Youngster aims to help out with matric dances
Young man throws a party for Grade 12 learners.
What makes a hero? Small gestures can go a long way in making someone’s life better and worth living.
It is rather hard to discover heroes in our society because people don’t think of themselves as heroes under most circumstances.
Tsepo Rapudi, who is 19-years-old, took it upon himself to come up with a plan when he realised that there are many children who cannot afford the money required by schools for their annual matric dance.
He said matric dance costs about R900 for one person, which is generally what many households depend on for on a daily basis.
“I also asked for the R900 from my unemployed mother but she couldn’t afford it,” said Tsepo Rapudi.
He said the matric dance comes once in one’s life and many can’t miss the opportunity of creating memories.
“I felt disappointed to know that I can’t get money for the matric dance but I had to accept my parent’s economic challenges. There are many learners who are in the same position.”
He said grade 12 is a crucial stage in a young person’s life and it definitely should be celebrated.
He said grade 12 opens doors to future possibilities when setting out on a career path and access to tertiary institutions.
To make the year a memorable one he approached many children who could not afford the R900 needed for the matric dance and he proposed that each learner donates R50 instead.
The money raised was not enough and he approached local businesses and pitched his plan and mentioned the learners’ situation.
He said even from that endeavour he could not raise enough money but what he got from one local businessman encouraged him to push further.
He said persistence paid off when the turnout was beyond his expectation and many attendees contributed the R50 at the gate.
“When the children, who were able to pay R900 for the matric dance, came back from their trip they joined us and we all had fun together on the cordoned off street. No one felt left out because their families are not well off,” said Rapudi.
Rapudi outdid himself when he showed concern for others.
Rapudi is surely a hero to remember for his selflessness.
