A group of talented youth at Brettonwood High School have come up with a brilliant way to motivate their peers with the launch of the Youth Empowerment Association.
The YEA is dubbed ‘Team: Unlock your potential’ and has its sights set on big changes at the school. With bright and bold ideas, the YEA aims to acknowledge and reflect the diversity of the learners while providing personal development opportunities and activities that meet the school’s objectives.
The association is headed by a committee of Grade 10 learners; chairman, Phila Gcaba, treasurer Gomolemo Mohapi, Sbonelo Ngubo, media officer Nomsa Mthembu and MD Sanele Ngubo, who are hungry to succeed and want their fellow pupils to follow suit.
Phila said the idea of starting the association grew out of a discussion in January with Sbonelo. “We were in accounting class and chatting about which university we wanted to go to. I realised I didn’t want to go to Rhodes alone, but wanted to get my friends there too.”
Since then the team had been discussing the best way forward to deal with demotivated youth.
“We want to break the inferiority complex that many pupils at our school have,” said Phila Gcaba. Phila explained that although Brettonwood is also an ex-model C school, the school in recent years did not enjoy an outstanding reputation. He said the school has changed its image but it was hard to change mindsets.
Sanele added, “We won a debating competition recently and when the guys at DHS and Clifton realised we were from Brettonwood they were surprised. On one hand that should be a good thing but on the other it is as if they don’t even consider us as good contenders so we are trying to break out of that mould and want the rest of the school to be motivated to do the same!”
Jabu Senwamadi, deputy chief education specialist for Youth Development at the Department of Education was thoroughly impressed with the learners’ presentation and plans to break boundaries set by society. “The more they grow and learn from others the better their own development and self awareness. I want to see them grow and get out and hear them speak at conferences at the ICC, Cape Town and internationally on issues affecting schools,” she added.
Nicole Graham, ward councillor and guest speaker, said, “I have really enjoyed being here today at Brettenwood. This club, which aims to empower young people through various activities, is a great initiative and one I support. Well done to the passionate young people who are involved.”
