East learner bags trophies at poet championship
The 19-year-old from Phomolong ext.6 in Mamelodi represented Gauteng schools under the category of Poems in indigenous language.
A local learner has put Mamelodi schools on the map when she obtained third position at the national Inkosi Albert Luthuli Oral competition over the weekend.
Keneilwe Mbehle (19) a learner from Mamelodi East Pre-Vocational School walked away with a certificate of participation and a cash prize.
The 19-year-old from Phomolong Ext 6 in Mamelodi represented Gauteng schools in the category of Poetry in Indiginous Languages.
Mbehle said her passion for reading poems started at primary school, when one of her teachers gave the whole class a poem to read at home as part of the school home work.
She has never looked back.
She says that when she moved to Mamelodi East Pre-Vocational School where she is studying to become a motor mechanic, one of the teachers noticed that she loved poems.
Mbehle said she then started reading poetry at school events.
She was inspired to follow her passion of reading poems by Rossina Mokamelo, one of the staff members at the school.
In 2023 she entered the national Inkosi Albert Luthuli Oral poetry competition, where she went all the way to nationals, collecting trophies and certificates at every step.
Rossina Mokamelo, who loves arts and culture, said she saw raw talent in Mbehle, and commented that she always talked about how she loves reading poetry.
She said when she was asked to read poems at school events, and she gladly took up the challenge.
Mokamelo said she then started writing her poems in Sepedi and they practiced together on the school sports ground.
She said she helped Mbehle because when she was growing up, she never had the opportunity to share her talents.
The principal of the school, Seemelo Matlala, applauded both Mbehle and Mokamelo for getting the name of the school name onto the map.
Matlala said she was proud of the achievements of the school’s learners, and was encouraged to have staff members who go all out to help the learners.
The principal also encouraged other learners to work hard and follow their dreams.
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