While other pupils were away enjoying their Easter holidays, the Teboho Trust Academy (TTA), had Saturday classes as usual at Madibane Secondary School, in Diepkloof Zone Three.
The academy which caters for pupils from Grade R to matric was established in 2001.
The name chosen for the organisation is a SeSotho name given to a child at birth.
It means, ‘Thank you God for giving us this gift’.
Jose Bright director and founder of the academy said, “We have programmes and activities to educate children and teens (ages four to 18) and facilitate the development of small enterprises for their caregivers, out-of-school youth and adults in the community.
“We also provide sports and recreational activities as well as educational and fun trips.
“The academy also provides personal empowerment and social development workshops as well as wellness programmes.”
Bright said it builds their self-esteem, help them to avoid pitfalls in the community and get them to apply the philosophy of Ubuntu.
“Our children and teens excel in their academic performance and we boast a 100% pass rate in matric.
“We also conduct wellness workshops and provide nutritious meals when operating our programmes and activities,” said Bright.
He said they follow the same syllabus that they do at their schools and all Soweto pupils are welcome to join the academy.
“What I like about the academy is that the community have taken ownership of the programme.
“The organisation is not about me but the community.
“We provide all of this in a loving and enabling environment.
“Unlike at their schools, where they have 60 or more pupils in a class, when they are here we are able to give them individual attention.
“Everything that is in these premises is donated,” Bright added.
