Welcome to the SOS Africa Charity Alumni page where we will post regular news, updates and success stories covering the progress made by the first sponsored children to graduate from the charity’s education programmes in Mafikeng and the Western Cape, South Africa…
21 years on from the sponsorship of the very first SOS Africa child, each year we celebrate the success stories of more SOS Africa graduates as our sponsored children ‘fly the nest’ and head on to further education or embark on exciting new careers. The vision of the charity’s founders has always been to ensure that children from disadvantaged communities have the opportunity to pursue their ambitions and achieve their dreams and are not hampered by financial hardship. We are extremely proud of our graduates and cannot wait to share news of their endeavours here.
Mavis Madie (Graduated 2016)
Mavis was the first girl to enrol onto SOS Africa’s Mafikeng Education Programme back in 2004. Throughout her school career she worked hard, was admired by her teachers and classmates and was adored by the younger children on our programme. Following her High School graduation in 2016, Mavis become a regional volunteer for a political organization where she served as the branch secretary in her community for two years. In 2018 she was promoted to Junior Administrator and ran the administration of the party at a regional level.
In 2018 Mavis furthered her education by studying Economic and Management Science degree which she is due to complete in 2023. In 2021 she also founded a company called Mmasechaba Consultants which she runs with her husband. The company assists businesses with public relations and marketing strategies.
“It has been a privilege to follow Mavis’s progress from her very first day at school in 2004 right through to her High School graduation in 2017 and now throughout the early stages of her exciting career. Mavis deserves every success; she is a wonderful role model to the many SOS Africa children now following closely in her footsteps.” SOS Africa CEO/Founder, Matt Crowcombe
Olebogeng Tshele (Graduated 2018)
Always determined to reach his goals, after graduating from Mafikeng High School in December 2018 Olebogeng embarked on a bridging course to upgrade his Matric results to enable him to apply for university. In 2020 he began a degree in Organisational Psychology and become the first SOS Africa child to graduate from University in January 2023 with distinctions in many subjects.
Right from the very start, Olebogeng’s education was fully funded by his 85-year-old Canadian sponsor Marilyn, who stills follows his progress with great interest. She is extremely proud of his accomplishments and has loved being part of his journey through education:
“My family and I are so fortunate to have been a part of Olebogeng’s journey for so many years… a gift to us all! We are so proud of everything he has achieved. The photo taken of him in Grade 3 still takes pride of place on my fridge.” Olebogeng’s Sponsor Marilyn.
Olebogeng’s hard-earned and well-deserved degree will enable him to apply for human resources roles in most workplaces. He loves meeting and working with people from different backgrounds and cultures and cannot wait to get started. When asked about the future, he says that he is most grateful that education has brought him independence.
Obu & Othu Molokele (Graduated 2019)
Obu and Othu AKA “The Twins” became a huge part of SOS Africa’s Mafikeng family ever since they first joined the programme in 2007. Inseparable for much of their school years, these cheeky boys kept Jenny and her team on their toes and all of us entertained. From the moment we first met this charismatic duo, we knew that they had the potential to go far and as they progressed through the latter stages of high school, they did not disappoint.
After matriculation in 2019, Othu was accepted onto a Bachelors Degree Course at the University of North-West in Computer Science and Mathematics. There he has thrived, achieving distinctions in many of his modules. During the afternoons Othu returns to SOS Africa’s Mafikeng Aftercare Centre where he tutors the charity’s current high school children:
“I’m currently doing my 3rd year at the university and I’m loving every moment of it. When I graduate, I would like to branch into the field of computer science and probably become a programmer for games or software systems.”
After graduating from high school, Obu travelled further afield to Gauteng where he started a degree in Biological and Agricultural Science at University of Pretoria. Like his brother, Obu took to university life like a duck to water and also achieved top grades in many of his modules. Now in his final year, Obu hopes to pursue a career in Bioengineering when he graduates at the end of this year:
“After my degree, I intend to find a good job and build a good career for myself that’ll secure me and my loved ones, especially my grandmother who made every effort to raise both me and my twin brother; I owe her a more luxurious life.”
Kgalalelo Majola (Graduated 2019)
Kgalalelo joined SOS Africa’s Mafikeng Education Programme alongside Obu and Othu in January 2007. The epitome of calm, Kgalalelo quietly got on with her studies, always with a smile on her face. She was a popular member of our Mafikeng family and was a great role model for the younger children as she progressed through her schooling.
Kgalalelo graduated in 2019 and after gaining work experience began a Diploma in Early Childhood Development. When she completes her course, she intends to start a PGCE which will enable her to become a Foundation Phase Teacher. Kgalalelo is passionate about helping children and we wish her all the very best with her exciting new career.
Andrew Koch (Graduated 2021)
Andrew joined SOS Africa’s Grabouw Education Programme in January 2015 alongside his sister Kay-Leigh. Always a popular member of the group, Andrew loved every minute that he spent at our Aftercare Centre with our staff and kids. Even though he was older than the other children he loved getting involved with all the after-school activities and was very protective of the younger children.
From a very early age it was clear that Andrew was equipped with a practical skillset and felt more comfortable in a workshop setting than in the classroom, spending much of his free time helping out with his uncle’s welding business. Consequently, in January 2019 Andrew became the first SOS Africa children to enrol at a Trade Skills School. At Westcliffe School of Skills, he received an education which balanced academics with learning invaluable trade skills including his favourite of all, welding.
After his graduation in 2021, Andrew began an internship at metal working company TFD Manufacturing. At TFD he will be trained in a whole host of manufacturing processes and has already been tutored in boiler making and fitting, welding preparation, tacking and cleaning. If the internship goes well, it is likely that Andrew will be employed full-time by May 2023.
Find out how you can sponsor a child through in South Africa and help them follow closely in the footsteps of SOS Africa Alumni and Graduates.
