Power Girls Lilitha Ntshele Success Story

Lilitha Ntshele, the second of nine children, was born at home in Nyanga in 2006. Her journey with Etafeni began as a learner at the Afterschool programme when she was referred by Linge Primary School when she was in Grade 5 in 2016. She was struggling with her Maths studies at the time, but after the intervention of the Afterschool programme staff, she improved her Maths results and was able to pass and do well academically. 

She joined PowerGirls when she was 15 years old and, empowered by the help she got there, she graduated from the programme in 2022. After passing her Matric at Oscar Mpetha High School in Nyanga in 2023, Lilitha decided to take a gap year to think about what she wanted to pursue for her future studies. That was when she joined our Fit for Life Fit for Work programme. 

This programme provides lifeskills and computer skills, as well as business and financial literacy skills to out-of-school youth. After successfully completing all the required modules, she then volunteered at Etafeni’s Afterschool programme. “While I was in the programme I learnt a lot. I got to know what being a young girl means and how young girls navigate the challenges of adolescent-hood. 

I got to know how to stand up for myself and be strong no matter what.” Through her experience at Fit for Life, Fit for Work, she was able to apply for a job and is now working at Ntshona Primary School as a Teacher Assistant. She has applied to study law at various universities, including Nelson Mandela University and Stellenbosch. 

She sees herself as a successful lawyer who will be able to fight for justice, especially for people coming from underprivileged communities.