Fons Luminis Secondary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, was a hive of activity when scores of professionals and entrepreneurs shared their insights and professional advice as part of the Education Uplifting Ikasi Career and Entrepreneurship Expo organised through a partnership with 21st Century Foundation and other stakeholders on Saturday.
The event gathered a strong line-up of film and TV producer, including Tebogo Malope, his musician wife Lerato Malope, renowned legal eagle and author Bulelwa Mabasa, Bright Star Academy CEO Simangaliso Mashiloane, fashion guru Itumeleng Kwele and Mandy Kgobe and musical performances from drummer, Nathi Mbiji.
Reflecting on his career as a film producer who has worked with luminaries such as Barack Obama, Jay Z, J Cole and Siya Kolisi, Tebogo urged learners to believe in their dreams and use them to reach their greatest potential.
“Nothing is impossible if you believe in your dreams. You you can come from whatever background but do not let anybody tell you, you can’t do it. I was like most of you here born at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and we all grew up in a 4-room houses, yet I have been able to work and shoot big productions and worked with the likes of Obama, Jay Z, J Cole and Siya Kolisi. So, it is true that nothing is impossible, if you focus, work hard and believe in your dreams,” he said.
Lerato, who uses her musical talent as a creative director and producer to produce music for television and film productions, said it was possible to make money through music.
“It is possible to do bigger and better things through our talent as musicians. I use my talent to write music not only for music fans but for TV productions such as ‘Gomora’. My music is there and I have been able to travel and see the world and meet people through my talent,” she said.
As a human rights lawyer and author, Mabasa who had had the privilege of working with President Cyril Ramaphosa, urged young people to never allow their circumstances to determine their future, saying even though they should be a generation that does not have to deal with the current socio economic conditions they find themselves in, they still have a chance to change the lives in a positive manner.
“You are a generation that should not have had to bear living with no electricity and bad roads but through reading and positive people around you. I want you to love and respect yourself and be able to look at yourself and say you are worthy and beautiful,” she said.
Principal of the school, Livhuwani Sundani, thanked the 21st Century Foundation for helping the school realise its goal of empowering its learners with opportunities.
“I would like to thank the CEO of 21st Century and his entire team for ensuring that through this event we are able to uplift and improve and empower the community through entrepreneurship. I would like to also thank everyone who is here for taking time out to plough back and make the day for our learners.
“Empowering of our young people is important and we need such initiatives to empower our communities not just this school but neighbouring school as the springboard for empowerment,” he said.
The Star
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za