Changeblazers

Clement Ledwaba

BSc Computer Science student at the University of Witwatersrand.

Tell us about your background:
As Randy Pausch once said, “We cannot change the hand we are dealt with, just how we play it”. I am a boy from Mohlakeng (Gauteng, South Africa), a location where the environment has killed many talents. I am proud to say that I am a flower that grew through concrete, and where flowers blossom, there is hope.

What drives you to succeed?
I am where I am today because of the support from my mother, but what inspires me to face and overcome challenges is the life I have in mind for my younger siblings. No matter the hardships, hearing them say “Big brother, we’re looking up to you”, makes it worthwhile.

After passing my matric with six distinctions (As), I became part of the Ninety One Changeblazers programme. Being part of Changeblazers was my first step towards success. The programme is helping me unlock my potential by meeting different people that have greatness within them. This inspires me to push myself further than I would have otherwise. That for me is priceless, hence I can say without a doubt that I'm a Changeblazer for life.

What are your goals?
Not so long ago, I was invited to speak at an awards ceremony hosted by my high school. One of the learners said to me, “I have looked up to you from when I was in primary school”. I smiled because I realised that I was actually inspiring people and changing lives. Inspiring change and becoming a role model for younger kids in communities like Mohlakeng has always been one of my goals. I am happy to see this materialising so soon.

What achievements are you most proud of?
I’ve received a number of awards, including an award for being placed second from schools in my district, and an invitation to join the Golden Key Society in my first year for being in the top 15% in my degree. But all awards considered, I am most proud of being the first learner from my primary school to be named on the school’s ‘Top Achiever for the Year’ board. I feel honoured to have my name engraved somewhere where it will not be forgotten.

Keoratile Segoe

BSc Occupational Therapy student at the University of Cape Town.

Tell us about your background:
I am from Tlhabane West, a township in the North West province of South Africa, and I am a testament to the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”. When my home could not provide the safety and security needed, I was fortunate enough to have other people who offered me the safety and assurance I needed to keep on trying.

What drives you to succeed?
I am motivated by the people that believe in me, and people who are in need. If working hard means that one day I can make a positive contribution in disadvantaged communities, then I will happily push through the tough times.

What are your career aspirations?
Where I went to school and where I lived are two different realities. Most of my friends from home gave up on trying to chase a better life because of what the environment was offering them. The major difference between us was that I had the privilege of choice. At school, I had the choice to engage in extramural activities and acquire skills that afforded me opportunities, and ways to spend my time productively. In contrast, in the area we lived there were no recreational centres and the local schools did not offer extramural activities. I have lost two friends to AIDS, and all I could think of was, if someone had empowered them, if they had opportunities to explore their potential, then maybe they would still be here. So, my life goal is to change the trajectory of young people’s lives in disadvantaged communities. I want to provide opportunities for them to engage in meaningful and purposeful occupations and create a new narrative within townships and rural areas.

What achievements are you most proud of?

• I am a Member of Golden Key Society
• I am an Executive member of Inkanyezi (UCT student-led mentorship programme for marginalised high schools)
• I play the violin for UCT Health Sciences orchestra

Lenox Baloyi

BSc Mathematics of Finance student at University of Witwatersrand.

Lenox hails from Vhembe District in Limpopo and is part of our first cohort of Changeblazers. He is in his third year at the University of Witwatersrand, studying BSc Mathematic of Finance, majoring in computer science and corporate finance and investments. He has a keen interest in the intersection of computer science and investments. Lenox is the first in his family to attend university.

Lenox was part of the team that was announced as national winners of the Centre for High Performance Computing student cluster competition in November. They will be representing South Africa at the international competition hosted at the International Supercomputer Conference in Hamburg, Germany in May/June 2023. Click here to learn more about the competition. Lenox speaks briefly at approximately 2:44 about his project and how he wants to help address the energy challenges in the country.

Lungile ‘Achumile’ Siphofana

Bachelor of Education at University of Johannesburg.

Lungile grew up in a small village in the Eastern Cape near the Lesotho border. She sadly lost both her parents at a very young age and had to move to the Xhora Mouth area to live with her aunt. Losing her mother at the age of 12 completely changed her life, but she has a resilient spirit and committed herself to being the first one in her family to graduate from high school.

Lungile is an extraordinarily diligent and self-disciplined learner. Throughout her student lifetime, she continually topped all of her classes, receiving countless awards. Most notably, she finished first place in Agriculture Studies at the 2022 Amathole East Top Achiever Competition and was on the District Director’s top 30 student list.

This incredible learner achieved 6 distinctions in her final matric exams and will be pursuing a career in teaching at the University of Johannesburg. Her intention is to go back to Bulungula College and teach at the school that she is so grateful to have attended.

Njabulo Mthembu

BCom Accounting at University of Cape Town.

Njabulo Mthembu comes from humble beginnings in Johannesburg where he grew up with his mother, and his siblings. He was fortunate to secure a scholarship from Bokamoso Trust at a young age. This enabled him to attend Jeppe High School for Boys and express his academic and sporting potential. While delivering exceptional academic results through high school, he also achieved Full Colours for Hockey and Half Colours for Soccer.

Njabulo is part of our 2022 Changeblazers cohort and is studying towards becoming a chartered accountant. He remains committed to his academics whilst still embracing what he calls his “immense” love for soccer. And how wonderful it is to see the good work of Bokamoso Trust come through in this way.