Elgin Learning Foundation, Elgin

Creating social capital through integrated rural development

The Elgin Learning Foundation (ELF) is situated in the picturesque Elgin Valley, in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape, South Africa. The organization, founded in 1995, is a legacy of the kind-hearted vision of a childless farming couple, Gerald and Hazel Wright who left their entire estate to be dedicated to improving the lives of farm workers in the fruit farming industry. ELF has now blossomed into a social enterprise and an accredited College that employs in excess of 100 people at any one time.

Although well-known and respected as a rural development enterprise, the Elgin Learning Foundation, (incorporating Elgin Community College), is known nationally and has worked in most provinces in South Africa.

The organization prides itself in the knowledge that it takes development and training to the people, working in communities in urban environments and in remote villages … from the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape to the deep rural villages of Namaqualand in the Northern Cape.

Our Vision

Sustainable development through value-driven learning

Our Mission

The mission of ELF is to create social capital through innovative, integrated rural development. We do this by providing relevant accredited training and development support which is premised on community participation as well as investing in human capital development. This approach is underpinned by sound ecological principles and institutional values.

Status Statement

The Elgin Learning Foundation (ELF) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization formed in 1995 to meet the needs of disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Although we are located in a rural setting and focus mainly on development in rural areas, we work anywhere and everywhere in the field of development, education and capacity building.