A student from the North-West University (NWU) and his friend are the only two young men from the North West Province who are finalists in the Mr Junior South Africa Competition. Daniel Asiwe and his friend, Mandla Mbotho, share a passion for community service that they have learnt from their parents. Both are also finalists in the Face of South Africa Competition.
Daniel and Mandla matriculated at Ferdinand Postma and Boys High respectively. They are the only finalists from North West in this competition.
Daniel is currently a second-year student at the NWU's Potchefstroom Campus, studying towards his degree in BCom Industrial Psychology and Labour Relations. He is serving on the executive committee of the SRC's Council of Societies and is a project leader of the Student Rag Community Service's Pick-a-Leader Project at Resolofetse Primary School. He is also a member of Enactus (a programme that allows students to apply their entrepreneurial skills on community service projects).
Daniel grew up in Nigeria and moved to South Africa with his family in 2005. His father is a professor of entomology at the University of Limpopo and his mother is a postdoctoral fellow in industrial psychology on the Vanderbijlpark Campus.
Daniel is also an ace chess player who represented his province when he was still in school.
Mandla grew up in Wesselsbron and excelled in long-distance running, rugby and hockey.
Their talent was spotted by Gerard Pieters and they already have several titles under their belts.
As part of their participation in the competition, they are currently involved with two community projects. They help with fundraising for Desk Bags. Underprivileged children can carry their school books safely to and from school in these bags, while the flap becomes an instant, durable desk when unfolded. The other projects are Mimi Pads, which provides toiletries to teenage girls.
The final judging of the competition takes place from 4 to 9 April in Pretoria. People can vote for Daniel at http://ow.ly/C9hR309eKcm
Daniel Asiwe and his friend, Mandla Mbotho, doing community work in Ikageng.
