CorpsAfrica came into my life at a point where I had decided that I wanted to use my story to help shape the next generation, but I did not know how to go about it. Being part of CorpsAfrica has deepened my understanding of what it means to serve and drive change. The alignment between the organisation, my motto, and even my name, Hope, fuels my desire to be a change-maker and to live a purposeful life in the community I am deployed in, Sofaya-Madagascar, Maruleng Municipality, Limpopo.

As part of the back-to-school movement, I saw an opportunity to host a motivational talk for Grade 12 learners at Ngwanamakhutswe Secondary School. The session aimed to inspire and equip learners with tools to excel academically and prepare for life beyond secondary school. Many learners experience uncertainty due to a lack of encouragement and information, and I wanted to help bridge that gap by sharing my own experiences and lessons.

The goal of the session was to encourage learners to take ownership of their futures, set clear goals, and develop habits that support success. I emphasised the importance of having a vision and taking proactive steps toward achieving it, rather than waiting until the last minute.

I shared my personal struggles with procrastination, particularly in mathematics. I would tell myself I would start practicing closer to exams, which only increased pressure and resulted in poor performance. Although I later tried using past exam papers and saw some improvement, I realised that consistent effort from the beginning could have changed my outcome. I passed matric with good results in most subjects, but my mathematics mark remained low, leaving me with regret and an important lesson about personal responsibility.

Another mistake I shared was not thinking about life after matric early enough. When university and bursary applications opened, I had limited information and did not apply on time. This led to a gap year filled with frustration, self-doubt, and emotional struggle. Although I later went on to university and graduated, I would not wish that experience on anyone. It taught me that it is better to plan and fail than to fail to plan.

I also reflected on the importance of asking for help. Even though I had a sibling already in university, I did not seek guidance because I wanted to appear independent. I now understand that asking for support is not weakness, but strength. No one succeeds alone.

Through this talk, I hope learners gained clarity about:

• Setting clear and achievable goals
• Effective time management and study strategies
• Building resilience and overcoming obstacles
• Creating support networks
• Exploring post-secondary options early
• Applying for universities and bursaries on time

I am confident that sharing my story helped motivate learners and bridge information gaps about transitioning from secondary school to higher education. This initiative contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by empowering learners with knowledge and skills, and supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by encouraging them to pursue education and career pathways.