'Men in the Making' initiative produces BCom Accounting graduates

Since its inception in 2009, the initiative has benefited 6,000 male learners to date. Dr Shermain Mannah, Director of Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, announced, "This is a very significant programme for us. The Minister of Basic Education has been very clear in the past six years that men and boys are an extremely important stream for us to focus on. Yes, girls are still at risk, but we also need to address some of the significant challenges that face young men.

School survival

"Our boys have been dropping out and there is a significant challenge around the retention of young men from Grade 9. It is programmes like these that ensure that 'school survival' of young boys is promoted so they can become successes in their own lives."

Leeto Thabana plans to remain a success story for other boys, "My short-term goal is that this year I am doing my BCTA, a bridging certificate in the theory of accounting, hoping to get into CTA next year to qualify as a CA. I want to do a graduate programme at Deloitte or KPMG, after I graduate my Honours next year."

Moving documentaries were shown at a recent 'Men in the Making' event of high school learners who had taken part in the programme, as well as updates on the ongoing success of graduates from previous years. 'Men in the Making' graduates recounted how their experience had literally transformed their lives - some as orphans, others from disadvantaged positions.

One of these is Panyo Lesedi who is born and bred in Johannesburg. "My experience with the 'Men in the Making' campaign started in 2012. We got into it because we were looking for a day off school but it turned out to be such a beautiful initiative. They have supported us through Grade 11 and 12. We went to Metro FM, where they gave us work experience and taught us to seek to become leaders and men of substance in this country, and for that I want to thank them. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be at UJ studying in my second year," he said.

Tracker CEO, Wayne de Nobrega speaking at this year's 'Men in the Making' launch added, "This initiative has grown from 35 to 140 companies and it's phenomenal that we're having such a sustainable and material impact on individuals, showing them a different life, and one that makes a difference to South Africa."