Jeppe Girl presents show on live television
Ntsako became a part of the awards after she was introduced to the founder of the communications company that took part in organising the event.
How many grade 11 girls can claim the privilege of being a Master of Ceremonies on a live television show?
Ntsako Mhlanga, a pupil at Jeppe High School for Girls, is able to claim this honour.
She was given the opportunity at the National Teaching Awards which were held at the Gallagher Convention Centre on March 7.
While public speaking can be challenging even for adults, Ntsako was unfazed at the idea of speaking in front of such a large audience.
The bubbly pupil was quick to say that she was not nervous and took the challenge in-stride.
“I am never nervous because I enjoy such things and I like speaking,” she said.
Ntsako became a part of the awards after she was introduced to the founder of the communications company that took part in organising the event.
After speaking to one of the organisers, they were impressed by her personality and told her she would be one of the MC’s at the event.
“We rehearsed for two hours every day, for five days, just going through our scripts. But we decided we would just go up there and do our thing because a perfected ad-lib doesn’t work that well,” said Ntsako.
Ntsako started taking part in public speaking at the school in grade 8 and has also started debating.
Asked how her classmates have treated her after her television debut, she laughed and said some of her fellow pupils have asked for her autograph. But she was quick to add that many still treat her exactly the same as before.
Ntsako said she loved the event.
“It was an amazing achievement and I was proud to be standing there as a Jeppe Girl,” she said.
Her two role models in the public sphere are Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education, and television personality Minnie Dlamini.
