Mamelodi, Eersterust teens urged to own their futures
Career clarity and hope are on offer as local youth groups are visiting schools with guidance, bursaries, and support for learners.
Learners from Mamelodi and Eersterust have been advised to start making their own decisions when it comes to career choices and research.
Triumphant Youth Projects (TYP) brought this important information to grade 11 and 12 learners on June 14.
TYP has partnered with TM Foundation as part of an ongoing career guidance and alcohol awareness programme.
Klaas “KK” Keletsoe, TYP chairperson, said it’s a privilege to engage with the learners and also talk to them about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
Keletsoe said many learners are making wrong career choices just because of following their friends’ choices, and they end up not completing their studies.
He said the dangers of consuming alcohol were added to the programme, because alcohol abuse has destroyed many learners’ futures.
Keletsoe said he was talking from experience and didn’t want to see learners make the mistake he made during his high school days.
The main aim of the awareness programme is to emphasise the importance of early university applications and encourage learners not to wait for matric results before taking their future into their own hands.
He said they are visiting different schools in Mamelodi, Eersterust and Nellmapius.
The recent visit also marked the launch of a new bursary support initiative. It is aimed at high school learners affected by parental alcoholism, as well as youth under 35 who had to drop out of school due to financial hardship, yet still carry the dream of returning to complete their education.
Simangele Tshabalala Bello from TM Foundation said the new bursary support initiative was introduced to the learners, “because we believe that where you come from should never determine where you’re going.
“Many young people carry silent burdens at home, especially those affected by substance abuse within the family,” said Bello.
She said these learners often get overlooked, but not anymore.
The two organisations are stepping in to walk this journey with them.
“At TM Foundation, we’re committed to building stronger communities, one generation at a time. It starts with restoring hope, removing financial barriers, and helping young people access the education they deserve.
Keletsoe added the career guidance programme guides learners into making the right decisions when it comes to career choices and avoiding choosing common courses because of peer pressure from friends.
Both organisations also donated sanitary pads to the schools.
Their next stop is Tsako Thabo Secondary School in Mamelodi, when the schools reopen after the school holidays.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
