Queen Monareng, a local community developer and entrepreneur, founded the Botjha ke Palesa youth organisation in 2012
Monareng registered it as a non-profit organisation with the department of social development in 2014.
This 33-year-old has been nominated for the South African Heroines Awards that will be held in Durban on 12 November.
It was Monareng’s pregnancy at the age of 16 years, and the accompanying hardships, that brought her to the realisation that she needed to help other young women to not go through what she endured.
The organisation was then established to raise awareness of teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and other social ills faced by South African youths.
“Since its establishment, Botjha ke Palesa has been assisting young people by helping them access skills development training, learnerships, bursaries, education opportunities and jobs opportunities,” says Monareng.
Additionally, they promote the well-being of the elderly, the LGBTQI+ community and those living with disabilities.
“We also assist community projects that bring development to various communities in the Matjhabeng municipality, under the Lejweleputswa district and Free State province as a whole,” she says.
The organisation has been working with the Department of Social Development, the Department of Arts and Culture in Lejweleputswa, police in Thabong, the Department of Labour and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) partaking in youth development programmes.
“This is a forum that draws participation from many parts of the community and where it is possible to exchange information face-to-face. Here we can share personal stories and experiences, honestly and openly, and express perspectives, clarify viewpoints and develop solutions to youth concerns,” she says.
This journey, she says, involves discovering and developing common values, and it allows participants to express their own interests through dialogue.
“The participants can question and re-evaluate their consumption,” she says.
Monareng is now a qualified community development practitioner and she seeks to reach and inspire the youth throughout South Africa.
People who wish to assist Monareng in her journey forward and her trip to the South African Heroines Awards in Durban, can contact her on 083-596-6974.
She will be leaving for the ceremony on 10 November.
Here we can share personal stories and experiences, honestly, and express perspectives, clarify viewpoints and develop solution to youth concerns – Queen Monareng
