Katlego Kwanaite, a Grd 11 learner at the school, was honoured with this title by the International Leadership Academy which encourages the youth to get involved with projects in their communities. This was the third year Katlego has participated in this project. The aim of the academy is to train leaders for the future, said Katlego.
“When we started in 2017, altogether 32 learners were elected from the Lephalale circuit. In my first year I launched a project that encouraged people to donate sanitary pads for girls in the Shongwane area near Lephalale. I asked everyone I knew and some of the teachers at my school also donated,” said the enthusiastic youngster.
The learners had to complete this task before moving on the next year. Only seven learners remained in the programme. “I was elected to continue with another project to recruit volunteers for a malaria testing project. I received the testing kits and when someone tested positive, I encouraged them to visit the department of health in Lephalale for treatment. We diagnosed many people in the community in this way,” he said.
This programme, says Katlego, is run by two American women whose objective it is to grow young leaders in Africa. “Their programme really had an impact on my life, as no one has ever taught me how to be a leader,” he said.
For this year’s project, the youngster plans to farm vegetables. Along with his vegetables, he plans to hand out grocery packs to families in need in Seleka, outside Lephalale. He is reaching out to sponsors to assist with this.
“I want to improve the standard of living of the people around me. I dream of becoming a doctor one day and to render a service to patients who cannot afford treatment.”
