Keeping Madiba’s legacy alive through mentoring
Mandela Day project empowers youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.
More than empowering high school learners for only one day during the International Mandela Day, the C4U Foundation rolled out the Youth Mentorship Project aimed at empowering 67 young people from disadvantaged communities from various communities around Tshwane.
The project was rolled out in Atteridgeville, Sunnyside, Mamelodi, Alexandra, Olivenhoutbosch, Diepsloot and Ennerdale and was aimed at allowing the communities to have one on one and group mentorship sessions with industry professionals at Freedom Park.
“Through the Mandela Day Empowerment Walk, we aim to cultivate a culture where young people ask relevant questions to experienced professionals. It will also allow them to acknowledge the importance of having a mentor as they journey towards success,” said Fulufhelo Ramulifho, the Managing Director of C4U Foundation which organised the walk.
That the walk, the second after the one held in 2014 at the Union Buildings, was held at Freedom Park was significant, she said.
“Madiba was a fervent advocate for education. Therefore, to these learners, we are selling education as a way out of their circumstances. We wanted to do something different than just cleaning schools or feeding them for just one day but rather equip them for a life of success. We are paying it forward,” she said.
Selebogo ‘Dr Lifesgud’ Molefe, a motivational speaker, shared his personal story with the leaners.
Growing up he had ambitions of getting a tertiary education, qualify and get a cushy job. He passed high school but his parents told him there had been no money for university, he said.
He had to let go of his university dreams and resorted to doing people’s hair in the streets of Johannesburg and later an assistant to a builder, mixing concrete.
“I connected with the right people who taught me the value of not giving up on your dreams. I never did. Hence here I am today, as evidence that you can be anything you desire to be. Use your interaction today as a stepping stone to get out of your circumstances,” he urged.
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