BY REGINALD KANYANE

EDUCATION is the only unique way to end poverty. Bokamoso Innovation Hub founder, Lesego Serolong said they will continue to empower the youths who were deprived.

Serolong said they offering many students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds across Dr Ruth Mompati district, bursaries to further their studies at tertiary level.

“We have a project called Raising The Children which supports mostly child headed families and orphans. We have assisted more than 30 students so far and some of them have already graduated. In order to end poverty, we must empower youths and women to transform their lives.

“Education is very critical and we always encourage our youths to take it seriously. We are now working together with North West premier’s wife, Kule Mahumapelo to unlock young minds. We do this through business training and mentorship,” Serolong said.

She was born in Choseng village, Taung and studied in United Kingdom. Serolong said she decided to come back to South Africa to assist in eradicating poverty.

“We have visited various areas across North West and realised how women continue to carry the burden of poverty. For women to successfully move out of poverty, they need confidence and business skills. Our model allows them to leave poverty behind for good.

“We have decided to create food gardens for the youths and women. This will creates dignity, ownership and self-sufficiency. Turning women and youths into entrepreneurs creates a lasting opportunities for them to lift their families out of poverty,” she said.

Serolong and Mahumapelo visited Moretele local municipality last week. She said they are now doing research and feasibility study about the life-style of the youths and women in that area.

“We will be working in partnership with Moretele chief to come up with strategic plans to assist the youths there. We also urge all stakeholders to come on board. It is important for the society to take care of the youths and women. We need to use education as a tool to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“We also encourage the society to take care of the most vulnerable group which is our elderly persons. It is hard nowadays to find young people be committed to take care of aging persons. We are committed in improving the lives of our grandparents. We visited the far-flung areas were grandparents are living in abject poverty,” Serolong said.

North West province first lady, Kule Mahumapelo shared the same sentiments. Mahumapelo said they met with Serolong and now they are working together.

“Serolong is dedicated human being in assisting the youths. She has a food garden in Manyeledi village in Ganyesa and employed many people. She also offered bursaries to underprivileged children.  We need to take a stand and encourage the youths to make progress with their lives.

“We also visited Zambia few months ago with her. We were touched how life turned out to be for youths and women in that country. So we will be going back in November to donate clothes. We are also working together in building an old age home at Moretele local municipality,” Mahumapelo said.

Thato Marope who is a bursary scheme beneficiary said he is studying Mathematics at Rhodes University. Marope said Serolong played a pivotal role in his life.

“I am an orphan and having people like Lesego Serolong and Kule Mahumapelo is breath-taking. I highly-appreciate the opportunity and believe that many people will also benefit from this project. I want to assist in bringing opportunities to other disadvantaged communities. I need to take part in promoting development at schools.

Another beneficiary, Qoliswa Mgwabe said: “I also encourage the matriculants to apply to various institutions and I assist them with career guidance. We have introduced tutoring and mentorship programs at few schools to assist other during recession.”

Moretele chief, Kgosi Jacob Mathibe lauded the initiative. Mathibe added that many youths were embedded with many form of abuse.

“We have challenges where youths engaged in crime, alcohol and drug abuse. We need to make sure that we fight that. They need to be taught how to change the lives for the better,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com