Selaelo Ramahlo, 29, is the chief executive and co-founder of a community development and sustainability organisation, His Presence Foundation. Through this philanthropy, Selaelo mentors boys and girls in rural areas to equip them with skills for when they enter the workforce and the world at large. Selaelo says one of their initiatives at the foundation that they are most proud of is the Keep a School Child in School project, where they donated 100 pairs of school shoes and tracksuits to learners at one school, to ensure that the children in need can continue with their education. Selaelo is is highly motivated when they see the positive effects of their efforts on the community and especially the youth, and believes they can bring light and change to dire situations. Selaelo is driven by issues that involve young people, and believes that the youth have the potential to shape South Africa’s future by getting more involved in economic development processes in the country and ensuring that their work adds value to the development of South Africa. “The one thing that excites me about this is the fact that we will be able to engage more in economic development conversations in our country.”
Municipal and Public Governance, University of Johannesburg
The second programme His Presence Foundation hosted, called “Keep a School Child in School”, when we donated 100 pairs of school shoes and tracksuits to learners in one school. The lesson I learned was the words echoed by Charlotte Maxeke, “This work is not our own, kill that spirit of selfishness, when you rise bring someone with you” and I have seen how the students’ academics improved when we assisted.
Yes, their dedication to serve and lead their people has always been an influence for me.