mentorship as well as literacy and numeracy support for learners. ROGZ Academy trains YearBeyond volunteers to be more effective in helping learners who are struggling to learn. Our trained YearBeyond volunteers help learners who are struggling to learn Numeracy and English through the Catch-Up Programme. These small groups create teaching environments that give learners the attention and focus they need to succeed. Starting as grassroots level, we also assist Early Learning Development Centres so that little ones are better prepared to begin Grade 1.
60ROGZ Academy is an Implementing Partner of the YearBeyond (YeBo) programme which combats youth unemployment by aiming to ensure that by the age of 25, young people are responsible, independent, healthy and active citizens. The programme takes young people through a structured 10-month development journey focusing on work readiness, professional competencies, personal growth and progression to the world of work or study. YeBoneers are also provided with training and placed in the four schools we support in Dunoon and Joe Slovo. Our efforts impact 60 YeBoneers, 300 ECD children and 840 young learners.
The pavements outside the ROGZ factories in Cape Town have been transformed into an Urban Farm that grows proudly with fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit trees. These are harvested for all Roggerz at HQ, their families and community. Nutrition is a building block for improving physical and mental health in both children. ROGZ Urban Farm vegetables help supplement the school soup kitchens to feed the learners so that they can study with full stomachs. The Bristin Food Project which began in 2024 at ROGZ HQ, makes sandwiches and provides fresh fruit to learners in the AfterSchool sessions. Sustainability is also a big vision for ROGZ pet gear, and our ROGZ Urban Farm has been playing an important role.
Thank you also to the following key partners whose collaboration with ROGZ Academy has made implementation of our various projects sustainable over all the years:
Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. We use these funds to fulfil our community promises and we undergo a strict auditing process every year. You can make a difference by donating in one of three ways:
Step 1: Set up ROGZ Academy NPO as a Beneficiary
Account Name: ROGZ Academy NPO Bank: ABSA
Branch: Montague Gardens
Branch Code: 632005
Account Number: 4088949545
Step 2: Add the SWIFT code: ABSA ZA JJ
Step 3: Input the amount you would like to donate and PAY.
Step 1: Download the Snapscan App from Google and set up your Snapscan account by entering your credit card details.
Step 2: Scan the ROGZ Academy Snapscan QR code.
Step 3: Type the amount you would like to donate, and press PAY.
Step 1: You can add up to three beneficiaries on your existing MySchool card, so why not add ROGZ Academy NPO. You can also register a new card – click here to register in no time.
Step 2: Swipe this card whenever you shop at Woolworths, Engen, Builders Warehouse, Loot and Waltons Stationery.
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