Developing young minds: Mothupi Kgopa

Mothupi was reading a newspaper when an advertisement from TEACH South Africa caught his eye.

He was keen to do something different which would bring about change in South Africa, so he applied to the initiative and the rest, as they say, is history.

He now teaches Maths and Science to Grade 8 and Grade 11 learners of Thuto-Lesedi Senior Secondary School in Vosloorus.

He holds a BSC from the University of the Witwatersrand and is currently studying towards a postgraduate diploma in Education.

Mothupi says the experience that you gain from a higher education institution does not prepare you enough for what awaits you in the classroom.

“When you get to the school, you realise that being a teacher is really tough and that it’s more about changing the behaviour of the students,” he says.

He has found that South African learners have so much to deal with at home that when they get to class, some can’t focus.

And initially he found it hard to connect with them, but in time, he has learnt to understand them and their backgrounds.

What keeps him going despite these challenges is the enthusiasm from his students.” They are always so excited to see me and they are eager to learn; this makes me very happy.”
Asked what impact he thinks he has made, Mothupi says “a positive one”.

“When I started teaching here, most of the learners were not performing well academically, but right now my Science class is one of the best classes in the whole school.”

Mothupi says when he sees his students’ marks he realises that the work he is doing is worthwhile and fulfilling.

His pride and joy, though, are the female learners who are excelling in Maths and Science.“Often female students struggle with these subjects, but I am happy that my learners are breaking the stereotype. It makes me feel very good to know that I am doing something great in someone’s life.”

For Mothupi being a TEACH Ambassador means that he can never be the same again. He says you can’t go through the programme and not be touched by it.

“The experience changes your mindset, your perceptions and in the long run, it changes your outlook on life.”

His advice for anyone who would like to be a TECH Ambassador is that you have to be passionate not only about education, but about children and development.

“When you go out there you need to know that you are dealing with children not statistics. You need to know that it’s not for the money; it’s something you do to give back to the community.

So it’s all about the community and empowering young minds.”

As far as future plans are concerned, Mothupi wants to study communications and journalism and see if he can incorporate these subjects into his teaching.