Kgontse Manuel

Nominee's Province:
Gauteng

Age:
31

Project Name/Description:
Lefatshe la Metsi Educational Centre

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/kgontse.gibundaa

Kgontse Manuel founded and runs the Lefatshe La Metsi Educational Centre in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, which is making a mark in the education sphere. It all began a few years back when she was an intern at the Ekurhuleni Municipality after completing a Diploma in Logistics and Supply. One day she noticed that her grade 2 nephew was struggling with his studies and decided to help. Then another woman also reported that her children were also not coping with their studies. Armed with determination and a mere R1 800, Manuel kick-started her educational project, buying three square tables, a few chairs, and educational charts that she put in a garage at her house. That was a month before Covid-19 struck and she was forced to do house calls for the kids. Now the centre boasts 47 children, three more teachers, and three classrooms. They help the learners with extra lessons, homework, and assignments, while foundation phase learners are helped to master the fundamentals of reading and writing. “We also deserve better as black people. That is why we established this affordable centre and I do not see myself doing anything else,” says Manuel, a second-year Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase student at the University of South Africa (Unisa).