To teach is to touch lives forever
Passion is what drives some people to do what they do best and forward. Katlego Thwane is a 24 year old undergraduate student at UNISA, hold an A+ computer certificate and a teacher by profession. Down the streets of Soweto in Dobsonville extension 2 Katlego did his house-to-house marketing asking permission from parents to allow their children to participate in his extended generosity on weekends by providing services like bible studies, basic computer skills, English literature, mathematics and lunch during lessons to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Resources are a vast hinder to the success of extending the number of his pupils in his facilities as he only has one computer, very few books and uses his personal space as the main facility of learning. Sponsorships in the form of stationery, computer material and nutritional meals are what he requires in order for him to see the pupils happy at the end of the day. Katlego has inspired and adopted a role of unemployed parents in his community. Neighbours are praising him for the remarkable work he has done. “I have two sons who are diagnosed with ADHD and my husband and I are both not capable to provide for them. One of my son’s had to change schools because he was not able to cope before but now he has drastically improved in his studies and has been promoted to a grade higher and receiving achievements certificates due to Katlego’s assistance in the new school” said Mrs Molobedi. EduWeek which is the largest and most recognized African education event bringing together educational professionals across Educational Technology, Vocational & higher Education, Basic Education, Inclusive Education and new for 2016 Early Childhood Development recognized Katlego’s generosity and nominated him in the final category of the “Educator who Cares” which was held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from the 29 – 30June 2016. Katlego wants to create an environment whereby matriculants who are unemployed can gain knowledge of how to be self-sustained. “Being a teacher is not about an income but an outcome, we are being called to serve and inspire the learners. People need to take pride in their communities by going an extra mile to groom pupils through knowledge and skills that teachers have acquired” said Katlego.
