Meet Chidalu Udeh, a 13-year-old poet and enterprising girl of Hope Fountain Combined School.
Chidalu has many talents including organising no less that 20 children’s mini-Olympics events at her place of residence, and managed to raise no less than R3 500 for medals and food for the day.
Her other achievement includes taking part in a Skirmish competition which is a book-based inter-school competition open to learners in grades 4 and 5 in schools in the greater Johannesburg area.
Teacher Siphephile Ngwenya said, “We’re so proud of Chidalu. She was part of a group of learners from our school who took first place in round one and round two of the competition.”
Ngwenya added, “We progressed to the regional level and took second place.”
Chidalu has also been invited to deliver a poem at the fourth annual True Shine Awards to be hosted on November 6 in Pretoria, to honour girls and women making a difference in their communities.
Nonhlanhla Mdhluli, founder of Every Girl has a Dream said, “She is a brilliant young girl who shows such great leadership skills. She’s confident and passionate about whatever she sets her mind to.”
Chidalu describes herself as a very sporty person.
“I play centre position for Midrand Royal Netball Club U13s team and always participate in the school athletics season,” Chidalu explained.
Her mother, Antonia Dumbu-Udeh, said she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter with her creativity and ability to think on her feet. “She has been so focused and determined from a young age, we are so proud of her,” she concluded.