Sicelumusa Praisegod Shongwe

Nominee's Province:
Kwazulu-natal

Age:
31

Project Name/Description:
Distributes education information in his community

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/mntimande

For Sicelumusa Praisegod Shongwe knowledge is power. After years of observing young people with potential choose wrong career paths due to inadequate information, in 2005 Shongwe, who hails from Paulpietersburg, KwaZulu-Natal, established Tholakele Edu-Career Expo to provide crucial information to youngsters about market-related careers. This was followed in 2006 and 2007 by éDumbe Science Festival, which brought together institutions such as Unisa, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the South African Astronomical Observatory, and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. The objective of the festival was to see more than 50 learners get accepted at tertiary institutions as well as spread information about various career paths. Shongwe, who grew up in the poverty-stricken village of eDumbe, is determined to help his community get empowered through education and knowledge. “If we could have a youth hub where young people can access information without having to pay, and a bursary scheme for learners from eDumbe, that would be a dream come true,” he says. In February this year he hosted the Matric Excellence Awards and is currently organising the first Annual Career eDumbe Career Awareness Outreach, with the support of four ward councillors from neighbouring communities.