Ontireste Motingwa
You should never let your background hold you back. Focus on your education and believe that you can make something of yourself.
This was the message MEC of Finance Motlalepula Rosho conveyed to high-school learners during a community outreach programme co-hosted by the Student Campus Council (SCC) of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.
Motlalepula says the aim of the event at the Setilo Secondary School in the Mareetsane Village was to motivate learners to continue with their studies and to make use of the opportunities that come their way.
The office of the MEC invited the SCC to co-host this programme to introduce the learners to other young people who are following their dreams.
Three former learners from Setilo also joined the event to talk about their own career journeys.
The day kicked off with a motivational talk from the MEC, the local ward councillor and a representative from the NWU. Thereafter various donations were handed out to the learners, and food parcels were delivered at homes around the village.
These donations included food parcels and hygiene products from the office of the MEC and Pick n Pay, and clothes donated by the NWU SCC.
“As SCC we are honoured to have taken part. This gave us a chance to fulfil one of the core values of the university, to demonstrate an ethic of care," said SCC community and stakeholder engagement officer Lesego Njomo.
"Being a part of this programme made me realise that the mere fact that I was able to study at the NWU gives hope to learners who also wish to better their lives. This motivates me to keep fighting and winning, because I am not only doing it for myself, but also for those learners who wish to realise their dreams," said the SCC societies liaison officer, Thandeka Senyane.
Lesego concluded by saying, "The whole experience taught me to appreciate what I have. It also taught me that if I have the means to help the next person, I should never hesitate. My colleagues and I were truly humbled, and we look forward to bringing more change."
NWU SCC members Thandeka Senyane and Lesego Njomo distribute parcels to learners of Setilo Secondary School.
