S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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Lehlohonolo would like to see a sustainable tomorrow — a tomorrow where the environment is safe and the economy benefits everyone.
I chose the course that I am studying because it is very broad and very flexible, and will allow me to continuously upskill myself, ensuring a dynamic and adaptive approach to my future career. I will be well-equipped to make meaningful contributions to the pivotal mission of shaping a sustainable tomorrow, from renewable energy to bolstering economic growth. The course provides me with a foundation in energy and robotics, which are things that will define our future.
My community is my inspiration. Even though it is a poor community and the majority of people were never able to achieve their dreams and fulfil their potential, you would think that would break them, but it doesn’t. They go through every day as change makers and hustle every day. They also always believe that better days are coming. I want to be a change maker, instead of believing that better days are coming. I want to be one to bring change and show the spirit of everyone in my community lives in me. That’s why I chose a course that will allow me to improve and make an impact in the world.
I want a sustainable tomorrow — a tomorrow where the environment is safe and the economy benefits everyone. I know that’s a bit of a stretch, but I believe that we can achieve it. By the end of my degree, I will have the necessary skills to make meaningful contributions to these objectives. I know it’s a big task, but I believe we can do it, one project at a time and one industry at a time. I want to be a skilled individual to be part of this transformative change.
I completed my schooling at Jc Motumi Secondary school, in Kutlwanong, in the Free State. The school has its challenges, as it’s a quintile 2 school (a public school ranked in the second-poorest 20% of schools nationally), including lack of electricity and food at times. But the school doesn’t let that affect our studies, as the staff show true collaboration and understanding of each other and the situation. One thing I can say about my teachers is that I wouldn’t be where I am without their guidance and every teacher treated us as family. They didn’t mind going out of their way to help you with anything. That’s where I saw that to succeed you need a team of great people.
I enjoyed maths and physical science because they required me to think critically and develop a reasoning capacity. They enabled me to push beyond my mental limits and improve my cognitive abilities. And there is nothing I love more than improving myself in any aspect. In a more traditional sense, I would say I enjoyed maths and physical science because I enjoyed solving problems.
I think they are struggling because they do not allow their brains to function at a higher level. I would suggest that they improve their cognitive abilities by playing Sudoku, which helped me a lot in Grade 10, as it teaches you to look at things from different perspectives. They should also practise maths and physics on a daily basis to familiarise themselves with the subjects; by doing so, the subjects will become easier over time. They should stop looking at these subjects as obstacles and look at them as a chance to learn something new.
Time management is key, I know this is always emphasised, but that’s because it’s super important. You can be the smartest person but without proper time management you won’t be productive and won’t fulfil your potential. They must learn to respect time because that’s something you can’t get back once it’s gone.
Choose a course that is close to your heart, I know sometimes you feel that there’s nothing close to your heart, so in that case just look at your beliefs and values and try to pick something aligning with those. It’s hard in university to survive if you are studying something that you don’t even connect with.
What makes an achiever? To be an achiever, you need to understand that a task is only well done when you give it your best. You must do everything as if it were your last day alive. The ability to optimise yourself is a trait of an achiever. Being intentional about everything you do. I know motivation is necessary to maximise your efforts as a person, but for me a true achiever can push past their limits every time, whether motivated or not.
We are the change makers and we are the future. So, wherever you are as a young adult in SA, strive to make an impact in everything you do. I understand that sometimes it’s hard to make an impact, but we are stronger than we think as the youth of SA. Get up and chase that dream of yours, no matter how blurry it is, just know that you will achieve because we are born survivors as South Africans as indicated by our history and roots. I urge South African youth to embrace our history, roots, and strength by chasing their dreams relentlessly and making an impact.
I want to extend a heartfelt gratitude and say, “thank you”. I also want them to know if it was not for them, I would not have been where I am today. If it was not for their love, I would not understand that kindness is important, and now I do. I also want to thank them for helping me discover my passion and my dreams because without them I would still be lost without passions and dreams. Thanks to them and they should keep being such great people. They are a true reflection of the concept of UBUNTU, which is what made them such great teachers. (Ubuntu is a Southern African philosophy or group of values, with the word meaning “humanity.” It is often translated as “I am because we are” or “I am because you are.”)
I would choose the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. I would say a lot of things ranging from sustainable energy to the economic status of our country. All the things that I would say are linked to one thing – ensuring a sustainable tomorrow for our country. I would ask him about change and what it takes to be a great leader. Also ask about why is it so difficult to implement change as the President of SA. It would be a very long conversation but those are the main points of that conversation.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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