BUSHBUCKGRIDGE – Miss South Africa 2016, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, encouraged school children to make the right choices during a Caring4Girls Career Guidance Exhibition on Friday.
Kunene visited two schools with Miss Mpumalanga 2016, Elaine Mkhabela, MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule, Mr Richard Mabaso from Imbumba Foundation and representatives from South African Airways. First to benefit by their visit was Soshangane High School where about 2 500 pupils were given sanitary towels and taken through a career exhibition.
“The most important lesson I have learned is that everything in life is about choices. What stops you is a matter of choice, whether you want to make your dream a reality or not.
“Many have discouraged me in my dreams, but I chose not to listen to them. What you choose to tell yourself at the end of the day is what makes you. I would like all of you to be careful of the choices you make because they determine your future,” said Kunene.
The entourage proceeded to Mpisana Primary School where children from Soshangane, Kufakwezwa, Masana and Mzwangedwa high schools were treated to the exhibition.
“On top of being Miss South Africa, I am also a qualified teacher. However, as a young girl, I was fortunate enough to have been exposed to many opportunities that allowed me to make the choices that have led me to be where I am today. I have seen people getting into careers that they do not like because they believed there was only one option open to them.
“I want to encourage all young people to focus on their education, explore their career path and to open their minds to every opportunity,” added Kunene.
Mhaule said it was important that career guidance be introduced at an early stage to help schoolchildren choose the right subjects. She encouraged them to work hard in their exams.
“The department is behind you all. Your success always gives us the confidence to walk tall and proud as this ensures that we are able to take the province to greater heights,” said Mhaule.
