Miss SA 2024 Top 11 finalist, Ontshiametse Tlhopane from Protea Glen visited Emshukantabo Secondary School on July 29 to speak to Grade nine learners about careers and subject choices.
Most Grade nine learners going to Grade 10 experience a difficulties when choosing their subjects, the very same subjects that are meant to lead them into their future careers.
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This is why the Miss SA contestant felt the need to go to the school and advise the learners on how to prevent having problems when choosing their subjects.
Tlhopane was visiting the school for the third time since 2022 and during the talk, she spoke about her experiences with the wrong choice of subjects in her high school years and how that affected her.
“I thought of starting an organisation that empowers children academically, socially, physically, and mentally and I think a good place to start is in ensuring that they choose the right subjects,” said Tlhopane.
This year’s session also included Grade eight learners who seemed eager to gain as much information as they could from the experience. Learners also received pens and snacks from Tlhopane and her parents.
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Siphesihle Katane, a Grade eight learner said, “I appreciate the motivational speech she gave to us, especially about how to be yourself and love yourself even though some people may feel different about you. I feel like we had to hear that during the subject choice talk because insecurities play a huge part in this generation.”
The day was also sponsored by the school’s former learners, Lindiwe Baai, Ramotse Tau, and Lindi Tshabalala from the Phaphama Initiative who donated bottled water, snacks and sweets.
Pule Hlahane, the school’s English teacher said, “As a school, we are very privileged to have a person of her calibre working with us, as she said this is her third time visiting our school.
“Every time she comes, she brings this new energy and this year we did not only do this with the Grade nines but we also included some of our Grade eights to let them start understanding these talks now.”
