Alex children spent the last days of their second term school holidays enhancing their knowledge on Constitutional rights and also received advice on how to prepare for tertiary education.
This was at a three-day Clasi Constitutional Camp 2017 programme for grade 8 to 12 pupils at San Kopano Community Centre, conducted by law firm ENSAfrica and some first-year university students. Ngwako Raboshakga of the firm said knowledge on the Constitution would enhance the children’s understanding of democracy, accountability and encourage them to participate in advancing the Constitution in the public space.
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The children engaged in mock constitutional formulation processes, drafting clauses, engaged with the community on social challenges requiring legal and policy attention and visited Constitutional Hill. Also, they were advised on personal values of self-awareness, self-confidence, self-love and self-respect and, participated in debates on other socio-political topics.
The university students advised the children how to prepare for tertiary studies. One student, Lisa Sheleni is from a single parent home who did her matric through home study and is studying overseas. She told the children that everyone was destined for greatness if they developed and adhered to personal self-discipline.
She urged them to seek inspiration from their parents regardless of family circumstances, develop high self-esteem and spiritual conviction for their goals. “Don’t lose hope when faced with financial problems but apply widely for support as there are many funding sources, provided you achieve good results,” she said. She further advised them to consider gap year programmes to avoid being idle if they were not admitted to the university of their choice.
Another student Kgolofelo Mohale of Wits gave his advice and said, “Don’t follow the crowd. Be your self, choose your career path, approach it patiently with determination, work hard and be willing to do what it takes to achieve your goal. “Don’t be in a rush for money.”
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Nkupula Ralenata who is at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) urged them to develop self-discipline, have positive role models, introspect and seek advice when faced with challenges, develop good time management, and balance school work with social initiatives.
Ayanda Malinga also at UJ advised the children not to let Alex’s depressed social conditions discourage them but to do well in their exams so that they could attract sponsors for their tertiary studies. Jack Sekalo, studying at the University of the Free State advised them to surround themselves with positive friends and to develop a positive mindset about education despite any failures.
Details: ENSAfrica 011 555 0980
