Thabo is well on his way

ORT Tech, ORT SA’s operational arm in the Western Cape, found themselves inspired by Thabo Mohlomi from Hector Peterson Secondary High School. The enthusiastic learner has pursued his dreams, despite experiencing hardship in the township of Wallacedene.

Thanks to his hard work, enthusiasm and sponsorship from ORT Tech, Thabo has joined the Cape Academy in Constantia, Cape Town. Caroline Eichweber, Thabo’s teacher from Hector Peterson Secondary High School, says “You have given him hope; perhaps the greatest gift you can give to any being.”

“Thabo’s strong self-possessed presence and obvious eagerness to learn made an impression on me”, says Eichweber. Qualities that were soon recognised by ORT Tech. ORT Tech was the main sponsor for his education “ORT Tech took a personal interest in Thabo and their staff privately sponsored his personal needs”.

ORT believes in the 130 year old organisation’s philosophy of “Educating for Life”. ORT Tech was established by World ORT in 1993 as the ORT STEP (Science and Technology Education Programme). Today ORT Tech continues to address education technology in South Africa. Projects focus on Science, Mathematics and Technology.

In a letter written to ORT Tech, Eichweber expressed her greatest thanks to the non-profit organisation and the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology for being “the locomotive for Thabo” that will be able to take him to new heights. She went on to say that Thabo showed “happiness, joy and gratitude to this immense opportunity”. Thabo’s enthusiasm continued after he and his High School teacher were shown around Cape Academy. “You have acquired a good student, an unskilled learner to prepare him to scale the tall mountain peak of becoming a future leader”.

Eichweber believes that the Cape Academy and ORT Tech are “providing a positive influence and understanding to this need to make him feel included. You have made Thabo feel like an important member of your family”.

Dorienne Levitt, Chairman ORT Tech Trust, commented on Thabo’s achievement saying that this is what makes her proud to be associated with ORT and it’s achievements through projects such as these.