Two Mitchell’s Plain high school pupils were recognised and celebrated for their leadership and service when they received Mayor’s Civic Pride Awards.
Pupils Odwa Angela Lahle, from AZ Berman High School, in Tafelsig, and Cassidy Baatjies, from Portland High School, each received certificates and cheques of R2 000 earlier this month.
Each of their school’s management had nominated them for having made a concerted effort to demonstrate or build civic pride either at school, in their neighbourhood or in the municipality.
According to the school’s nomination motivation, Grade 11 pupil Odwa, who has been at the school for almost two years, had made an impression by serving on the representative council for learners (RCL) and on the school governing body (SGB).
She is doing well academically and had set a good example to her peers in class and on the school premises.
She is saving the money for her twin brother and sister, who are five years old.
Odwa said the award has inspired her to continue doing what she has been doing at the school with its anti-bullying campaign and wants to build on better serving serving her school.
“Having been bullied, I want to help my peers and stop the bullies from having the upper hand.
“I want them to understand that everyone should be respected even them. So, they should respect themselves by doing the right thing,” she said.
Odwa plays club soccer for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Resilient and Victorious United Women’s Football Club, in Khayelitsha.
“Odwa is a role model to other learners as far as her attitude, dress, dedication, manners, work ethic and achievements are concerned.
“Truly a jewel to teach and to our school,” read principal Kevin Voges’s letter.
He told the Plainsman on Tuesday October 23 that he was extremely proud of Odwa, who had been recognised by the mayor.
“Somebody in our community, which does well for the morale of our learners and being recognised for it.
“Be your best everyday. You never know when and who is watching or knows you,” he said.
Cassidy has been a member of RCL for the past three years and a classroom monitor for the past two years. She has represented the pupils on the SGB and is a prefect.
She is a member of the debate club, the Peer Society, a youth ambassador within the organisation called Justice Desk and is on the Junior City Council programme.
Principal Ridwaan Williams wrote in her nomination motivational letter that she has proved to be a hard worker and fairs well in leadership positions.
“We believe that she is worthy of and deserves this award,” he said.
Her mom Marelise said Mitchell’s Plain was just like any other area.
“It is the people who make it bad. She has always been a introvert which has seen her not go out and she enjoys reading books,” she said.
She said as a single parent she has had the support of her mother and sister in raising two daughters.
“It is difficult and it has been a bumpy road but we have been blessed,” she said.
Cassidy thanked her support system, including her school community like her teachers, who have become her role model.
“They have shown me what true leadership is,” she said.
Cassidy said that she has been bullied and that she wanted to remind her peers that bullies cannot hold them back.
“It is has not been easy but it is definitely worth it. I have learned to brush it off and move forward,” she said.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis did not attend the hand-overs but sent representatives from the local Sub-council and his office.
