LIMPOPO – “BE the change you want to see in the world,” was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quotes and is strongly concurred with by Athanatious Masoma (23) from Tibanefontein in Ga-Matlala, who is a master’s degree student in media studies at the University of Limpopo.
“I once visited the University of Notre Dame in the US to advance my English vocabulary. I was given this opportunity by the United States embassy through the Undergraduate Intensive English Language Study Programme. Also included were leadership skills programmes and community engagements, which lead me to start a non-profit organisaiton called Peer on Peer Educators. This organisation seeks to inspire learners, particularly those in gr. 12, by developing their writing, reading and listening skills, and to encourage ongoing learning through digital technology and natural speech context,” Masoma said.
He said he realised that most learners were from backgrounds where English was hardly spoken. Through Peer on Peer Educators, learners were encouraged to participate in public speaking and to promote listening skills through storytelling and reading books.
“I gathered young people at tertiary level to go around the province to motivate their peers and this initiative was well received by the learners and the teachers. We have already visited Makobateng High School and Motlishi Secondary School, both in Ga-Matlala, Ngwana Mohube High School in Ga-Mphahlele, Sefoloko and Motlalahohle Secondary Schools, both in Botlokwa, and Ditlalemeso Secondary School in Mankweng,” he said.
He further said he was born to a poor family but never let this shatter his dreams of being the change he wanted to see in South Africa.
“I am also addressing the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups because my master’s degree research is focused on representation of disability in television programmes.
“I am currently writing a novel titled Repercussions and I work at Radio Turf as the Midnight Express host from 00:00 to 03:00, Mondays to Fridays,” he said.
In 2014 while doing his honours degree, he directed a film called Integrity Millionaire, which was released this year.
“One of the main challenges faced by my organisation is a lack of sponsors, but this has never been allowed to become a stumbling block, as we use our own money when needed.
