Unisa online - TAGCTW celebrates 10 years

Prof Narend Baijnath (Pro-Vice-Chancellor) had an interactive session with Dineo Malatji (Kelokitso Comprehensive School) and Onicca Silwana (Chance 2 Advance learning ambassador in Diepsloot), explaining his role at the university. He also spoke to them about the opportunities for women in leadership and they had the chance to be a part of a planning session for a major international conference.

Prof Sunette Pienaar-Steyn encouraged girls to take their destinies into their own hands, to work hard for their futures and ultimately make a resounding success of themselves. She used the motivational speakers as an example of what they could achieve.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Cell C’s Take a Girl Child to Work Day project. With this, Unisa hosted around 100 aspiring young women on 31 May 2012, ready to educate them about working and thriving at a higher learning institution.

By shadowing professionals in their daily occupations, the programme looks to expose young girls to work environments that will empower them. Programme manager for the Institute for Corporate Citizenship, Prof Sunette Pienaar-Steyn, encouraged young girls to make their future’s their own. “The most empowering thing in a woman’s life is that she can make decisions for herself, so, be empowered to make it yourself,” she said.

Learners were also treated to motivational talks by an inspiring Medical Doctor, Judith Matlou and Violet Moraka from the School of Management Sciences, Unisa. Both women recounted the difficulties and hardships they faced in achieving success in their careers. Added to this, the university also facilitated an interactive career guidance session with the Directorate for Counselling and Career Development. Pupils were asked to seriously consider whether their ideologies matched the professions they considered pursuing.

Lerato Songo from Holy Trinity Secondary was impressed by the programme that Unisa had planned. “This was a wonderful course that I enjoyed. The information about the careers was extremely valuable to me.” Smangele Jele from the Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf echoed similar sentiments. “The career guidance has given me hope that I can one day work at an institution like Unisa and there could be an interpreter to assist me in that career.” For the educators who accompanied the students it was also a learning experience. Tom Ledwaba, a life orientation teacher at Kgomotso Comprehensive High, feels his pupils now have insight into independence, freedom of choice and platforms to express themselves.

Dr Judith Matlou (Medical Doctor) recounted her struggle to achieve the success she has today. Dr Matlou highlighted the pros and cons of being a medical professional and that passion was the key decision for her career choice.	Students participated in an interactive career guidance session facilitated by the Directorate for Counseling and Career Development that matched their beliefs and interest to their possible job choices. There was a question and answer session for the young women to discuss what they learnt from the exercise.	Ororiseng Sefolo (Ngaka Maseko High), Lerato Songo (Holy Trinity Secondary), Smangele Jele (Ekurhuleni School for the deaf) and Prudence Makoha (Peletona Secondary)
In the Ekurhuleni region, students were given practical lessons on how to use computers and assisted with the functions of operating systems.	In Limpopo, visiting pupils were shown how different directorates and departments worked while actively participating and getting first-hand experience on how to do particular jobs. Sherly Mashamaite (Librarian) gives Tryphina Sebopela (Makgongoana Secondary School) and Connie Kgatle (Mamabudusha Secondary School), a tour of the library.	Segopotje Leshilo (Learner Support) shows Tebogo Sera (Emjindini Secondary), who wants to become a Businesswoman, how to write a professional e-mail.