The Tuks Leadership and Individual Programme (TULIP) is a student-led organisation that aims to bridge the gap between secondary and tertiary education. The organisation started in 2016 with only eight student executive committee members and has now grown to include 21 executive members. The organisation’s mission and vision is to contribute to a better education system in South Africa; therefore, it targets under-privileged schools in Laudium and Mamelodi. TULIP has five bodies that aim to develop learners in all aspects of their academic journey from secondary school to tertiary education, namely Academic development, Human development, Financial preparation and fundraising, Leadership development, and Tertiary education applications. The TULIP group of changemakers aims to make a difference in the lives of many learners in Mamelodi and Laudium. The organisation is diverse as it consists of executive committee members from different faculties thus promoting growth within the organisation.
On 9 April, TULIP hosted a career day at both Laudium and Mamelodi schools. According to the head of Academic development, Lerato Mmotsa, the event’s objective was to “expose grade 11 and 12 learners to different career fields they can venture into and further encourage other grades to begin to think about their future endeavours”. This event was in collaboration with different faculty houses and societies at UP. The Faculty of Law, House Humanities, and NAT House all showed up alongside societies like Women In Law and Yes@Tuks. Mmotsa expressed that “seeing parents also attend the career day was a highlight and showed their interest in their children’s future”. Furthermore, the attendance was impressive at both schools, and learners came prepared with questions for the respective faculty houses and societies of their interest. The societies and faculty houses were grateful for the chance to educate learners on the different career fields they can pursue at UP. House Humanities stated, “TULIP is truly special, and it impacts the learners in a meaningful and holistic manner by empowering them in all sectors of their lives. We could not be prouder to be part of this impactful event”.
As an organisation grounded in community engagement, TULIP will host more events and encourages students to join to become a #Changemaker. TULIP chairperson Sihle Mogorosi expressed his gratitude for being able to spearhead this programme. Mogorosi asserted that by the end of his term he aims to “ensure that all portfolios have fully executed all plans, to ensure maintained discipline within the organisation, but most importantly, to preserve TULIP’s good reputation”. The Treasurer for TULIP, Melone Chiwocha, commented that she looked forward to the events and visits and asserted that TULIP is the first step towards her life’s purpose that she has dreamed of since she was young.
For more updates and information, students can visit TULIP’s website at www.1educationatatime.org/about and can follow their Instagram page @tulip_tuks.
Image: Masehle Mailula
