Empowering rural and township pupils with the knowledge to further their studies and follow their dreams was the message conveyed by international artist Bonginkosi “Zola 7” Dlamini.
Dlamini was the guest speaker at the Walter Sisulu University Campus in Whittlesea, where about 500 matriculants from 16 high schools in Komani and surrounding areas were treated to a wealth of information.
Various tertiary institutions from around the Lukhanji municipality were on site, sharing what courses they offered, which job opportunities are available in the different career streams and explaining how the pupils could apply.
Masibambane founder Diana Genu, who coordinated the event together with Sunrise, an organisation formed by students to share information through township and rural schools, said: “We invited Dlamini because he has so much experience and has been in movies where teenagers have been influenced by peer pressure, things that these children can relate to.”
Sunrise administration officer Yolisa Mbobo, a second-year student at Walter Sisulu University, said they aspired to raise awareness that life does not end in matric.
“Regardless of how poor you are, there are means to pursue your studies if you really want to. That is the message we want everyone to take home.
“Education is not out of reach because your family cannot afford to pay for tuition, but it's all up to the pupil.”
Chulumanco Lango, 18, a matriculant from Funda High School, said the information opened his eyes to a world of opportunities.
“I have always aspired to pursue an LLB and now I know that I don't have to be far from my family to follow my dreams.
“Zola 7 gave us a long and inspiring talk which really hit a nerve and helped me ask myself what I want to achieve in life and whether or not I am going about it the right way.”
Nompumelelo High School matriculant Nombasa Peter, 18, said several banks had attended the expo and shared how pupils could acquire funding to study further if they could not qualify for bursaries.
“The expo was liberating. There is so much on offer to help me fulfil my ambitions. “Zola 7 reminded me of how I need to stay focused and take pride in myself.”
Zandile Noholoza from Joe Slovo High School said she was surprised to see a celebrity like Zola addressing them.
“It's nice to know that those people who have made it Joburg, care about the youth and where they are going, it is very inspiring.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Zola inspires pupils to succeed
Dlamini was the guest speaker at the Walter Sisulu University Campus in Whittlesea, where about 500 matriculants from 16 high schools in Komani and surrounding areas were treated to a wealth of information.
Various tertiary institutions from around the Lukhanji municipality were on site, sharing what courses they offered, which job opportunities are available in the different career streams and explaining how the pupils could apply.
Masibambane founder Diana Genu, who coordinated the event together with Sunrise, an organisation formed by students to share information through township and rural schools, said: “We invited Dlamini because he has so much experience and has been in movies where teenagers have been influenced by peer pressure, things that these children can relate to.”
Sunrise administration officer Yolisa Mbobo, a second-year student at Walter Sisulu University, said they aspired to raise awareness that life does not end in matric.
“Regardless of how poor you are, there are means to pursue your studies if you really want to. That is the message we want everyone to take home.
“Education is not out of reach because your family cannot afford to pay for tuition, but it's all up to the pupil.”
Chulumanco Lango, 18, a matriculant from Funda High School, said the information opened his eyes to a world of opportunities.
“I have always aspired to pursue an LLB and now I know that I don't have to be far from my family to follow my dreams.
“Zola 7 gave us a long and inspiring talk which really hit a nerve and helped me ask myself what I want to achieve in life and whether or not I am going about it the right way.”
Nompumelelo High School matriculant Nombasa Peter, 18, said several banks had attended the expo and shared how pupils could acquire funding to study further if they could not qualify for bursaries.
“The expo was liberating. There is so much on offer to help me fulfil my ambitions. “Zola 7 reminded me of how I need to stay focused and take pride in myself.”
Zandile Noholoza from Joe Slovo High School said she was surprised to see a celebrity like Zola addressing them.
“It's nice to know that those people who have made it Joburg, care about the youth and where they are going, it is very inspiring.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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