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Guest Blog: Wonder Woman Monica, Empowering the Youth in the Greater Kruger Communities through Leadership & Skills Development.
Throughout the month of August, our country celebrated and championed the woman of today and the vital role they play in our society. Our guest blogger for August was another 'wonder woman' of our region, Monica Mthabane, who is the Landscape Outreach Coordinator for Conservation South Africa.
Read her story.
Introduction to Conservation South Africa:
Conservation South Africa (CSA), as a local affiliate of Conservation International is committed to helping society to adopt a more sustainable approach to development, one that considers and values nature at every turn and improves human well-being through the conservation of healthy ecosystems. Empowering people through Education, CSA has 11 functional ICT labs at the schools under the Manyeleti and Greenvalley circuit. We believe that if communal rangelands in the Kruger to Canyons biosphere are restored through climate-smart practices, then local green businesses and livelihoods will be supported.
Scouts Programme:
The Scouts Programme changes the lives of children and young adults to assist them to reach their full potential. Leadership abilities, teamwork, self-motivation, commitment, perseverance, environmental education, cultural awareness and strong values are a few of the life skills our members acquire whilst having fun and learning. Positive peer encouragement and outdoor activities all contribute to individuals growing up with the belief that they can and are changing the world in order to leave it a better place than how they found it.
Scouts started at Utah and Dixie to contribute to the education of young people through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Laws, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in the community. Within the pack (cubs 7-11 years) and troop (scouts 11-18 years) we aim to contribute to the education of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of the community. We do this by offering a variety of interesting, fun, challenging activities and camping. As children progress through the different sections of scouting their role, responsibility and adventure levels also increase.
Successes:
Through the Scouts programme, I had the opportunity to travel to Germany for a two-week learning exchange. I had an opportunity to learn how they run their Scouts programme. I have visited several scouts groups in Germany where it helped me develop our programme by using different techniques on the planning and running of the programme. I have also learned to be more creative and it also challenged me to implement proper planning for any activities and select themes for Scouts according to their age group.
Here are some achievements of the Scouts thus far:
- The troop and pack have grown and there is increasing evidence of leadership skills and accountability.
- They are eager to learn.
- They are committed and follow the Scouts’ Law and Promise.
- They take responsibility and have gained self-confidence.
- They know how to plan, write programmes, and run on their own and they respect each other.
- When one of the scouts misbehave, they know how to run a court of honour on their own and give feedback to scout leaders.
- Our Scouts have attended 3 camps yearly and have hosted camps in 2017 and 2019.
- 7 Scout leaders were trained in First Aid in 2017 and 2018.
- 4 scouts doing Mathematics and Physical Science participated in ‘The Link Challenge’ and 2 qualified to be supported by SA Airlink for 3 years.
- 120 scouts have participated in Freshwater initiatives and obtained a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) badge.
Introducing Wonder Woman Monica
Question: Where did you grow up?
MM: I grew up in the community of Hluvukani and being the last born of four (4) children. I was raised by my mother and father, who despite their poor educational background ensured that my siblings and I got educated regardless of life’s challenges. My father was a truck driver, a businessman and a pastor and my mother sold clothes, with the little income they brought in, they made sure we did not go to school on a hungry stomach. My father sadly passed on when I was doing my grade 9 year and my mother and oldest brother ensured that I continued with my studies. My father’s passing hit me so hard which caused me to fail that year, my brother had to drop out from university to run my father’s businesses and get an additional job.
When I was repeating my grade 9 year, I said to myself, yes my father passed on but I still have a life to live, I had to make a choice whether I pull myself up or drop everything. I made a choice to pull myself up and soldier on, I had to make sure I changed my life for the better. I studied harder, made sure whenever I faced challenges that I surround myself with people who wanted the best for me. I limited the number of friends I had because I realized that sometimes certain people and friends are a bad influence. I decided to go back to my roots and focused a lot on my schoolwork, church and assisted in running the family business and that was the best decision I have ever made.
My life changed, I passed my grade 12 and pursued my education where I obtained my Diploma in Management. I am currently working for Conservation South Africa as Landscape Outreach Coordinator.
Question: Your inspirations or goals as a young girl?
MM: I have never limited myself and try new things that challenge myself. I have been a girl who never stayed in my comfort zone, and being able to do things no one ever thought I would do. I always wanted to be educated and to be an independent woman. I have always set my goals not to be better than anyone but to rather be better than I used to be.
Question: Any influential woman in your life?
MM: My sister, Khensani Mthabine. She always had faith in me that I will do better and her love and support had a good influence on my life.
Question: How do you feel being a woman in today’s world?
MM: Even if I was given the choice to choose my gender, I would always be a woman, being a woman in today’s world is a reminder of how strong, inspirational and phenomenal women are. I think all women should feel appreciated as we play a great role in society even with the inequalities we face each day. We still stand strong and need to be unapologetic about it. As women, we must celebrate women’s month every day of our lives.
Question: Name one thing that makes you proud to be a woman.
MM: The volume of my thoughts and expression is louder than ever. I have the freedom to use the power of my mind, and my heart and actions in impacting individuals in my communities these past years. I am proud to be a female today because we are fearless.
Question: What would you like to see a change in for the future of young women in South Africa?
MM: I would like to see many girls overcome peer pressure, be educated and enjoy being young despite their family background, I understand a lot of young girls go through so many challenges during their youth and get involved in situations they never thought will affect their future/youth but it is never too late to pick yourself up and to set goals that will change your life for the better. It is never too late to be the best version of yourself, is never late to live your life the best way you can be. It is possible and it is do-able regardless.
Words of Wisdom from Wonder Woman Monica
MM: Never stop dreaming big because dreams do come true, growing up I set up so many dreams, when I look back I am surprised to see how much I have managed to overcome and how many of my dreams I have reached. Do not limit yourself due to your background situation, each and every person has their own potential, anything is possible as long you work hard and never doubt your capabilities.
“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations”
