Sego Sa Lesedi

As a first year student, I had not experienced having a mentor, so when Mathibele introduced the idea of joining Sego Sa Lesedi and getting a mentor who would help me throughout my varsity career -I was more than willing to be part of the initiative/ program. The students in the program were assigned a mentor based on the path they intended on following within the science faculty. I was privileged to have Mathibele as my mentor. 

Over the years my mentor has been invested in my development at all points of my life. As I embarked on my varsity journey, I was introduced to different ways of learning which were troublesome for me. However, my mentor assisted me in adapting to the environment, he provided resources that would help me gain a thorough understanding of the content covered in lectures. This helped me understand how to approach questions in tests and examinations. He helped me in searching and applying for bursaries for my academic career and always encouraged me to further my studies by pursuing postgraduate qualifications and seeking better opportunities for myself. 

My mentor has equally been invested in the progression and enhancement of my professional career. We have had discussions about career paths that I could venture into as well as behavioural advice for the workplace. Mathibele and I had several interview practice sessions prior to my interviews where preparation thereof enabled me to secure employment. 

Sego Sa Lesedi is a remarkable initiative that has reliable and proactive mentors who are willing to share their experience and knowledge to help young individuals succeed and be the best version of themselves. They allow students to be themselves and learn while helping them along their way to success. I am honoured to be elected as a mentee of Sego Sa Lesedi , my experience has been blissful and I am inspired to do the same for the next generation.

My name is Phelokazi Mhlamvu. I am a Mathematical Science Honours candidate at Wits University. I am a recent graduate at Wits University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Computational and Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics. I joined the Sego Sa Lesedi mentorship programme in 2017. 

The mentorship under Sego Sa Lesedi really helped me to be acquainted with the new university environment. There are activities we did outside academics, where I was introduced to other mentors and mentees who were in the same career path as me. This made me more comfortable, helped in boosting my confidence, and  exposed me to a wide range of opportunities. 

Most importantly, not only did I have a mentor but I had a family and it fostered in me a community of people which I could always turn to for information and for advice in order for me to navigate my academic and career path. 

Right now as I am doing my Honours, I am grateful for the people who have played their part in helping me acquire my undergraduate degree and I know that there is still more to come.

Sego Sa Lesedi Mentorship has been with me throughout my life as a student at Wits University and I can’t thank them enough. Starting from first year when I knew nothing about coding my mentor gave me guidance and knowledge to kick start my coding skills and I found that very helpful because it is not easy being alone especially as a first year student you need someone to show you the way and that’s what Sego Sa Lesedi Mentorship did for me, I even got a bursary through through their guidance of which I don’t think I could have gotten it if they were not around even now after graduation they’re still with me giving the necessary information that graduates need.

It is a great experience to work with people who are so selfless, smart and thoughtful. Sego sa Lesedi has taught me a lot about extending your hand to those who need help and made me realise that you don’t need money to help people.

Having Dineo Makoko as my mentor has to be one of the most amazing experiences ever. She would take time out of her busy schedule to check up on me. Every year she would ask me about my goals for that year and make me write them down which I thought was something I needed because it made me think about everything that I need to accomplish for the year. So I am forever thankful for her in my life. Not only did I change my career path when I met her but I changed as a person also. I found myself wanting to help anyone in any way possible and that’s the kind of an impact she had in my life.