Stakeholders and friends of the Beast Foundation, together with the media, gathered at The Pencil in uMhlanga Arch on Monday, 12 February, to officially launch the foundation’s Lead Like a Girl programme.
The programme aims to empower young women from underprivileged communities in South Africa and Zimbabwe by providing opportunities to help them realise their full potential.
Lead Like a Girl will create a bright future for candidates by fostering leadership skills and generating opportunities for success among young women from the age of 13, who are living in marginalised communities.
The programme is a collaborative initiative that was established in July 2023 between The Beast Foundation and Elyseum.
Currently, 15 young girls have been adopted into the programme, which will provide them with schooling support. The foundation will cover tuition, boarding fees, learning materials and other expenses.
The founder and chairperson, Tendai Mtawarira, a professional Rugby Union player from Zimbabwe who now resides in South Africa and is commonly known as ‘Beast’, said that the programme will involve annual leadership camps, visits to various African countries and continuous mentorship.
“A cohort of 15 girls was selected from schools in KZN, Gauteng and Zimbabwe based on their academic, sports and cultural achievements as well as their financial needs. Lead Like a Girl represents a collective effort to uplift young women and foster positive change in underserved communities across the continent,” said Mtawarira.
The Beast believes that through mentorship, scholarships, the influence of inspiring female patrons and the establishment of a robust alumni network, their goal with Lead Like a Girl is clear: “To provide unwavering support, comprehensive training and quality education to young girls.”
The girls have been placed in the best schools, Epworth, St Annes, Durban Girls’ College, Wembley and Jeppe in Johannesburg.
The programme aims to nurture these young women into formidable future leaders and empower them to guide the next generation of young girls as they forge their unique paths. Lead Like a Girl is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education and gender equality.
Mtawarira emphasised that the programme aims to address the challenges of poverty and reduce vulnerabilities to issues like child marriage and domestic violence.
To be part of the programme, the girls must achieve a minimum of 75% in Mathematics and 65% in English. They are also required to write an entrance exam to the school of their choice and take psycho-social assessments. They are also required to participate in extra-mural activities and need to have two references.
Mtawarira thanked the girls’ parents for trusting the foundation with their children and raising amazing young women.
One of the parents, Victoria Pooran from Richmond, said that she is excited that her daughter was selected for the programme.
“She deserved it. From a very young age, my daughter has done well in school. She is an easy child to raise and I hope that she is successful in the programme, and reaches her dreams,” said Pooran.
The foundation has received funding of over R20 million with help from its partners and the dedication of its team. They aim to create a strong foundation for a new generation of empowered and resilient young women, who are sure to leave an indelible mark on the world.
