Luthando Fikizolo: A Quiet Dreamer Rising to Lead

In a modest home shared with her grandparents, Luthando Fikizolo, a Grade 7 learner at Linge Primary School, once kept her dreams quietly tucked away. At home, her grandparents offered love but struggled to support her academic needs. Without someone to help with homework or nurture her creative side, Luthando often felt overwhelmed at school, isolated and unsure. All this changed in 2023 when she joined our Afterschool Programme. With the guidance of caring mentors and a nurturing environment, her natural passion for reading and writing poetry began to bloom.

She’s now excelling in her academic work, earning strong marks across subjects, and has grown into a confident leader among her peers. During group sessions, she helps other learners, offering support with schoolwork and motivating them with her calm, uplifting presence. Her journey reached a powerful milestone on 21 June 2024, when she was chosen to represent her school in a city-wide competition for primary schools hosted by the Department of Education. Standing in front of judges and educators from across Cape Town, Luthando led her group with confidence, sharing innovative ideas on how to improve their school. Her group not only impressed the panel, they won first place, bringing home R20,000 for Linge Primary School! For Luthando, that moment was a turning point. It proved that the girl who had once sat quietly with poems in her notebook could now stand proudly in front of a crowd, lead with strength, and inspire others.

Today, Luthando continues to grow. Her voice is no longer hidden. It’s rising – with every poem, every group session, and every goal she reaches. The Afterschool Programme didn’t just help her with homework – it helped her discover who she is – a gifted learner and a bright young girl with dreams as big as her courage.