Lebo Sekhotla wins international university award, first African to do so

Monash South Africa student shows the world Ubuntu. From L - R: Tim Daniels, CEO, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Laureate International Universities; Esther Benjamin, CEO Monash South Africa; Sekhotla; and Douglas.

Sekhotla, a third year Psychology and Management student at Monash South Africa (MSA), earned the award for her commitment to increase access to education for young children in marginalised communities in South Africa.

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

Sekhotla developed a motivational programme 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.

Understands the challenges

A challenging background, which included frequent moves and financial difficulties, did not deter Sekhotla from her commitment to drive change. Forced to relocate to a local settlement at 17, she completed her matric at Cosmo City Secondary School, but was unable to qualify for tertiary education. Through a local pastor and his wife, she joined a community organisation, where she regained confidence, learned computer skills and even became an instructor herself.

"It was the first time I realised I could make a difference," Sekhotla recalls. Determined to further her education, she applied to MSA in 2011, was accepted as a bursary student within the Foundation Programme and commenced her degree the following year.

During her first year at MSA, she volunteered with the campus-sponsored Saturday School tutoring program for local township youth, becoming the community liaison officer for the local area representing the campus. Recognised as a strong leader, in her second year she was elected by fellow students as Community Outreach Officer for the Student Association, overseeing over 800 student volunteers on campus. The modest stipend she was paid, in addition to her bursary, allowed her to be self-sufficient and help support her family.

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.

Education can break poverty cycle

Sekhotla believes education empowers and can break the cycle of poverty. "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."

Esther Benjamin, CEO of Monash South Africa is pleased that this honour was bestowed on a Monash South Africa student, "We are so proud of Lebo and the work she and her fellow students commit to each week, in order to inspire the youth in our local community. Community engagement is very much a part of our DNA, we see it as a vital part of the educational and student experience on our campus - to connect and engage our students with the communities around us. Nearly a third of our students participate in some form of volunteerism. Last year alone, over 650 students completed 15,000 hours of tutoring, benefitting students in 50 schools.

"These volunteer programmes offer students great learning and growth opportunities and allow students to develop as leaders by experiencing leadership roles on the ground and develop life skills themselves; from project management to financial and time management. Through both academic and additional hands-on learning pursuits we are ensured of strong graduate outcomes."