Rise, lead and make a difference in Bizana
Founder Awethu Mkentane hopes the academy will uplift society.
Crown Rise Academy, based in Bizana, is a newly formed organisation with the goal of empowering young people to rise, lead and make a difference.
Founded by Awethu Mkentane and Lethokuhle Makoli, it’s the fulfillment of a vision Awethu has had for a few years.
She has been inspired by what she has seen and heard from various people, especially when it comes to modelling.
Awethu has come across questions like: “Can I model if I have a fuller figure?” and “Can I still model if I have a child?”
She explained that there are people who wonder whether they can pursue opportunities because they are different or because they are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Those questions really made her think and she asked herself, “Why should someone feel that they cannot pursue their dream because of their body, their circumstances or because they are different?”
She wants to the academy to be a place where people understand that they do not have to hide their dreams because they are insecure about who they are.
“When people hear the word academy, they might think it is only about modelling or pageantry. For me, it is much bigger than that. I want us to build young people who have confidence, respect, discipline, knowledge and the ability to communicate with others,” she said.
Her hope is that as the academy grows it will reach more young people, create meaningful programmes and opportunities, build partnerships with schools, businesses and organisations, and make a positive contribution to our community.
The executive team consists of Awethu Mkentane (founder), Lethokuhle Makoli (co-founder/treasurer), Lulama Khwela (director), Samkelisiwe Ellah Ncitha (chairperson), Nobuhle Ngubane (deputy chairperson/secretary), Pinkie Sojica (head girl), Saziso Zangwa (head boy).
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