SA student wins youth empowerment award

Tim Daniels, CEO of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Laureate International Universities, CEO of Monash South Africa Esther Benjamin, Lebo Sekhotla and Chairman and Douglas Becker, CEO of Laureate International Universities.

Tim Daniels, CEO of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Laureate International Universities, CEO of Monash South Africa Esther Benjamin, Lebo Sekhotla and Chairman and Douglas Becker, CEO of Laureate International Universities.

Published Jun 11, 2015

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A third year student from Monash South Africa (MSA) received the international ‘Here for Good’ Award for youth empowerment work at a gala dinner in the US.

Lebo Sekhotla, received her award in Miami, Florida this week at a dinner attended by higher education leaders and dignitaries including American political scientist and diplomat Condoleezza Rice.

Sekhotla is the first African to win the annual award out of hundreds of entries from 90 universities across the world.

Chairman and CEO of Laureate International Universities, Douglas Becker handed over the award to the psychology and management student.

“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,” MSA said in a statement.

“She is the first South African student to secure this recognition.”

Sekhotla developed a motivational program for Grade 9 pupils to give them the lifeskills, confidence, and career guidance they need to stay in school, apply for university, and contribute to their communities.

The third year student comes from a challenging background that included frequent moves and financial difficulties. After completing her matric, Sekhotla did not qualify for tertiary education.

She joined a community organisation, where she regained confidence, acquired computer skills and even became an instructor herself.

“It was the first time I realised I could make a difference,” Sekhotla said.

She applied to study at MSA and was accepted as a bursary student within the Foundation Programme. In her first year she volunteered with the campus-sponsored Saturday School tutoring program for local township youth before she was elected by fellow students as Community Outreach Officer for the Student Association, overseeing over 800 student volunteers on campus in her second year.

“I’ve seen how my own experience has impacted my sisters and my cousins and how much more motivated they are to continue their studies. It’s made me realise that if you educate one person, you educate the whole family, and the whole community becomes transformed,” Sekhotla said.

MSA chief executive Esther Benjamin said they were proud of Sekhotla and the work she did with her fellow students

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