A commitment to increase access to education for young children in marginalised communities in South Africa has earned Lebo Sekhotla – a third year student at Monash South Africa (MSA) – global recognition for her work.
On Wednesday night‚ Sekhotla was awarded the international Here for Good Award for youth empowerment work at a gala dinner in the United States attended by higher education leaders and dignitaries‚ including the former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
The psychology and management student was awarded the award by the chairman and CEO of Laureate International Universities‚ Douglas Becker.
Sekhotla developed a motivational programme for Grade 9 learners designed to give learners the life skills‚ confidence and career guidance they need to stay in school‚ apply to university and contribute to their communities.
In addition to the award for her work with local school learners‚ Sekhotla will also receive further support for her post-graduate studies and be appointed a Here for Good Ambassador for South Africa.
She is the first South African student to secure this recognition.
The school learner programme‚ Tomorrow Starts Today‚ assists and inspires learners from local community schools while helping with necessary life and computer skills to equip them for tertiary education.
Sekhotla believes education empowers and can break the cycle of poverty.
“I’ve seen how my own experience has impacted my sisters and my cousins and how much more motivated they are to continue their studies. It’s made me realise that if you educate one person‚ you educate the whole family‚ and the whole community becomes transformed.”
South African student takes top honours for motivational programme
A commitment to increase access to education for young children in marginalised communities in South Africa has earned Lebo Sekhotla – a third year student at Monash South Africa (MSA) – global recognition for her work.
On Wednesday night‚ Sekhotla was awarded the international Here for Good Award for youth empowerment work at a gala dinner in the United States attended by higher education leaders and dignitaries‚ including the former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
The psychology and management student was awarded the award by the chairman and CEO of Laureate International Universities‚ Douglas Becker.
Sekhotla developed a motivational programme for Grade 9 learners designed to give learners the life skills‚ confidence and career guidance they need to stay in school‚ apply to university and contribute to their communities.
In addition to the award for her work with local school learners‚ Sekhotla will also receive further support for her post-graduate studies and be appointed a Here for Good Ambassador for South Africa.
She is the first South African student to secure this recognition.
The school learner programme‚ Tomorrow Starts Today‚ assists and inspires learners from local community schools while helping with necessary life and computer skills to equip them for tertiary education.
Sekhotla believes education empowers and can break the cycle of poverty.
“I’ve seen how my own experience has impacted my sisters and my cousins and how much more motivated they are to continue their studies. It’s made me realise that if you educate one person‚ you educate the whole family‚ and the whole community becomes transformed.”
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