S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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Ntsako would like to see a world where people have compassion and empathy for one another.
Growing up in a village, I was not exposed to things like career guidance, except for teaching. When I was eight years old, I had an ailment in my genital area that required me to get circumcised. However, when I went to our local public hospital, which was known to have some of the worst patient care in South Africa (SA), I was told that I was too late and that the doctor’s shift for the week had already ended. Upon learning about my story, the doctor made an exception and extended his shift to help me. He was as concerned about my mental health as he was about the ailment. He made sure that I was happy and he offered to get me circumcised on his day off. When he asked about what I wanted to do when I grow up, I told him that I wanted to be like him – to be a person that helps people. From then on, I wanted to be a doctor, because I personally knew people who also required medical care, but were unable to receive it.
The doctor who helped me when I was nine years old and my cousin who is an occupational therapist. I’ve also lost family members to diseases that could have been cured had they received help from doctors. They couldn’t receive the help as they would be told that there are no doctors on duty, and they had no medical aid to go to private medical institutions.
I would like to see more positivity being spread in our world. It kills me to see people being bullied or having no self-esteem. I would like to see a world where people have compassion and empathy for one another. I contribute to positivity, as I am a kind person. I always try to make people have fun and a memorable experience. I don’t have to make them laugh for them to be happy, but a simple compliment about something they have done or what they are wearing could go a long way in filling them with positivity.
I attended Boitshepo Secondary School from grade 9 to 12 which is situated in a village called Marokolong, Hammanskraal. It is a quintile 1 school with very limited resources, however, my teachers made up for the lack of resources as they ensured that they gave us high quality education. I had three very good teachers, they were passionate about teaching and they made sure that they provided us with the necessary life lessons about our academics, university life and discipline. I loved my schoolmates and classmates. There was unity and humanity above all, despite occasional violent altercations. I enjoyed my time there.
I enjoyed knowing about the origins of the topics we used to study. Learning about who, when, and why they developed these topics was by far my favourite part. My teachers were funny; they always made sure that the learning atmosphere was jovial instead of the typical seriousness that is often associated with teachers that teach these subjects. I used to study these subjects when I was young, and my father would have quizzes about them. Finding some of the topics we used to discuss about at a later stage in my life would make me reminisce about those memories.
People often hold the stereotypical view that these subjects are difficult, and their poor performance often begins with low marks in the lower grades. These bad grades enable them to agree with what they have been told about these subjects being difficult and they end up giving up on them without even trying. When they lapse, their basic skills are compromised and they are unable to pick up their grades later on, thus they struggle with doing well.
They must be humble. They must work hard, smart, and collaborate with their classmates. They must dream and act on their dreams.
They must reflect on themselves, do a SWOT analysis and ask people they trust for career guidance. (SWOT = strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.) They must always aim for excellence, even though it is not easy. They must apply for courses they want and qualify for, rather than applying to an institution simply because they like it.
A person that works hard to achieve the best that they could while aiming and working for a much bigger goal than what they attained. It is not always about the achievement, but also about the effort they put in to achieve something. A disciplined person, a person who works for their goals no matter the circumstances.
Regardless of their circumstances, they must always work hard to achieve their dreams because it is possible. A dream delayed or obscured by obstacles is not a dream denied. We are aware of our country’s limited opportunities and many other socio-economic challenges. However, the change starts with us because we are the future of tomorrow.
The love that they have and they continue to share with our community is appreciated, important and rewarding. They are not just workers at a school, but they are our parents, who make it their goal to help us make it in life. We love and appreciate them. I wish that they could continue to be the inspirations they are to our community. Above all else, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate them for the role that they each played in my life.
I would choose Sadio Mane, a Senegalese footballer. I would tell him to keep giving back the fruits of his success to his people, because a candle doesn’t lose any light by lighting other candles and at the end of the day, the room becomes brighter. He has saved and inspired many lives.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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