Three young men from Fisantekraal have been honoured for their hard work and achievements in the face of great adversity.
The Waumbe Achievers’ Awards were held at the Fisantekraal Community Hall on Friday October 21.
Waumbe is a youth development organisation established in Fisantekraal in 2014.
Lwando Myozi received the Recognition Award for matriculating from Fisantekraal High School in 2013 with two distinctions and a 75 percent average.
Now studying a BCom at the University of the Western Cape, he thanked Waumbe for getting him where he is today.
“Before Waumbe, I was very demotivated, not only in my studies, but with life. I learnt so much from them during this time, but what stands out for me is the leadership skills,” he said.
Lwando said there were too few role models in Fisantekraal to help young people deal with a range of social ills.
“I would like to see more young people going to university or FET colleges. A lot of people in the area simply go into teaching, but I would like for them to dream bigger.”
Fisantekraal High School Grade 11 pupil Thembelani Jikwana, was named as the Game Changer of the Year.
Thembelani coaches soccer to 10 to 15-year-old boys in the area.
“I had people who helped me when I was younger, to get out of the streets and involved in sports. That’s what motivated me to want to make a change especially with young boys.”
After matric, Thembelani hopes to start his own sports club in the area.
“A lot of the youth feel trapped by their circumstances and surroundings, which often prevent them from going further in life.”
Brendan Tieties, a grade 12 pupil at Fisantekraal High School, was recognised for his community work and leadership skills. He received the Most Promising Young Leader of the Year award.
“It was a big moment for me, as there was so many other worthy nominees,” he said.
Brendan joined Waumbe at the beginning of the year and says it taught him the importance of having a vision of what you want to achieve.
Drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, dropping out of school and poverty, were just some of the issues that confronted Fisantekraal’s youth, he said.
“We need more partnerships with organisations but also for the youth in the area to get involved.
“Waumbe provides you with opportunities to grow and develop your skills, and it also gives you a platform to help you reach your dreams.”
He wants to study mechanical engineering but still plans to continue with his community work.
Mandela Rhodes Scholar Luthando Mzilikazi was the guest speaker at the event.
Raised by a single parent in Khayelitsha, she completed her BCom with honours at UWC and was awarded the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Scholarship.
She is the founder of Stand Out, an NPO that helps poor students achieve academic success.