WESTDENE – Orban Primary School celebrates its two learners for being part of the Johannesburg Mini Council.
Out of the 40 Johannesburg-based primary schools to be represented in the Johannesburg Mini Council, Orban Primary School are blessed to have two of their learners in the mix. Grade 7 learners Courteney King and Kianga van Oerle have been chosen by their school as their official Johannesburg Mini Council Councillors. Their teacher Ronewa Mphephu is one of many ecstatic people at the school of their appointments.
She said, “It was very hard to select two of our learners because we had so many capable candidates but we are very proud of our choice. These two learners are humble, humane and not arrogant. They already represent the school well in academics and sport and will now represent what we stand for at the council.”
The two learners have already met and mingled with other councillors and had fond things to say about them. Kianga shared how they met and worked with learners of different backgrounds while Courteney spoke of the challenges associated with their role.
Kianga said, “At our first few meetings we were split into groups with people we didn’t know. They came from different schools and different parts of Johannesburg.”
This is something familiar to her as Orban itself is a school filled with people of diverse backgrounds. This has equipped her to relate and work with her fellow councillors at the council. She also stated that her ultimate goal in her time with the council is to become involved with local initiatives where they help less fortunate people.
Courteney said, “I want to help people and make a small difference in their lives, animals as well.”
This is what she expects to achieve as a councillor but understands that it is easier said than done. She and Kianga are aware that the role requires them to be disciplined, focused and active – a task that they are both looking forward to achieving.
Principal of the school Liz van Tonder said their learners being part of the council will benefit the whole school. “We have two learners on the ground learning from the council and teaching their classmates about what they have learnt,” she said.
She went on to say that these learners have already come back and shared lessons on human trafficking and will continue to do so. She added that they will also assist the councillors with their community projects such as fundraising for charities and awareness campaigns.
Van Tonder believes that the leadership skills they already have will be improved along with their time management, social awareness and community engagement.
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