Kibler Park Secondary learner elected as president of 2023 RCL in District 11

Aobakwe Modillane (18) from Kibler Park Secondary School has been elected president of the 2023 Representative Council of Learners (RCL) in Johannesburg South District 11.

The election process began at the school level with the election of the school’s representative council and progressed to the election of the district structure.

The RCL provides the student body with an opportunity to participate in activities that directly or indirectly affect the learners in the functioning of the school, as well as to instil in them a sense of responsibility and encourage school loyalty and respect for authority to prepare them for their adult lives.

According to Aobakwe, every school has an RCL executive body. It starts with being chosen as a class representative, after which learners get to serve on the RCL body.

“The executive committee consists of six positions, the RCL president, deputy president, secretary, deputy secretary, treasurer and public relations officer.

“Each class from Grade Eight to Grade 11 has two RCL representatives, and the representatives in those grades get to choose the executive positions among the Grade 12 learners. I was one of the chosen RCL executive committee members and was also elected president.

“The district level followed the same procedure where the executive members from schools in the south could elect the district structure. They chose me as the district president of D11. The same procedure happened at the provincial level. Unfortunately, I did not make it to any executive level in the province. I am part of the provincial committee cabinet members.

“After the committee was chosen we went for a summit whereby the MEC of Education handed out the badges, and we met with a different organisation who taught us more about being a leader and what leadership means.”

Aobakwe said she learned a lot about being a leader and hopes to apply what she has learned to the D11 schools.

“I have noticed we have many issues with substance abuse. I presented the idea of holding an event before prelims, inviting organisations that deal with substance abuse. Then we should implement what we learnt in the schools. I feel Grade 12s most likely will abuse substances because of the pressure we will experience next year.

“I presented the idea with my district RCL coordinator and the executive body. I would like to see many educational and informational events take place in schools under D11, but this is the one I hope to take place,” she said.

Aobakwe continued to say teamwork makes a dream a reality.

“Being a leader entails taking a different path so others can follow in your footsteps. Essentially, it is about leaving a mark, what I hope to do in the position. I want to take good care of it, respect it, and do what I need to do,” said Aobakwe.

Lorato Molapo, school coordinator and teacher at Kibler Park Secondary School, said this is their greatest achievement as a school.

“This is the first time this has happened in our school, and we are truly proud of Aobakwe,” said Molapo.