SEEING the significant decline in the pass rate of Zululand District matriculants, local youth, Sibonelo Ntshangase, Zamokuhle Shongwe and Sbani Dlamini decided to intervene.
The three have established the Sukuma Mqulusi Social Investment Company (NPO) to help local grade 12 learners by providing mentoring and tutoring programs.
The programme will form partnerships with local school districts, university students and residents whose primary residence is in the Abaqulusi Municipality area.
Founders of the program have already started identifying schools with the lowest pass rate as well as the number of grade 12 learners who are unable to further their education at a tertiary institution and offer them a positive support system to avoid the pitfalls that can derail their future and give them access to resources that will better their lives.
Sukuma Mqulusi, meaning stand up youth of AbaQulusi, will provide mentoring and tutoring programs that will pair a mentor/tutor to a small group of students, depending on the number of students in grade 12.
During that time the mentor/tutor will tutor and mentor his/her group during University holidays and/or weekends to improve the young people’s knowledge, confidence and hopefulness.
Sukuma Mqulusi will set up four distinct programmes:
Assist Tutoring Programme: A tutor will be paired with a group of +/- twenty learners. Study tips; study materials, past papers, exam techniques and time management.
Uplift Mentoring Programme: A mentor will give career guidance (applications, suitable type of tertiary institution and bursaries) and teach them emotional and financial intelligence.
Turnaround: will help with the learners with social and health issues.
Social: this programme will help organise learner’s grade 12 dances, leadership camps, breakfast/lunch dates, motivational speakers and career expos.
The aim of this initiative is to increase the learners’ academic, financial and emotional intelligence while inspiring pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills and instil a sense of hope in the future.
Learners will be inspired to establish their goals and to follow through on all their commitments, as the founders believe that an individual is massively influenced by their support system.
Project organisers will be seeking donations of food parcels, water, stationery, prom dresses and suits from local businesses as well as general members of the public in order to help invest in the youth of AbaQulusi.
A series of fundraising activities that will successfully fund the expanding program are also in the pipeline.
The Board Members Executive directors are Sibonelo Ntshangase (CEO), Zamokuhle Shongwe (CFO) Sbani Dlamini(COO) Scelo Mchunu (Regional Head – Vryheid).
Non-executive directors are Sinethemba Thwala, Noxolo Sibiya, Zama Xaba and Ndumiso Manyathi.
