Founder: Sediba Sa Kitso

In 2009, Tshegofatso Leeuw decided to do something when she discovered that high-school learners in her hometown weren’t thinking about their careers, or even given the tools to choose one. While working as a researcher at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, she committed herself to paying forward the privileges she had enjoyed at school, such as effective career guidance. Initially she recruited friends to volunteer their time to pupils in Pampierstad, Northern Cape, but in 2010 Leeuw formalised her efforts into a non-profit organisation.

Through Sediba Sa Kitso she focuses on opening learners’ minds to the myriad of opportunities available to them, through career guidance, mentorship and work exposure. And even the smallest things, such as helping them to set up an email account or complete bursary applications, are making a big difference. In addition to penning a monthly education column for the local newspaper, Leeuw has a talent for short-story writing, and, evidently, for helping to write brighter futures too.

— Lu Larché

Website: sedibasakitso.org.za