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The MOT SA team recently visited Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape to celebrate three years of the MOT Programme’s impact in the province. This visit was a chance to reflect on how MOT has empowered youth, created community bonds, and made a difference in young lives. Held at the Burgersdorp Cultural History Museum, the meeting brought together key figures, including Scatec (MOT’s funder), Councillor Nel, local police, the Department of Health, and other key community leaders, to look back on the journey so far and discuss the road ahead.
Sanelisiwe Sikweyiya, our MOT Coordinator, shared inspiring stories of how MOT has become a lifeline for many young people in the community. She spoke about the Courage to Care Day Campaign in the Eastern Cape, which started with a simple act of kindness through a toiletry drive inspired by one student’s story. This act showed students that MOT truly cares about them. One girl, who was once withdrawn and quiet, now actively takes part in MOT sessions and says it’s because she feels valued by the MOT programme and her MOT Coaches.
In her talk, Sanelisiwe reflected on the journey since 2022, when MOT launched with 27 coaches in Burgersdorp. While some coaches have left, MOT continues to thrive, with schools and community members stepping up to help. She expressed gratitude to everyone who has pitched in – from providing transportation to local police and social development officials who have supported MOT’s mission. “We cannot lose this programme now,” Sanelisiwe said. “The stories from the students show how much MOT means to them and the community.”
The meeting also provided an update on the project’s progress and future plans, which include researching the MOT programme’s impact across the four participating schools. Attendees discussed the importance of community support and how MOT trains educators to coach and support youth, creating a supportive environment for young people to grow. Ongoing initiatives like the recent Courage to Care Day Campaign were also highlighted, showing MOT’s commitment to empowering the Courage to Care, kindness and compassion in Burgersdorp’s youth.
Burn Godfrey, Community Development Officer from Scatec, our funder for the project in Burgersdorp, thanked the MOT team for their hard work and dedication. Councillor Nel added his full support, emphasizing the positive impact MOT has on the community. He noted that, while funding may be limited, stakeholders could offer their support through endorsements and letters of support to help secure ongoing sponsorship.
Andiswa Makha, MOT SA Head of Training and Activities, closed the meeting by recognizing the commitment of the MOT coaches and everyone who helped keep the MOT programme alive during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic. “This programme wouldn’t have survived without the community’s contribution and the dedication of our MOT coaches,” she said, expressing heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
As we mark this three-year milestone, we look forward to continuing our journey with the Burgersdorp community, empowering more young people, and spreading the message of courage, care, and positive choices. Thanks to everyone who makes the MOT Programme possible, and here’s to many more years of impact and growth in Burgersdorp!
MOT SA has been appointed by Scatec Solar to implement a Youth Leadership Programme within 2021, wherein we completed the 6-month MOT Programme for 30 youth, which forms part of their companies’ strategic development goals.
One of the MOT Youth and now a trained MOT Coach, Sanelisiwe Sikweyiya, saw the positive impact the MOT Programmes were bringing to the youth, and further motivated for the MOT Programmes to be implemented within the schools and community organisation.
Sanelisiwe Sikweyiya’s proposal included: “Like in many communities in our country, unemployment has become a huge problem; this has crippled and demotivated our youth immensely. As a result, our youth has resorted to a life of crime, drugs, alcohol and prostitution. We also have a huge challenge of teen pregnancy and dropouts. When I enrolled in the MOT Programme, I saw an opportunity to motivate and empower our youth and also to bring a sense of meaning back into their lives. The youth people in our community feel like they do not belong anywhere and I feel this programme can change that.”
Through Sanelisiwe’s proposal, MOT has now successfully completed the 3 year milestone in Burgersdorp, Eastern Cape. Thank you!
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