Top 100 Shining Stars Award for UKZN Doctoral Candidate

BY: .

Click here for isiZulu version

UKZN PhD student Mr Luthando Molefe has been named one of the Top 100 South African Shining Stars for 2023 by Inside Education in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency.

The award recognises Molefe’s continued outstanding and extraordinary work in the areas of academic excellence, community outreach and leadership, which he says are the strands he is mostly passionate about.

Inside Education recognises game changers, high professionals and young people who are making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

The young achievers must be South African citizens aged between 18 and 35, who are doing exceptional things in their various fields of expertise.

‘Growing up in a setting that reflected the African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child”, I have been driven by one of the seven roles (as gazetted in the Norms and Standards for Educators 2000) of a teacher, that is a professional who plays a community, citizenship, and pastoral role,’ said Molefe.

‘I have devoted myself to creating a critical space that allows me to work alongside others in not only helping those in need, but also to help them realise their potential in the process and where applicable - it is here where sustainable practices are developed with significant others.’

Molefe said he was grateful to all those who over the years supported his work and all those who made his journey, since its inception, possible, especially the Community Engagement Office in the School of Education.

Molefe is no stranger to excellence, being named as a 2023 recipient of the South African Heroes Awards in the category: Youth Empowerment, for his excellent work in areas of interest.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied