North-West University (NWU) alumnus Tebogo Edwin Lesoro has been selected as one of the winners of the Education Changemakers programme.

This programme, now running for its second year, was initiated by the Trevor Noah Foundation, in partnership with the Young African Leaders Initiative Regional Leadership Centre Southern Africa (YALI RCLSA) and the University of South Africa.

Tebogo came in sixth in the top 10 best presentations from participants in the Southern African Developing Countries (SADC) region.

Education Changemakers aims to capacitate young leaders in the education sector with leadership skills, tools, a network of support, and resources so they can transform their schools and communities.

The programme consists of four weeks of in-person leadership training followed by coaching and mentoring, small grants to support school-based initiatives, and connection to an alumni network of like-minded young leaders across the African continent.

After the four-week leadership training, each participant had the opportunity to pitch their project to improve educational outcomes in their schools and communities to a panel of expert judges. Thereafter the top 10 best presentations were chosen from a pool of 50 participants from 14 SADC regions, each eligible for a modest grant.

The objective of Tebogo’s project was to breach the gap between young people who can't afford access to institutions of higher learning and to provide a proper foundation for young people who want to venture into entrepreneurship.

“It means a lot to me that my idea has been selected as one of the top solutions aimed at improving education outcomes through entrepreneurship. It was a real privilege to pitch my project along with some of the best participants in the SADC region,” says Tebogo, an educator at Golf View Secondary School and an NWU BComHons graduate.

“The grant will go a long way in enabling me to realise my vision of improving the lives of young people across Africa. I am truly grateful to the Trevor Noah Foundation and the YALI RCLSA for the opportunity to learn and to share my knowledge.”

About Trevor Noah Foundation

The Trevor Noah Foundation is a non-profit organisation that equips underserved youth with the necessary educational foundation and opportunities to become resilient future leaders of South Africa.

NWU alumnus Tebogo Edwin Lesoro has been selected as one of the winners of the Education Changemakers programme.