James' Story
Founder & CEO of Education Africa,
Motivational Speaker, Humanitarian and Social Entrepreneur
James Urdang is a Motivational Speaker, Humanitarian, Social Entrepreneur and International Award Winner. As CEO & Founder of Education Africa, he has dedicated more than 3 decades of his life to a cause that is very close to his heart – helping to bring about real, positive and meaningful change to the lives of disadvantaged Africans.
James’ journey began in 1989 when he set out to establish Education Africa and, over the years, he has conceptualised many projects, managed to run multiple macro projects simultaneously and secured the funding not only for their establishment, but also for their on-going sustainability. He has become known as someone who thinks outside the box; someone who is not interested in re-inventing the wheel. Rather, he believes in bringing project partners on board so that their expertise can be harnessed for the ultimate benefit of the community. His tireless energy and ability to make things happen have resulted in a number of dynamic projects which have, without a doubt, made a huge impact on the communities throughout South Africa in which they are implemented. Just in the past ten years alone the reach of Education Africa’s projects has impacted tens-of-thousands of learners directly and well over a million learners indirectly through educator training and support.
More recently, with the outbreak of the global COVID-pandemic and the resulting chaos that it unleashed throughout the world, James has shown innovation and true leadership by introducing ICT-driven teaching and training methodologies that are specifically developed for Education Africa’s needs to ensure not only the ongoing sustainability of Education Africa, but also to advance the organisation’s position as an one that is innovative, ready to tackle the future and capable of increasing the scale of its social impact.
However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for James or for Education Africa.
During James’ early years at school he was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, and was consequently required to attend a special needs school. He eventually did enter mainstream schooling, so he has first-hand, personal experience of what it means and takes to overcome educational challenges. On reflection, this has been to his benefit as he knows that education does not come easily and it has enabled him to develop unique, world class training methods and educational materials.
After school James worked in the family business, and in the late 1980’s, when South Africa was going through its turbulent times of change, James saw the desperate need to bring communities together through social cohesion. In the early days of Education Africa, James met Walter Sisulu and they instantly formed a connection.
Their common desire to provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities resulted in Walter Sisulu mentoring James from 1991 until his passing.
James was honoured to have been asked to speak at the funeral of the late Chris Hani at a time when South Africa was very much on edge as the country laid the foundations for the birth of democracy. In late September 1993 he was also entrusted by the ANC with the task of developing a historic video calling for the lifting of sanctions save for oil and arms. This video was pre-recorded by Nelson Mandela and James – as custodian of the video – earned the trust of many high-ranking ANC officials as he ensured it safe-keeping until after Nelson Mandela’s historic address at the United Nations.
It was at around this time that Education Africa received an award by the Hostel Peace Initiative which recognised persons and groups who, against all odds, committed themselves to peace and bringing about a new South Africa.
When Nelson Mandela (who was also mentored by Walter Sisulu) became South Africa’s first democratically elected President, James was the first person in the non-profit sector to lead President Nelson Mandela and had the honour of presenting him the Golden Doves of Peace Award at an event with the National Peace Secretariat.
President Mandela attended a number of Education Africa events during his term of office, and personally struck the first 5oz proof gold medallion to commemorate his inauguration. It was President Mandela’s wish that proceeds from the sale of these medallions would go to Education Africa, thus providing the organisation with some much-needed funding.
The biggest challenge for James has always been the sustainability of Education Africa and his dream is to create an endowment fund so that Education Africa can be self-sustainable for generations to come. This will also enable James and the organisation to grow their Africa footprint – a plan which was conceptualised following a strategic planning session facilitated by Deloitte. The aim is to educate, equip and empower more and more African communities beyond South Africa’s borders through a Social Franchising initiative of some of Education Africa’s key projects.
James is committed to a life time of Making real change Happen through providing educational opportunities to enable Poverty alleviation through Education. He has had the opportunity of interacting and working with many celebrities, government and community leaders, and top business people. Those who work with James are extremely motivated by his will to succeed and his willingness to make personal sacrifices to do just that, for the betterment of others.