Keith Henderson has always been fascinated by people. About what makes them tick- why they do the things they do, and think the thoughts they think. After beginning his career as a schoolteacher, his insatiable appetite to explore and discover unconquered horizons led him down a diverse range of career paths. His natural ability to captivate an audience brought him into the world of professional speaking. But although Keith became a renowned motivational speaker, and part of a select portfolio of Professional Speakers and Trainers, he grew more and more disillusioned. It was easy to get people excited and motivated, but he wasn’t convinced of any lasting benefit. He knew there had to be more to motivation than a slick message that touched people’s emotions but didn’t change their lives.

In June 1998, Keith discovered what was to change his life. A simple, yet profound truth struck home. It was all about our God-given gifts, which so often get stifled by cultures, backgrounds and preconceptions. Keith looked around him and uncovered something that our fast-paced society seemed to have forgotten. That 99% of people become pigeonholed into accepting mediocre results for themselves. All because they do not know who they really are, what they are really good at and why they are unique. It is from this simple, powerful and liberating philosophy that The Gifting Institute was born.

Meanwhile, in another part of the country, a young man with an altogether different background was discovering a similar truth for himself. Jabu Magagula's first job was also as a schoolteacher. But after teaching for just two years, his desire to get into the business world led him to do a Business Management Diploma. After qualifying, he joined South Africa's leading FMGC distributor and was appointed as a branch manager controlling an operation turning over millions of Rands. Later on, Jabu was promoted to Training and Development Manager in charge of 35 stores in South Africa and Swaziland. Even with such apparent success surrounding him, Jabu felt a yearning to return to his first love: to teach and impart knowledge to others, to change people’s lives.

It was at this time, that Jabu’s path crossed with Keith’s. After being strongly impacted by the Gifting Institute (presented to his company’s executives), Jabu and Keith (together with their wives, Phumi and Joy), began a special friendship. Each taught the other, and was taught by the other, until both decided to join forces and form a partnership: The Gifting Institute Centre.

Since its launch into the marketplace, The Gifting Institute has helped individuals, companies and teams to achieve phenomenal results – from the sports field, to the classroom, to the retail market, to the halls of government.

If you would like to find out more about why we do what we do, click here to view our Intellectual Underpinnings