Leadership in Action: How a Go for Gold Alumnus Answered the Call

Leadership in Action: How a Go for Gold Alumnus Answered the Call

At Go for Gold, we pride ourselves on being more than just an education-to-employment programme — we are a support system that listens, acts, and uplifts. Recently, one of our counsellors alerted management to a pressing concern raised by one of our students in a session. With the student’s permission, it was disclosed that both his parents are currently unemployed and living in the Eastern Cape, while he and his sibling live in the Western Cape. This leaves him to navigate life’s challenges largely on his own, as his sibling works night shifts to support the family.

 

Thanks to the additional intervention offered to our students and the close relationships we build with them, our EDP Coordinator was able to respond immediately. Having supported them since Grade 11, she is familiar with their background and well attuned to their needs. As a result, she was able to pair this student with a mentor, someone who not only lives in the same area, but had once faced similar circumstances. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a caring alumnus. He did not hesitate to step in and offer support. His willingness to connect and provide mentorship to this student has already brought comfort, encouragement, and hope.

 

Mentors like this play a vital role in the Go for Gold programme. They offer more than advice — they provide lived experience, guidance, and reassurance that success is possible, even in the face of adversity. By building trust and offering relatable insight, our mentors empower students to overcome personal and academic challenges. Their presence reinforces a sense of belonging and continuity throughout the education-to-employment journey.

 

Importantly, this act of compassion also highlights the effectiveness of Go for Gold’s Leadership Development training delivered throughout Grade 11 and 12 in both the Education-to-Employment Programme (EDP) and Workplace Learning Internship (WLI). These sessions are proving successful in instilling key values such as responsibility, self-awareness, caring, and a sense of community. The mentor’s immediate willingness to assist — without hesitation — is a living example of these values in action.

 

This swift response is not an isolated act, but a reflection of who we are.

 

Our impact goes beyond our classrooms and workshops — it is rooted in compassion, responsiveness, and a deep commitment to seeing every student thrive, no matter the odds.

 

Please note: Names have been deliberately withheld to protect the privacy of our student and alumnus.

#GoForGoldSA #EducationToEmployment #STEMExcellence #FutureLeaders #SkillsDevelopment #BBBEE