Our programme is designed to foster leadership skills and support positive self-development through a range of dynamic activities, including interactive play, sports, life skills training, and inspirational stories of real-life heroes. Central to our approach is the integration of Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL), which equips participants with the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills necessary for lifelong success.
We aim to cultivate a deep understanding of positive masculinity, consent, accountability, responsibility, and courage in all participants. Beyond instilling core values, we employ a participatory and conversational teaching methodology that encourages critical thinking from an early age. Guided by the belief that lasting impact is achieved by empowering individuals to make thoughtful, informed decisions—for themselves, their families, and their communities—our educational ethos is grounded in nurturing not only capable learners but responsible, reflective citizens.
Our Grade 8 programme is designed to introduce participants to fundamental core values such as integrity, accountability, responsibility, honesty, optimism, and emotional intelligence. The purpose of the programme is to help participants understand these core values and appreciate their benefits in both personal and social contexts.
Over a 23-week period during the school year, participants are guided by Heroes Academy coaches who ensure a comprehensive understanding of each core value. The programme begins with defining each value, enabling participants to grasp their meanings fully. They are then encouraged to use these terms correctly to reinforce their understanding.
To bring these concepts to life, participants engage in role-playing activities during workshops, where they can observe and practice these values in real-life scenarios. Additionally, they are taught to identify individuals in their lives who embody these core values, helping them recognize and appreciate positive role models.
Through this structured approach, the programme aims to instill a deep understanding of core values in participants, highlighting the importance of these principles and how they contribute to personal growth and positive interactions with others.
Positive word:
HONESTY
Orientation:
To be a gentleman
in the home
Positive word:
RESPECT
Orientation:
Courtesy
Positive word:
COURAGE
Orientation:
How to intervene safely
Positive word:
NURTURING
Orientation:
Taking care of those around us
Positive word:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Orientation:
Consent
Positive word:
PROTECT
Orientation:
Gender Based Violence
Positive word:
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Orientation:
Time Management Skills
Positive word:
DIGNITY
Orientation:
Bullying
Positive word:
OPTIMISM
Orientation:
Hope
Positive word:
EMPOWERMENT
Orientation:
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses
Positive word:
WORK ETHICS
Orientation:
Mental Toughness
Positive word:
PRIDE
Orientation:
Self-care / self-esteem
Positive word:
VULNERABILITY
Orientation:
Providing and receiving trust and comfort
Positive word:
RESPONSIBILITY
Orientation:
Adaptive thinking
Positive word:
INTEGRITY
Orientation:
Compassion and Empathy
Positive word:
COMMUNICATION
Orientation:
Navigating social media and what you see online
Positive word:
CONSENT
Orientation:
Setting and respecting (emotional) boundaries
Positive word:
SELF-AWARENESS
Orientation:
Sex education and the menstrual cycle
Positive word:
TOLERANCE
Orientation:
Diversity
Positive word:
SELF-ESTEEM
Orientation:
Building your self-esteem
Positive word:
LEADERSHIP
Orientation:
How to be a leader in your community
Our Grade 9 program is designed to encourage participants to engage in deep self-reflection, building on the foundations laid in Grade 8. Over a 16-week period during the school year, participants are guided by their coaches to assess their application of prior learnings and to explore their visions and goals for the future. This program emphasises the importance of self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-kindness, fostering a deeper understanding and personal growth.
CRITICAL THINKING
Ulwaluko
Most of our participants are of Xhosa descent, and at Grade 10, they are at the age where Xhosa boys begin preparing for Ulwaluko—the IsiXhosa traditional rite of passage transitioning from boyhood to manhood. We provide a historical timeline of this traditional rite and guide them through essential knowledge they need before undergoing Ulwaluko. Additionally, we answer their most curious questions about Ulwaluko in an informative and truthful manner.
A Day in a Life
This module introduces participants to essential life skills, including basic financial literacy and the importance of financial management skills such as budgeting. This helps them develop the necessary abilities to manage their money and financial responsibilities in the future.
Critical Thinking
This module delves into critical thinking through hypothesis and debate-based activities to enhance their critical inquiry abilities. It incorporates research and analysis-based exercises to enrich their understanding and application of critical thinking.
Anger Management
In this module, we guide participants to understand the manifestation of anger and its mental and physical effects. We equip them with skills to apply in anger-triggering situations, encouraging them to avoid resorting to violence or verbal abuse. This helps them remain calm, use discernment, and respond with active awareness during moments of anger.
Participants also have the opportunity to engage in creative projects that contribute to the Supercharged Graduation performances and visual competitions.
The Heroes Academy Grade 11 Programme is one of our key components of our holistic developmental journey, designed to equip young men with the knowledge, character, and emotional maturity needed as they approach adulthood. This programme focuses on building leadership, responsibility, and critical life skills through a series of structured, practical modules rooted in Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Introduction to Public Speaking
This module helps learners develop self-confidence and effective communication skills. Through guided practice, participants improve their ability to speak clearly, structure ideas, and engage different audiences—critical tools for both personal and professional environments.
Fatherhood
Learners explore the emotional, financial and societal responsibilities of fatherhood. The module encourages reflection on the role of a father and the long-term impact of parental choices. Through open dialogue, young men begin to understand the importance of presence, care, and accountability in family life.
Understanding the South African Constitution and the Importance of Voting
Participants are introduced to the rights and responsibilities enshrined in the South African Constitution. This module highlights the significance of civic engagement and the power of voting in shaping a democratic and equitable society. Learners are empowered to see themselves as active citizens with a role to play in the nation’s future.
Consent and Comprehensive Sex Education (Recap)
This module reinforces the importance of consent, respect, and emotional readiness in relationships. It provides learners with accurate, age-appropriate information about sexual health, boundaries, and respectful behaviour. The focus is on empowering participants to make responsible decisions while promoting gender equality and personal integrity.
Vocational Trade Skills Excursion
To broaden career horizons, learners take part in excursions to our partners place of business, where they are introduced to practical trade. These visits expose them to alternative career paths and inspire them to pursue opportunities aligned with their skills and interests.
Anger Management
This module revisits the essential theme of emotional regulation. Learners are guided in understanding the root causes of anger, the consequences of unmanaged emotion, and the importance of impulse control. Practical tools and strategies for conflict resolution, self-awareness, and emotional accountability are introduced to support positive behaviour change and healthier interpersonal relationships.
Our Grade 12 learning materials are currently in the research and development stage.
Our Grade 8 programme is designed to introduce participants to fundamental core values such as integrity, accountability, responsibility, honesty, optimism, and emotional intelligence. The purpose of the programme is to help participants understand these core values and appreciate their benefits in both personal and social contexts.
Over a 23-week period during the school year, participants are guided by Heroes Academy coaches who ensure a comprehensive understanding of each core value. The programme begins with defining each value, enabling participants to grasp their meanings fully. They are then encouraged to use these terms correctly to reinforce their understanding.
To bring these concepts to life, participants engage in role-playing activities during workshops, where they can observe and practice these values in real-life scenarios. Additionally, they are taught to identify individuals in their lives who embody these core values, helping them recognize and appreciate positive role models.
Through this structured approach, the programme aims to instill a deep understanding of core values in participants, highlighting the importance of these principles and how they contribute to personal growth and positive interactions with others.
Positive word:
HONESTY
Orientation:
To be a gentleman
in the home
Positive word:
RESPECT
Orientation:
Courtesy
Positive word:
COURAGE
Orientation:
How to intervene safely
Positive word:
NURTURING
Orientation:
Taking care of those around us
Positive word:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Orientation:
Consent
Positive word:
PROTECT
Orientation:
Gender Based Violence
Positive word:
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Orientation:
Time Management Skills
Positive word:
DIGNITY
Orientation:
Bullying
Positive word:
OPTIMISM
Orientation:
Hope
Positive word:
EMPOWERMENT
Orientation:
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses
Positive word:
WORK ETHICS
Orientation:
Mental Toughness
Positive word:
PRIDE
Orientation:
Self-care / self-esteem
Positive word:
VULNERABILITY
Orientation:
Providing and receiving trust and comfort
Positive word:
RESPONSIBILITY
Orientation:
Adaptive thinking
Positive word:
INTEGRITY
Orientation:
Compassion and Empathy
Positive word:
COMMUNICATION
Orientation:
Navigating social media and what you see online
Positive word:
CONSENT
Orientation:
Setting and respecting (emotional) boundaries
Positive word:
SELF-AWARENESS
Orientation:
Sex education and the menstrual cycle
Positive word:
TOLERANCE
Orientation:
Diversity
Positive word:
SELF-ESTEEM
Orientation:
Building your self-esteem
Positive word:
LEADERSHIP
Orientation:
How to be a leader in your community
Our Grade 9 program is designed to encourage participants to engage in deep self-reflection, building on the foundations laid in Grade 8. Over a 16-week period during the school year, participants are guided by their coaches to assess their application of prior learnings and to explore their visions and goals for the future. This program emphasises the importance of self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-kindness, fostering a deeper understanding and personal growth.
CRITICAL THINKING
Ulwaluko
Most of our participants are of Xhosa descent, and at Grade 10, they are at the age where Xhosa boys begin preparing for Ulwaluko—the IsiXhosa traditional rite of passage transitioning from boyhood to manhood. We provide a historical timeline of this traditional rite and guide them through essential knowledge they need before undergoing Ulwaluko. Additionally, we answer their most curious questions about Ulwaluko in an informative and truthful manner.
A Day in a Life
This module introduces participants to essential life skills, including basic financial literacy and the importance of financial management skills such as budgeting. This helps them develop the necessary abilities to manage their money and financial responsibilities in the future.
Critical Thinking
This module delves into critical thinking through hypothesis and debate-based activities to enhance their critical inquiry abilities. It incorporates research and analysis-based exercises to enrich their understanding and application of critical thinking.
Anger Management
In this module, we guide participants to understand the manifestation of anger and its mental and physical effects. We equip them with skills to apply in anger-triggering situations, encouraging them to avoid resorting to violence or verbal abuse. This helps them remain calm, use discernment, and respond with active awareness during moments of anger.
Participants also have the opportunity to engage in creative projects that contribute to the Supercharged Graduation performances and visual competitions.
The Heroes Academy Grade 11 Programme is one of our key components of our holistic developmental journey, designed to equip young men with the knowledge, character, and emotional maturity needed as they approach adulthood. This programme focuses on building leadership, responsibility, and critical life skills through a series of structured, practical modules rooted in Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Introduction to Public Speaking
This module helps learners develop self-confidence and effective communication skills. Through guided practice, participants improve their ability to speak clearly, structure ideas, and engage different audiences—critical tools for both personal and professional environments.
Fatherhood
Learners explore the emotional, financial and societal responsibilities of fatherhood. The module encourages reflection on the role of a father and the long-term impact of parental choices. Through open dialogue, young men begin to understand the importance of presence, care, and accountability in family life.
Understanding the South African Constitution and the Importance of Voting
Participants are introduced to the rights and responsibilities enshrined in the South African Constitution. This module highlights the significance of civic engagement and the power of voting in shaping a democratic and equitable society. Learners are empowered to see themselves as active citizens with a role to play in the nation’s future.
Consent and Comprehensive Sex Education (Recap)
This module reinforces the importance of consent, respect, and emotional readiness in relationships. It provides learners with accurate, age-appropriate information about sexual health, boundaries, and respectful behaviour. The focus is on empowering participants to make responsible decisions while promoting gender equality and personal integrity.
Vocational Trade Skills Excursion
To broaden career horizons, learners take part in excursions to our partners place of business, where they are introduced to practical trade. These visits expose them to alternative career paths and inspire them to pursue opportunities aligned with their skills and interests.
Anger Management
This module revisits the essential theme of emotional regulation. Learners are guided in understanding the root causes of anger, the consequences of unmanaged emotion, and the importance of impulse control. Practical tools and strategies for conflict resolution, self-awareness, and emotional accountability are introduced to support positive behaviour change and healthier interpersonal relationships.
Our Grade 12 learning materials are currently in the research and development stage.
Heroes Academy of South Africa is a Non-Profit organisation with Section 18(A) Public Benefit Organisation.
NPC: K2021/485302/08
2 Avenue Deauville, Fresnaye, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 433 1151
Cell: +27 (0) 82 041 1999
Email: hello@heroesacademy.org.za
Copyright © 2023 Heroes Academy of South Africa. Photographs by © Graham Wylie Photography. Movie by Siverbullet.
