Last night 18 national finalists of the inaugural STEP UP LET’S LEAD 2013 National Youth Leader Awards will be recognised and an overall winner will be chosen.
The process leading up to these Awards involved underprivileged high school learners in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12, being bussed to and from cinemas nationwide to watch the STEP UP LET’S LEAD 90 minute film. This film aimed to introduce learners to the fundamentals of leadership and was screened at 15 different cinema complexes nationally during August, September and October this year.
Having watched the movie and having subsequently digested the contents of the comprehensive booklet, learners were encouraged to step up, assume personal and social responsibility to make positive changes for themselves and their communities and to apply to enter the STEP UP LET’S LEAD competition.
Our finalists have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and have implemented them successfully in their respective schools and/or communities. Guided by their values, these individuals have indeed stepped up and lead by assuming personal and social responsibility for making positive changes to themselves and their communities.
It is the 9 boys and 9 girls here tonight from around the country that have shown the strongest leadership skills. Airports Company South AFrica and UBS have generously sponsored all the logistics and travel costs of these 18 finalists and their chaperones that have travelled from all Provinces in South Africa to be with us tonight. Luca von Allmen, Senior Representative of UBS AG Johannesburg states “we are proud to be associated with “STEP UP LET’S LEAD”.
“Airports Company South Africa is delighted to participate as sponsor in the inspirational youth leadership project titled “STEP UP LET’S LEAD”. The need to educate the youth in South Africa on the fundamental nuances of leadership is critically important and our company is privileged to be a part of this initiative. Airports Company South Africa would like to express our warmest congratulations to all the other sponsors for having the vision and courage to support this initiative and we look forward to a sustained relationship with the other youth initiatives facilitated by Primestars Marketing.” states Ndiphiwe Ntuli, Group Specialist: Steakholder Management.
STEP UP LET’S LEAD was made possible by Glencore, as the key sponsor, together with co-sponsors Medscheme; Tiger Brands; merSETA; PUTCO; National Youth Development Agency; DHL, in conjunction with SOS Children’s Villages; Old Mutual and Brand South Africa.
Other sponsors who assisted include VWV; Tsogo Sun; miagi; Standard Bank and recently, both Airports Company South Africa and UBS came on board. The project also acknowledges Brightest Young Minds; Larry Hodes; Simon Mtsuki and Sibusiso Molimi for their assistance in preparing the finalists.
A highly impressive judging panel undertook the difficult task of deciding who from these 18 finalists has excelled in putting in place the most sustainable leadership activities. These individuals will be rewarded not only with the honour and prestige of winning, but also with a tangible prize that will change the course of their own and possibly their family’s lives forever.
We are proud to announce that 18 learners were selected as finalists, these being:
| PROVINCE | LEARNER NAME | SCHOOL NAME |
| Kwazulu Natal | Nompilo Ayanda Shange | Hillview Secondary |
| Kwazulu Natal | Mthokozisi Hlengwa | Zwelibanzi High School |
| Eastern Cape | Sidima Mfeku | E.Z Kabane High School |
| Eastern Cape | Nombulelo Tshitshi | E.Z Kabane High School |
| Free State | Relebohile Mohlathe | Atlehang Senior Secondary |
| Free State | Tshepiso Sekepere | Atlehang Senior Secondary |
| Gauteng | Noluthando Mathe | Lethulwazi Comprehensive |
| Gauteng | Neo Mpete | Liberty College |
| Limpopo | Phuti Mokoti | Seshigo High School |
| Limpopo | Alfrida Mojapelo | Seshigo High School |
| Mpumalanga | Michael Mokwena | Ilanga Secondary |
| Mpumalanga | Gcinile Fakude | Sos Children’s Village |
| North West | Tshiamo Setuke | Bafokeng High School |
| North West | Sibusiso Nkosi | Tswaidi High School |
| Northern Cape | Teboho Mosohli | Vuyolwethu High School |
| Northern Cape | Lelethuthando Mgwebi | Vuyolwethu High School |
| Western Cape | Zuzeka Beverley Goba | Afrika Tikkun Emfuleni |
| Western Cape | Luyolo Khantolo | Intsebenziswano Sec |
| Additional Award | Phemelo Odiro | Liberty College |
The STEP UP LET’S LEAD overall award winner is Noluthando Jenny Mathe for doing the following:
- Teaching Grade 10’s Mathematics and Physical Science because they have difficulties in these subjects.
- Helping in a feeding scheme during breaks at school.
- Teaching children in my community Traditional Dance to keep them safe from dangers in our community.
- Arranging peer groups chats to discuss social challenges we are facing in our community and try to come up with strategies to eradicate them.
Back Row: Goeff Rothschild (JSE), Yershen Pillay (NYDA), Luca von Allmen (UBS), Kim Meszaros (Kelly Group), Nomsa Bengani (Nampak), Bob Mobena (Kaya FM);
2nd Row from back: Naledi Masopha (Raizcorp), Leigh Swartz (SOS Childrens Villages), Karuna Mahon (Afrika Tikkun), Lorraine Mndebele (Medscheme), Totsie Mamela (Edelman);
2nd Row from front: Never Surety (Deputy Minister of Basic Education), Hennie Oosthuizen (USB – ED), Annie Hodes (Angelfish), Ester van der Lined (merSETA), Norma Maswanganye (Putco), Oldane Stols (DHL), DJ S’bu Sibusiso Leope (Slef Foundation), Martin Sweet (Primestars Marketing);
Front Row: Noluthando Mathe (Gauteng), Nompilo Shange (KwaZulu Natal), Zuzeka Goba (Western Cape), Michael Mokwena (Mpumalanga), Phemelo Odira (Gauteng) and Phuti Mokoti (Limpopo).