Some of the youth struggle with mental health issues, and this new series is an attempt to address that in an impactful and educational way.
South African cricketer, Kagiso Rabada, renowned education resource centre, Bellavista SHARE, and local film makers, Kingdom Kome, have joined forces to create The Elements – an inspiring and practical educational offering aimed at tackling mental health challenges impacting today’s youth.
Season one is focused on developing grit and features Rabada as the host – drawing on his personal life experiences and making the content highly relatable to the target audience. The season includes an eight-part video series together with teaching materials to assist educators unpack the material in detail with their students in an impactful way.
The Elements is aligned with the national curriculum for Life Orientation, and includes material built by professional educators at Bellavista SHARE.
Cameron Scott, lead producer at Kingdom Kome says: “The post-covid mental health pandemic is often highlighted in the media, and one of the issues we’re facing as a result, is the negative impact it’s having on our youth. We wanted to do something that would make a difference, which is how the concept was born.”
“We’re behind on 4IR and it’s time we caught up,” Rabada says of the project. “By doing the leg work online, we’re allowing educators to focus more on building supportive interpersonal connections with their students. This material helps create a safe space for that to happen and allows for the impact we need.”
The inspiration for grit as a theme came from the belief that resilience, determination, and perseverance are essential qualities for success in life. These traits are particularly important for young people as they face increasing challenges in today’s world.
By sharing experiences and lessons from relatable South African personalities, the team aims to show young people that anything is possible with the right mindset and determination. The content for the grit series includes lessons on the importance of goal-setting, staying determined, overcoming challenges and never giving up on your dreams.
The Elements was officially launched at the start of May 2023, and is already being implemented in several schools across South Africa. Season two is currently in development, with a focus on ‘identity’ as the theme.
For more information, visit the Bellavista SHARE website at https://bellavista.org.za/courses/grit-the-elements/ or https://tinyurl.com/bellavistashare or follow the journey on social media: https://tinyurl.com/elements-linktree