The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has unanimously adopted a motion to congratulate Johan and Astrid Vos, founders of the Victory4All Foundation, for their exceptional commitment to uplifting disadvantaged communities across the Kouga region and Eastern Cape Province.
The honour was bestowed upon the Jeffreys Bay residents when Member of Parliament Henni Britz, also a Jeffreys Bay resident, tabled a motion of congratulations in the NCOP on behalf of the Democratic Alliance.
The motion received unanimous support in terms of section 65 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Parliament recognised that since establishing Victory4All in May 2003 after relocating from the Netherlands, the Vos family has created a remarkable network of educational and care facilities.
These include Noah’s Ark pre-primary school, King’s College, a primary and high school, the Rainbow Centre (the only private school for disabled children in the Eastern Cape), the Rainbow Skills Centre, Rainbow Angels Care Centre, and eight foster homes in Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay townships.
Johan said that they received the honour from Parliament with gratitude and thankful hearts.
“We first didn’t even realise it was such a significant achievement. Mr Britz told us it’s the first time in history that a foundation like ours has received this recognition. The honour is addressed to us, but everybody will understand it’s for our entire team of over 100 staff members,” said Johan.
The economic impact of Victory4All is substantial, with approximately R175 million invested in the Kouga region since 2003.
The foundation currently spends up to R2 million monthly on infrastructure maintenance and staff salaries without any government assistance.
Additionally, they are building a new high school in Jeffreys Bay valued at R55 million, set for completion in 2026.
Regarding Victory4All’s fundraising approach, Johan said that through prayer and trusting that they will receive help and guidance from their Heavenly Father, they have not found it difficult to raise the necessary funds.
“In 2003, we started with a few family members and friends. Our list of donors grew over the years. We have visited many businesses in South Africa and overseas, organised fundraising events, and kept our donors updated regarding everything we do,” said Johan.
The foundation’s social impact is equally impressive, feeding between 300 and 350 children two times a day and employing 105 staff members from the local community, including teachers, assistants, cleaners, carers, chefs, and administrators.
Britz presented the official letter of congratulations to Johan at King’s College in Jeffreys Bay recently.
“I honour Johan and Astrid Vos for their caring hearts and congratulate them for the exceptional example and high standard they set, not only in the Kouga area but also in the Eastern Cape Province. While the national and provincial economies are strained, and unemployment is at an all-time high in the province, the Victory4All Foundation is a beacon of hope,” said Britz.
Looking to the future, Johan said that they believe in small schools with small classes of 20 to 25 learners, and as a result, the new high school building will only accommodate approximately 250 learners.
He said that they plan to start a technical school next to the new high school at a later stage.
When asked which project has had the most profound impact, Johan said that he cannot say as every school, home, or project has a massive impact in the community.
However, they have found that the foster homes are the most challenging.
“Finding the right foster mothers and parents to look after traumatised children is a difficult task for our social workers,” said Johan.
For others wishing to make a similar impact, he said that it is a calling and mandate from God.
“We believe nobody can have such an impact without His help and guidance. Besides that, you must understand it’s never a one-man show. Make sure you surround yourself with wise people with integrity. Ask advice from others who are a bit further down the road,” said Johan.
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