By Nkhensani Mthombeni
• The Noble Woman organisation has launched a free three month leadership academy for girls aged 13 to 18 in Tzaneen.
• Founder S’phelele Moshobane says many talented girls have big dreams but lack the confidence, leadership skills and guidance to reach their full potential.
A Limpopo teacher wants to help young girls believe in themselves before life knocks their confidence.
S’phelele Moshobane, founder of the Noble Woman organisation, is launching a free leadership academy for girls between the ages of 13 and 18.
The three month programme aims to teach leadership, confidence, communication and life skills to girls from across the Greater Tzaneen area.
Moshobane said she started the academy after seeing many talented girls who did well at school and in sport but struggled with self confidence and leadership.
She said many young people have dreams but do not always believe they can achieve them.
“I kept meeting brilliant, talented young girls with huge potential but very few opportunities to build confidence, discover their purpose or understand true leadership,” she said.
“Many had dreams but little guidance and voices they did not always believe deserved to be heard.”
Drawing on her experience as a high school teacher and organiser of youth boot camps, Moshobane designed the programme to prepare girls for the challenges they will face in life.
She believes leadership is not about age or having a powerful position.
Instead, she says it is about character, courage, influence and making good decisions every day.
Moshobane said schools often focus on academic results but do not always teach young people the personal skills they need to succeed in life.
She hopes the academy will help girls become confident, purpose driven young women who can lead in their homes, schools and communities.
“My vision is simple. If we intentionally raise strong, wise and purpose driven girls today, we will not have to fix broken women tomorrow,” she said.
Moshobane has received national recognition for her work.
She has been named one of the Mail and Guardian’s 50 Most Powerful Women, featured among The Feature Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Women and was also a Mrs South Africa semi finalist.
She is also planning a youth summit later this month that will bring together girls and boys from the Greater Tzaneen and Greater Letaba municipalities.
The event will welcome young people from different church denominations and encourage them to build their lives on faith, leadership and positive values.
Applications for the first group of girls opened on 1 August in Tzaneen.
The programme is free.
Girls who want to join can register by calling or sending a WhatsApp to 079 571 0631 or by emailing [email protected].
Moshobane hopes the academy will inspire a new generation of confident young women who are ready to lead, serve their communities and create a better future.
Pictured above: S’phelele Moshobane has launched a free leadership academy to help teenage girls build confidence, leadership skills and purpose.
Image source: Supplied.
