Head Girl 2024. Like in previous years, Schools That Rock interview Head Leaders of High Schools in South Africa. Today we chat with Koketso Wanda Mtimkulu, Head Girl 2024 from Curro Academy Riverside in Fourways, Gauteng.
Koketso, tell us more about yourself and your leadership.
- I am Koketso Wanda Mtimkulu. What makes me firstly and most importantly is God and my love for him. Secondly my values, and these includes kindness, hard work, a spirit of excellence in absolutely everything I do and joyfulness. These values greatly affect my leadership style.
What are your personal goals for next year?
- My personal goals for next year are to enroll into one of the best universities (such as UCT and WITS) and to grow as a person mentally, emotionally, socially, physically and just all aspects of my life.
Tell us more about your goals for Curro Academy Riverside for your term of service?
- My vision, as Head Girl 2024, for Curro Academy Riverside is rooted in collaboration, innovation as well as collective commitment to excellence. More importantly, the key areas being: promoting inclusivity, student engagement, academic support, open communication, community outreach as well as offering the school my time and effort. It is an honor being able to be part of the community/team that is shaping the school which shaped me as a person.
What were the biggest challenges you experienced as a learner of Curro Academy Riverside?
- For the most part I did not experience much challenging situations as I would always try my best to look on the bright side. However, I did experience a problem/challenge or two. Most of my challenges were present in my first year of high school at this school. I struggled to fit in and felt constantly excluded, mostly because I did not know how to speak my/ their home language. Another challenge I faced was feeling like I was constantly not doing enough. I sometimes struggled with these thoughts, even now.
Tell us what stands out most to you at Curro Academy Riverside?
What stands out most to me at Curro Academy Riverside is our lack of hostility. We are a smaller school, which creates a sense of closeness as well as familiarity which now makes newcomers feel at home and live they belong.
Who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?
- I look up to TD Jakes, the pastor. Growing up my family and I would always watch his sermons on TV. Anytime I needed a pep talk or just some words of encouragement and advice I would listen to his sermons. As I watched and heard him preach, I realized a few things about him that I admire and desire to be one day. He is one of the strongest believers of Christ. He is also a good public speaker as well as a person with morals, values and integrity.
Koketso, you’re a kitchen article? What are you and why?
- I would be a knife. The reason being, I love to do everything with precision and spirit of excellence. Still keeping in mind that even knives become dull at times after having chopped everything in their whole lives. That is why it is very important to be around people who will challenge you to become better as they say, “Iron sharpens iron”.
How would your friends describe you?
- My friends would describe me as funny, bubbly and oddly optimistic, even when situations aren’t the best. (Always smiling).
What motivates you to achieve your goals?
- What motivates me to achieve my goals are my values that I have adapted from the word of God. Making my parents proud and becoming a strong, independent successful woman also motivates me.
Why would you advise learners to also become part of Curro Academy Riverside?
- Our school is not too large. This allows more attention to be given to each learner. Our school learners are not hostile, but welcoming.
Who is your favourite teacher and why?
- My favorite teacher is Mr Makaneta. Reason being that he is a thoughtful and caring person. When I was in Grade 10, I remember him stopping me in my tracks just to ask how I was doing and what my interests were. He patiently listened to me, and that stood out for me at that time, especially considering the fact that no other teacher had done such. Every time I have a conversation with Mr Makaneta I gain something new (not to say that I don’t with the rest of my educators). I also admire his passion for writing.
Koketso, what are your future goals?
- My future goals are to succeed, be happy, make my parents proud, make the school better place to grow as a person- woman-girl-child of God.
More school news: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za
Photo supplied