Edu-bike Africa is launched with funding from the Japanese Government. James and Education Africa facilitated the production of cross-curricular education workbooks that brought fun learning support to the classroom. Over the years, more than 167 000 learners received their own workbooks and approximately 1 000 educators received teaching aids.

When James heard about discarded bicycles in the City of Osaka in Japan he approached the Osaka Prefecture and arranged for the shipping of these bicycles to South Africa. The Cycle Aid for Africa project distributed over 11 000 bicycles to disadvantaged school children over the years, significantly cutting back on time spent getting to school and back and allowing the learners to focus on their school work instead. Over the years, this project evolved and focused on sourcing funding for more durable mountain bikes with solid tyres.

Together with UNISA (University of South Africa), James and Education Africa developed two certificate programmes after Walter Sisulu said that disadvantaged learners needed access to tertiary education.

James saw the need to start a discussion about education in the country and put together an Editorial team that went on to publish 6 Editions of Education Africa Forum - an annual publication that gave expert input from key role-players in education.

James and Education Africa were asked by Minister of Education Prof Sibusiso Bengu to assist with the co-ordination of a high school Model UN Debating competition which formed part of the UN’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. 12 learners were chosen to accompany President Nelson Mandela to New York, and in 1997 Education Africa developed the concept of this competition further to launch the SAMUN (South African Model UN) project – a unique concept that drives social cohesion by twinning a disadvantaged school with an advantaged school to form a combined team, thus ensuring equal access and sharing of resources, team-work and co-operation. Run in partnership with UNIC – Pretoria, it is the only truly national Model UN in the world. Over 500 schools participate annually.

The Education Africa Presidential and Premier Education Awards were launched. This innovative initiative brought government and civil society together to put education at the forefront and enjoyed the support of the Office of the President, Raymond Mhlaba and Terror Lekota, the Minister of Education and the 9 Provincial Premiers.

Masibambane College became the first quality educational institution in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg. It was built with funding sourced by James and Education Africa, initially as a primary school which would over the years be expanded to incorporate a high school as well. James brought St Johns’ College on board as a partner in this initiative to provide teacher training, management and administrative assistance to the school to ensure its sustainability.

The Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Presidential Medallions are struck by the South African Mint and supported by Nelson Mandela (1995) and Walter Sisulu (1997). Proceeds from the sale of the medallions went to Education Africa.

“No Easy Walk to Freedom”. James was able to bring together different political parties to support the lifting of sanctions. The ANC with support from Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Thabo Mbeki amongst others; the DP (Democratic Party) with Helen Suzman and Dr Zach De Beer; the PAC (Pan African Congress) with Benny Alexandra; and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) with Mangosuthu Buthelezi. James earned the trust of all these key players which would over the years be beneficial to Education Africa under James’ leadership.