Tsakane youngster gets help from celebrity mentor
Tsakane – A South African super maize meal brand is celebrating its 60 years in a TV show set to kick off this November.
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In this series of short clips the brand will celebrate community self-starters in South African townships and the great work they do in their communities.
The show will celebrate legendary individuals who have pioneered life-changing projects in the township.
Read: Mentorship programme for young boys
It has identified exceptional, ground-breaking community projects deserving of recognition and support, and these will be celebrated on the brand-new show.
The host of the show has followed the journey of six extraordinary individuals who have successfully launched empowerment projects in townships with minimal assistance.
These social entrepreneurs, referred to as “Legends”, are being presented with an opportunity to be mentored by a celebrity mentor, Kabelo Mabalane.
One of the lucky few who is benefiting from this opportunity is Tsakane’s own entrepreneur, Sicelo Mbonani (25).
Read: WATCH: ‘Be the mentor you wish you’d had’
He along with the other individuals will receive valuable skills, knowledge and resources.
The show believes they are individuals who have beaten all odds to help their communities and are successfully helping those in need while keeping a positive attitude.
Mbonani says: “I am a social entrepreneur which means I do good business while also uplifting the community.
“I help township entrepreneurs network and develop their business while on the other hand, I run a campaign that helps orphans of KwaThema, Tsakane and Katlehong.
“My ambition and drive is to help the black child to see it is possible to achieve while being an honest and positive role model for them.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity as it will not just benefit me, but my community as a whole,” he says.
Mabalane explains that he chose to be part of the Legends initiative because he is an avid advocate for active citizenship.
“I am of the firm conviction that to move our country forward, the citizens need to play their part as well.
“And the words of former US President John Kennedy capture this sentiment perfectly as he said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.'”
The senior brand manager for the super maize meal brand, Peane Maponyane, adds that this initiative is about reminding South Africans that legends are not only found on the soccer field or large stages, but are also in eKasi, in local homes and within the community.
“The maize meal is often found and used in strong communities.
“It therefore gives us great joy to have the ability to identify these communities along with their Legends, in order to accelerate while celebrating what already has been achieved,” Maponyane says.
The show will be aired from November 10.