​Losing parents at an early age has not stopped 18-year-old Lesedi Malope from pursuing his dream of becoming a Charted Accountant.
The articulate Lesedi, who resides at Bluegum View in Duduza, Ekurhuleni says he wants to become a game changer in his family, and not allow being an orphan determine his destiny.

He says despite growing up as an orphan, one thing that kept him going was the support he received from his grandmother, Mme Tryphina Rangoaga, that of taking education as a tool to academic excellence.

Lesedi is one of the 2021 Top Achievers from the local school, Asser Maloka Secondary School in Duduza and a beneficiary of the department’s foster care programme. He passed Grade 12 with an ‘A’ and scooped two (2) distinctions in Accounting and English.

He is now enrolled to study BCOM at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to pursue his dream of becoming a Charted Accountant.

From a tender age, Lesedi was raised by his grandmother because his parents had demanding working hours, until such a time they both died.

“In the year 2020, my grandmother took me to the Gauteng Department of Social Development office in Duduza to apply for foster care. Up until this point, I’ve been in the foster care system as an orphan,” he said.

“I was raised in a very strict household and followed my grandmother’s instructions. She always encouraged excellence through all her children. She made sure we are well taken of and all our needs at school are handled properly.”

“Her words still reverberate in my mind that school comes first, she’s been loyal and very supportive.”

“I remember she helped me so much that she made me cut on my chores at home, just so I could focus and spend time studying. She would set the alarm on her phone and wake me up at night every day to study.”

“One thing I appreciate about my family is the support, regardless of the challenges I had to endure as a child. It is through their support and encouragement, that I believed my dreams were valid.”

“I am going to work very hard so that I thank them with my success and achievements,” added a jubilant Lesedi.

Case Manager and a Social Worker at Gauteng Social Development in Duduza Office, Mpho Thubakgale says she was very lucky to have Lesedi under her wing.

“I always knew that Lesedi is a star boy, he always had that star in him. I want to thank his grandmother also for cooperating and always giving him the support.”

“It is not always easy to work with people, but Lesedi made my work very easy and brought out that passion in me to continue serving people as a passionate social worker specializing in foster care programme,” said Thubakgale.

She added that she was very happy to share this moment with Lesedi and hopes he will remain grounded as he pursues new life challenges at tertiary.

Lesedi has thanked the Department, his family, and most specially his grandmother for the lifelong support, and gave gratitude to his high school Accounting teacher, Miss Nhleko from Asser Maloka Secondary School.