A mining engineer from Mthatha returned to his old high school last week to deliver a powerful motivational message to the new generation of pupils.
Over the past three years, Tandile “Tadz” Sicetsha, 24, has empowered hundreds of pupils through his motivational talks at a number of schools around Mthatha. The point that he drives home is that education is the only way to a brighter future.
He was raised under “challenging” circumstances by a single mother in the Payne Location outside Mthatha but did not allow these conditions to become a barrier against success.
The unassuming, slightly built but highly motivated Wits graduate shares his success tips and gives advice.
Last week Sicetsha spoke to more than 200 pupils at his alma mater, Zingisa Comprehensive High School, where he attained the highest marks in maths and science in his 2008 matric year.
The motivational session was dubbed “Academic Development” and topics ranged from how to adopt a positive attitude, develop an ethos for commitment and hard work and the power of prayer. The sessions are free of charge.
What motivates Sicetsha? “I want to make a difference and give hope to pupils who struggle academically.
My motto is that nothing is impossible. Dream, African child,” said Sicetsha.
Sicetsha, who was awarded a BSc Honours degree in Mining Management at Wits University in 2012, now works for the world’s second largest platinum producer, Impala Platinum (Implats) in Rustenburg. His responsibilities include detection of mineral deposits underground and setting occupational health and safety standards. He is being trained as a mine manager. The company paid for his tertiary tuition due to his excellent results in maths and science.
He has received an array of accolades, including an award for a maths and science project at Walter Sisulu University. Now he plans to expand his footprint to schools across the OR Tambo district municipality. Sicetsha wants to launch a non-profit organisation called Tadzman Foundation to attract sponsorship for Eastern Cape pupils.
“Investors should know that these children are willing and able, but lack the resources. My wish is to arm pupils with information that will enable them to reach their potential and become productive citizens,” he said.
Provincial education MEC Mandla Makupula said there were “small pockets” of pupils who needed extra help from community members. “Sicetsha is making a huge impact towards unlocking the potential of our pupils.”
Pupil Malwande Mkalipi, 20, said her “mentor” had lifted her spirits during the trial exams. “Personally, he made me realise that it does not matter where you come from – what matters is where you are going to,” she said. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Education key to unlocking life’s potential
Over the past three years, Tandile “Tadz” Sicetsha, 24, has empowered hundreds of pupils through his motivational talks at a number of schools around Mthatha. The point that he drives home is that education is the only way to a brighter future.
He was raised under “challenging” circumstances by a single mother in the Payne Location outside Mthatha but did not allow these conditions to become a barrier against success.
The unassuming, slightly built but highly motivated Wits graduate shares his success tips and gives advice.
Last week Sicetsha spoke to more than 200 pupils at his alma mater, Zingisa Comprehensive High School, where he attained the highest marks in maths and science in his 2008 matric year.
The motivational session was dubbed “Academic Development” and topics ranged from how to adopt a positive attitude, develop an ethos for commitment and hard work and the power of prayer. The sessions are free of charge.
What motivates Sicetsha? “I want to make a difference and give hope to pupils who struggle academically.
My motto is that nothing is impossible. Dream, African child,” said Sicetsha.
Sicetsha, who was awarded a BSc Honours degree in Mining Management at Wits University in 2012, now works for the world’s second largest platinum producer, Impala Platinum (Implats) in Rustenburg. His responsibilities include detection of mineral deposits underground and setting occupational health and safety standards. He is being trained as a mine manager. The company paid for his tertiary tuition due to his excellent results in maths and science.
He has received an array of accolades, including an award for a maths and science project at Walter Sisulu University. Now he plans to expand his footprint to schools across the OR Tambo district municipality. Sicetsha wants to launch a non-profit organisation called Tadzman Foundation to attract sponsorship for Eastern Cape pupils.
“Investors should know that these children are willing and able, but lack the resources. My wish is to arm pupils with information that will enable them to reach their potential and become productive citizens,” he said.
Provincial education MEC Mandla Makupula said there were “small pockets” of pupils who needed extra help from community members. “Sicetsha is making a huge impact towards unlocking the potential of our pupils.”
Pupil Malwande Mkalipi, 20, said her “mentor” had lifted her spirits during the trial exams. “Personally, he made me realise that it does not matter where you come from – what matters is where you are going to,” she said. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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