24-YEAR-OLD MAN START IMPACTFUL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MANZINI – A 24-year-old Liswati has made his mark by starting a private
educational programme to assist pupils take extra classes in order to catch up
with the time when COVID-19 forced schools to close for almost a year.
Driven by the passion to help those that did not have digital equipment to
conduct lessons at home, Phila Nhlabatsi decided to conduct extra classes in
ever since schools opened where he teaches the pupils. He conducts the
lessons daily from 6pm to 8pm at Madonsa AEC church.
Having graduated at the AMADI University with a Diploma in Business
Management and Administration, Nhlabatsi has managed to train close to 20
pupils around Madonsa who are now taking extra classes to cover the gap
caused by the pandemic.
Eswatini Positive News team has on Thursday visited Nhlabatsi to witness and
further interview him on his contribution to the education system. Following is
what he said:
EPN team: Good evening Mr Nhlabatsi, can you brief tell us about yourself?
Nhlabatsi: I am a young man of 24 Years born and raised in Madonsa just few
kilometres away from Manzini Town. I currently stay with my parents and two
siblings and I am a born again Christian who is determined in the business of
the Lord. I am also an entrepreneur and have a passion for music.
EPN Team: Can you tell us about your educational Background?
Nhlabatsi: I went to Salesian Primary from 2004 to 2010 and proceeded to
Salesian High School where I completed in 2015.I did my tertiary education at
AMADI UNIVERSITY where I enrolled for a Diploma in Business Management
and Administration.
EPN Team: Before COVID-19 pandemic, what were your plans and what were
you doing?
Nhlabatsi: Before COVID-19 I had planned to study Sound Engineering in one
of the colleges in South Africa but that had to wait as they were no longer
welcoming foreign candidates as it is a practical course. I had also planned to
penetrate the entertainment industry by renting out a PA system locally but because events had to be closed I had to cancel and search for other
enterprises that could keep me busy.
EPN Team: When then did you develop the passion to assist pupils or leaners
take extra classes, adapting to Covid 19?
Nhlabatsi: COVID-19 made me to be aware of what was happening in our
society. I got concerned seeing pupils idle in the streets and some falling for
bad habits. I told myself that I should, as a Christian, do something by using the
skills I have to help the pupils. After government opened schools this year, I
met with my friends and we started what we call an educational program
where we assisted pupils in their studies. We understand that education is still
one of the strongest pillars of a good society so our goal is to help these kids
achieve their goals even during the pandemic.
EPN Team: Who assisted or contributed in order for the programme to start?
Nhlabatsi: I want to thank God@Work Church under Reverend Zachariah
Mthethwa and the church at large for supporting this program.
EPN Team: Apart from the educational programme, what other things are you
busy with?
Nhlabatsi: Personally, I have recently started another business of cooking
beans and pre-packing them and sell them to various supermarkets around the
country. In fact, the feedback am getting from my clients is humbling.
However, I still want to start my sound career soon as possible and I have
already started looking for other alternatives on how I can get the full service
while am at home.
EPN Team: Where do you see yourself in 2025?
Nhlabatsi: That is four years from now, I think by that time I should have
expanded my business meeting the demand we get from our clients and other
community projects where am engaged in.
EPN Team: Tell us more about the education program?
Nhlabatsi: When we started the program our focus was mainly on Grade VII, Form 3
and Form 5.
However, some parents raised concerns about the other grades as their children got
promoted without having done much in the previous class. So we then decided to
introduce Form 1 and 2 plus Grade 6. We are also available to assist other classes
every Saturday from 1700hr to 6.30pm.
EPN Team: How many pupils are currently admitted for the programme?
Nhlabatsi: We have 18 students who are registered formally with the program.
EPN Team: What is your wish regarding the programme?
Nhlabatsi: We want to expand. In Fact, we are at final stages of introducing
computer classes in the program which will be open for everyone in the community.
My dream is seeing this program as an upgrading and examination centre in 5 years.
Impressive work