Members of the Hout Bay Men’s Shed spoke to Hangberg High School matrics last week, offering them help with their future career paths.
Men’s Sheds, part of a global movement, are non-profit organisations that offer support to retired and semi-retired men and a chance for them to give back to their communities (“Men Shed aims to make a difference”, Sentinel, May 9).
The Men’s Shed members, Richard Butterfield and Kobus Stander, spoke to the matrics, on Thursday May 4, about some of the options that will open up for them after they leave school.
“We told them that we can help and advise on issues such as career, job, hobbies, financial guidance, entrepreneurship and starting a business,” said Mr Butterfield.
The men spoke about their life experiences, which they said had not been easy as they had come from poorer backgrounds and had worked hard to be where they were now, living in good homes in Hout Bay.
“They were receptive, and we asked that if any wanted our mentoring to contact their teacher who would pass this on to us and we could allocate a resource – unless the pupil specifically requested someone,” said Mr Stander.
Mr Butterfield said he had underscored for the pupils the words of Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi, which hang on a wall in the school’s reception: “I’ve learned that no matter where you come from, or what your background is, you can aspire to be whatever you want to be.”
Matric teacher Andre Sampie told the pupils that they should not expect hand-outs when they left school as it took hard work, sacrifice and aptitude to get through life.
Matric pupil Emmanuel Nkhata said the talk had been inspiring.
“I like people, problem-solving, have good communication skills and if I improve in class, maybe I can get a scholarship and study psychology,” he said.
“I looked into the eyes of these men and knew there was something different about them; that they are really concerned about the people in this community. My dad passed away so they will help me and listen and tell me because they have experience.”
Another matric pupil, Fortune “Tiny” Zingwangwa, enjoys writing poetry and hopes to be a journalist one day. She works at a fish-and-chips shop at weekends and uses most of what she earns to buy stationery and other school supplies; the rest she saves.
“My boss is so kind and paid for the matric jacket for me,” she said.
Tiny said she realised that not all matriculants got into university and achieved a degree. “We all need to know how to survive, and with the help of these mentors, we can learn from them, and I’m sure I will go far with their help.”
Matric pupil Luke Chese said: “It’s attitude and a winning mentality that will get me further. These men put in the work, and now we can see how they have grown.”
