Tando Warona Staanop
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
19
Project Name/Description:
Founder: Tando Staanop Legacy Foundation
Warona Staanop is currently a student at Nelson Mandela University in the Eastern Cape, where he is in his second year of studying Computer Science. He also serves as a mentor, a debate coach in his residence, and an assistant lecturer in the Department of Computer Science. In 2021, he founded the Tando Staanop Legacy Foundation and the Order of Excellency Awards to promote literacy and creative writing skills among learners. “My project was inspired by my own experiences participating in national school competitions, including the National Schools Moot Court Competition, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History Competition, and the Sowetan Quiz, where I did well and gained confidence. I wanted to create a platform for learners to showcase their talents and compete with their peers,” explains Staanop. In addition to his literacy and creative writing initiatives, Staanop has also launched two other important projects: the Pads Drive and the Donate a School Shoe initiative. The former supports young girls who cannot afford sanitary products, while the latter provides school shoes to learners in need. “We believe that every girl deserves access to basic necessities, and that every child should go to school with dignity.” According to Staanop, they have ambitious plans for the foundation. These include expanding the project to more schools and developing a comprehensive mentorship programme that pairs learners with experienced professionals and educators. He also hopes to establish a network of community-based learning centres to provide access to resources and support for learners who need it most.
