It might be cliché to say, “it takes a village to raise a child,” but in reality it is true. North-West University (NWU) honours student in marketing management, Tshepang Mosokwene, knows this very well. 

Tshepang grew up in dire poverty, living in a shack in Evaton, but even after contracting meningitis she did not let her circumstances limit her vision of changing her own life and the lives of those around her.

The former Student Representative Council (SRC) member has mobilised a group of friends to   volunteer their time to share their knowledge, experiences, skills, and leadership abilities to motivate Grade 12 learners from her neighbourhood.

The idea came to Tshepang after seeing so many learners who were eligible and prepared to attend university, not being able to do so because they do not have someone to mentor and advise them. 

“To make a difference is something that is close to my heart. We visit high school learners to guide and inspire them, and to tell them about the opportunities available out there. But more than that, we want to inspire them to have a positive attitude and to believe in themselves,” she says.

Tshepang, who started her mission in 2020, has partnered with different stakeholders including churches, schools and her municipality to pursue her endeavours. She says her biggest motivation to start the initiative was seeing young gifted people being caught up in alcohol and drug abuse.

“I grew up with kids that were extremely talented and brilliant, but because there were no systems in place to help them, their talents ended up being wasted,” she says.

She adds that based on her own experience as a former learner from a disadvantaged school, mentoring is the answer in developing a student’s passion and purpose. Tshepang, who is also a church leader at Rock of Victory Worship Centre, says this form of mentorship also teaches young people how to approach the challenges of this world.

 Her initiative is bearing fruit as many students who never thought of studying beyond matric are now motivated to study further.

“We have become friends and confidants who provide academic guidance and support. We help students to brainstorm career possibilities, define career goals and establish action plans to reach professional goals. We also support learners to achieve their goals of attending an institution of higher education by assisting them with their applications,” she says.

Tshepang encourages university students to get involved and look for mentoring opportunities at their former high schools.

 “Many of the world’s most successful business people and leaders credit their mentors as key contributors to their success. I also benefitted in this way, as I had people who held my hand from primary school to varsity,” she adds.

 “By becoming a mentor, you are doing your part to ensure that tomorrow’s leaders have the support they need to succeed.”

Tshepang Mosokwene