Youth mentorship inspires hope for a brighter, educated South Africa

AS SOUTH Africa joins the global Lights On After School (LOAS) campaign for the sixth year, the spotlight isn’t just on the programmes, it’s on the unsung heroes behind them. This year, the focus shifts to the “hidden educators,’ the mentors, guides and after-school practitioners quietly shaping young lives long after the final school bell rings.

- STAFF REPORTER

MONTANA Drama Club after school programme in action.

Run largely by nonprofit organisations serving learners in quintile one to three schools (low to no fee-paying schools), these community-based initiatives provide a range of services ~ from academic tutoring and psycho-social support to humanitarian relief ~ helping to close the gap in unequal learning outcomes.

From sports coaches and arts facilitators to literacy tutors and coding instructors, mentorship lies at the heart of after-school programmes. The dedication of these individuals turns classrooms and community halls into safe spaces where children can explore their potential and build confidence.

“Mentors are often the missing link between what is taught in school and what's needed to navigate the real world. Many of the young people we work with don't always have strong support systems at home, and a mentor steps in to fulfil this gap. They open doors to networks, opportunities, and soft skills that learners may never have been exposed to otherwise,’ explains Charlene Petersen Voss, executive director at The Learning Trust.