When opportunity knocked on the door of a matriculant from SS Paki Secondary School in Vredefort, Neo Ntholeng, grabbed the learning experience with both hands. For him, it started with the challenges the hard lockdown months brought to both teachers and learners. They all had to overcome many difficulties not being able to attend classes made it difficult for some of his classmates to keep up with subjects like maths, even though their teachers did their best to keep them up to date via WhatsApp.
Neo not only saw the need for tutoring classes for grade 8–12 learners in maths and science, but also the need for skills development. This was the humble start of Impilo Isasekhona Pty Ltd. Besides tutoring learners, it also focuses on teaching entrepreneurial skills, public speaking, sewing and carpentry. Both the tutoring and skills development classes take place at the Mokwallo Disability Centre in Vredefort. The name Impilo Iasekhona means “there is life, even if you are faced with difficulties in your life”.
That is exactly what Neo experienced at a very young age. He had to repeat Gr. 3 twice because he could not read. Today, he believes this shaped his character. “I am forever grateful for every struggle I have ever faced in my life,” he says. His sole motivation for the project was to help learners excel in mathematics and science. “The more I helped other learners, the more I realised how much know- ledge and understanding I gained by helping others.” Tutoring learners in the same grade as he, meant he was always a step ahead of his classmates in maths and science.
It, therefore, comes as no surprise that Neo is a top maths achiever in his school and chairperson of his school’s RCL. His biggest achievement was that most learners he taught last year passed mathematics with an average of 50 per cent and above. To lead a team, with most of the team members being older than he was a challenge, “but we managed and made a success of everything we planned to do last year,” says Neo. As a Gr. 12 learner, he has to attend school every day, but he still makes time for the 15 matriculants he tutors.
Unfortunately, many of his tutoring teammates went to university this year, causing the centre to slow down on the tutoring of other grades. For Neo, like so many other learners, 2020 was a tough year, but it taught him a few life skills and valuable lessons. The most important one was that life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward and savouring the journey. “When the going gets tough, put one foot in front of the other and just keep going …”. And if you think this young entrepreneur’s vision stops here, think again. This year, Neo and MoAfrica Modisenyane started with an African Art Art initiative to teach his generation the history of African people. With several products that still have to be launched, they are working on their jewellery brand, among others.
