South African Student Wins Global University Award
A commitment to increase access to education for young children in marginalised communities in South Africa has earned Lebo Sekhotla – a third year student at Monash South Africa (MSA) – global recognition for her work.
The Psychology and Management student was awarded the international “Here for Good” award by the Chairman and CEO of Laureate International Universities, Douglas Becker. The ceremony held in Miami, Florida was attended by higher education leaders from around the world and other dignitaries.
Sekhotla developed a motivational program for Grade 9 learners from nearby communities designed to give these learners the life skills, confidence, and career guidance they need to stay in school, apply to university, and contribute to their communities. The school learner programme, “Tomorrow Starts Today,” assists and inspires numerous learners from local community schools while helping with necessary life and computer skills to equip them for tertiary education. The programme is carried out at the MSA campus in Roodepoort, outside Johannesburg.
When Sekhotla began the “Tomorrow Starts Today” programme, MSA agreed to provide transportation for Grade 9 learners to come to the campus each Saturday, provide access to classrooms and computers, additional career counselling and a healthy lunch. Close to 100 students have benefited from the initiative to-date.
In addition to the award for her work with local school learners, Sekhotla will also receive support for the “Tomorrow Starts Today” programme, she will receive further support for her post-graduate studies and be appointed a Here for Good Ambassador for South Africa.
There is only one such award annually from hundreds of entries all over the globe; from 90 different universities; she is the first student in Africa to win this award.
