South African broadcaster and journalist Clement Manyathela has launched the Clement Manyathela Foundation, an initiative aimed at supporting children in rural communities through career guidance and psychological support.
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As reported by EWN, the foundation is rooted in Manyathela’s own experiences growing up in rural Mpumalanga. He has spoken about the limited opportunities and lack of career guidance he encountered at school — challenges he hopes other young South Africans will not have to face alone.
Creating opportunities beyond the classroom
The initiative plans to work with rural schools to help learners understand the career and study opportunities available to them.
“By empowering these young minds, we strive to create a brighter future for their communities,” states the foundation’s website.
Manyathela says he wants to partner with universities and professionals so that learners can be introduced to different fields and receive practical guidance about their futures. The aim is to help young people make informed decisions about further education and careers, particularly in communities where access to this information can be limited.
The foundation intends to adopt two schools a year, focusing on sustainable support rather than once-off interventions.
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Mental health matters too
Career guidance is only one part of the foundation’s work. Psychological and psychosocial support will also be offered to learners dealing with trauma, stress and other challenges.
The foundation says it plans to partner with organisations and psychologists who can provide support at adopted schools for periods of around four to six months.
For Manyathela, the goal is ultimately about giving children access to support and possibilities that may change the direction of their lives.
Even helping a small number of learners have a different experience from his own, he says, would make the initiative worthwhile.
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