By Seleoe Nonyane
Sebolelo Rathebe an enthusiast of change, aims to shift the mindset of a child from a tender age.
This, she intends to do on April 18 2022 at her first ever kids conference which will take place at ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre.
In an interview with the Reporter, Rathebe indicated that she felt like it was necessary for her to create a platform where she can bring children together and teach them ways of making a living from young age, which regards as highly important.
“For things to stay and stick on the mind there must be good traits where such traits must be instilled on a child from a young age in order to help them thrive in the future.
“It is time that we train children to fend for themselves at an early stage and assist them in to reaching their full potential. This will also help them become aware of their interests and talents.
“Therefore, when they are of age it will be easy for them to know which direction to take towards their future”, she emphasized.
It is for these reasons that there will be educational presentations on various aspects of life.
She aims to boost kids’ confidence all while all shifting their minds to greater heights for a better upcoming generation. She thought that she could have been exposed to such grooming in her young age.
Now, she plans to be the influential in shaping children’s lives.
Among the presentations that will be made on that day is on climate change and how a child can use recycled items such as plastics to create other products. She gave an example that children can be taught to make toy cars by using recycled items.
Therefore, this recycling will not only help in tackling climate change but it will also help a child acquire a toy without using money which in turn helps in saving.
Another presentation will be on the production of food and together with the agricultural department children who will be attending the conference will be taught about what one needs to do in order to produce food and eat from their own garden.
The emergence of Covid-19 was an eye opener so as it affected some people’s lives as they lost some jobs and plunged in hunger.
Therefore, with the food production presentation children will know that producing their own food is essential.
A talent show is also incorporated in the events of that day and this is because people have different interest in life. So, not everyone is bound to be an entrepreneur. The talent show will help showcase other talents the kids may acquire.
Rathebe wishes to hold the conference quarterly so as to train more children in the ability to produce food. She said a holding of the conference in quarterly period will also help keep the kids motivated and curious.
She plans to introduce the conference to other districts apart from Maseru.
She is a person of excellence for in 2019 she won an award for best graduate when acquiring her degree in Mass Communication at the Institute of Extra- Mural Studies (IEMS).
Rathebe currently works as a radio presenter doing a kids’ programme for a local radio station.
She is also known as Laylo and has appeared in several locally produced comedian short films. Laylo also writes stories.
Laylo also sells Basotho foods which she produces herself and the children attending the event will enjoy the meals.
