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Young minds achieve The President’s Award

TPA provides experiential learning opportunities to help young people discover talents that do not necessarily show up in the classroom.

MBOMBELA – Pupils from local schools were honoured with internationally recognised awards for their efforts to become well-rounded individuals by participating in The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment (TPA).

The prize-giving ceremony was held at Penryn College recently.

TPA provides experiential learning opportunities to help young people discover talents that do not necessarily show up in the classroom. It is affiliated to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People and is a member of the International Award Foundation which oversees the programme in over 140 countries globally.

 

Developing skills, participating in regular physical recreation, offering service in the community, and completing an adventurous journey earned participants silver and bronze awards.

 

In the Lowveld, two learners from Uplands College and one from Penryn were awarded silver. Among the bronze awardees, 19 came from Sitintile Secondary in KaNyamazane, 10 from Sabane Secondary in Zwelishwa, seven from Mthombo Secondary in White River, two from Lowveld High School and one from Penryn College

 

“These are the leaders of tomorrow, and we are glad that we are able to contribute to nourish their young minds,” said Palesa Matuludi, TPA manager.

 

Miss South Africa 2016, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, who hails from the province, delivered a motivational talk to the 100 attendees. “I may not have been the most beautiful girl in the room, but I strove to be the most educated woman in the group so my brains were my ticket to the crown. I knew that once I start speaking, you can’t deny me anything. It was my strongest point.

 

“You are not just a pretty face, you are not just beautiful, you are strong, you are capable, you are determined and you are so many things on top of that. You have so much to give, you have so much to contribute,” she said.

 


One of the participants from Lowveld High School, Trevor Shakwane, said the programme helped him to build confidence, and to engage with his community.

 

“I feel satisfied to have completed this programme. I have put a lot of effort in it and today the fruits are showing,” he said.

 

Anyone between 14 and 24 can enroll in the TPA. Enquiries: Lara Kruiskamp on 082-829-5853 or Lk@presidentsaward.co.za.

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