Twenty girls from Alex High School attended a trial of a special kind when they occupied one of the courts for a life-changing session with court and others professionals.
This occurred at the Alex Magistrates’ Court on the celebration of the 16th edition of cellphone giant Cell C’s popular Take a girl child to work day marked annually on 24 May.
Read: Take A Girl Child to Work campaign a success
Thousands of girls have benefited from this charity initiative countrywide through an introduction to the workplace, exposure and attachments through internships and empowerment through confidence-enhancing and self-awareness sessions by hundreds of corporates said to have adopted the initiative.
Various court officials introduced them to the processes of criminal adjudication, exposed them to various professions in the legal sector, hopefully leaving an impression on Alex lawyers in the making.
Read: Schoolgirls give us a chance to see our roles through their innocent eyes
Other professionals contributed with value-adding advice to strengthen their defence against the daily challenges as they grow to be responsible citizens.
A magistrate in the children’s court, Itumeleng Nhlatlapa took them on a journey of enlightenment which, if internalised, will change their lives forever. “Have a forgiving heart, pretty mind and soul,” she said emphasising the three as the axis for success and contentment in whatever goal they choose to pursue. This, she said, should be coupled with a dream and their application of talent – a gift each one of them has to enable them achieve their goals and aspirations.
“There is only one you, the individual who shouldn’t seek to imitate others but be your own confident woman able to apply your talents wholeheartedly if you want to be a high achiever,” she said.
Nhlatlapa urged them to aspire to be ambassadors for good and role models to others, to stop living other people’s lives and wait to be told what to do and how to act, but learn to be Godly and forgive those who wronged or sought to mislead them.
Buoyed by the advice, the girls who face many social ills, partly due to patriarchy and poverty pledged to:
- Stay positive and avoid depressive and suicidal effects from anger and frustration
- Speak out and say no to blessers and boyfriends
- Report bullies to someone you trust
- Have a goal, self-confidence and ability to control one’s temper
- Rely on a beautiful heart and soul to set and reach one’s dream
- Accept diversity
- Abide by uBuntu principles and respect the elderly
- Be unique and respectful, even to street kids
- Explore opportunities and not be misled
- Learn to love oneself honestly and others who deserve it
- Respect one’s body, remain positive and not seek affirmation from others
- Know you are beautiful and not wait to be told by others
- Learn to grow in character while still alive.
Details: Jennifer Sibisi 071 883 9987.
