Pretoria - Tax ombudsman Judge Bernard Ngoepe and the chief executive in his office, advocate Eric Mkhawane, challenged 15 young girls from Pretoria yesterday to work extra hard if they are to qualify for a “personal sponsorship”.
The personal sponsorship, funded by Mkhawane “out of his own pocket”, will be awarded to a girl who performs exceptionally well.
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The best academic achiever will be given the opportunity to study further in a selected field ranging from finance, taxation, auditing and accounting to communications.
“This is not a bursary or a normal sponsorship; it is a contribution I will make to one of the best performing pupils out of the 15 we have chosen,” said the advocate.
As part of giving back to the community, Mkhawane and senior management at the office of the ombud are committed to empowering young girls from different schools across Pretoria.
This is in conjunction with the Cell C Take A Girl Child To Work initiative which also aims to empower young girls.
Addressing the girls, Judge Ngoepe spoke about the importance of time management and staying focused.
“Life is regulated by time frames and you will never succeed in life unless you respect time, and you must understand the concept of time,” he said.
He was talking to the pupils not as a tax ombudsman or as a judge, but as a concerned grandfather, Judge Ngoepe added.
“My purpose is to inspire and encourage young girls that if they are dedicated and focused, they can achieve anything. It is really important for me to see these young women progress in life.”
Khotatso Tshabalala, 17, from Hoërskool FH Odendaal in Derdepoort, Pretoria, who is also an ambassador for the Cell C Take A Girl Child To Work initiative, said she had learnt from the judge how essential time is.
“I have learnt a lot from the judge today, more especially that we as young women must be educated and shape our lives towards the right directions,” she said.
A team of senior management at the office of the ombud declared that they would be committed to coaching and mentoring the pupils throughout the year.
“We will be going out to their schools to mentor them. During holidays we will invite them to the office to expose them to different departments in the organisation,” said Pearl Seopela, senior manager for communications in the office of the tax ombud.
“It is nice to get words of encouragement from educated people,” said Thobile Mahlangu, 17, from Stanza Bopape Secondary school in Mamelodi East.
“I took this day very seriously because the organisers believe that young women must be empowered.
“I also learnt that when I get to university, I must use my freedom very wisely and carefully.”
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