Navigating Futures With Thato!

My name is Thato Gaolese, and I am proud to call Postmasburg my home. My journey has not been a straight or simple path, but I share it openly because I believe there are many young people who feel lost, whether in their studies, their purpose, or the direction their lives are taking. I know that uncertainty well because I have lived it. 

Growing up in Postmasburg, opportunities for young people were not always easy to find. After completing high school, I enrolled in a programme that I quickly realised was not aligned with my passion or long-term goals. Making the decision to drop out was not easy, but it taught me something I carry with me to this day. Without passion and purpose, it is easy to feel disconnected and discouraged. I often reflect on that time and wish I had someone to help guide me, a mentor who could help me make sense of what I was experiencing. Today, I strive to be that guide for others who are navigating similar challenges. 

In 2022, I began working with the Rural Education Access Programme, or REAP, where I started by assisting learners with post-school planning sessions. By 2023, I had grown into the role of Schools Programme Officer. Through REAP, we offer young people more than just help with university applications. We help them understand who they are and what they want from life. We run workshops that encourage learners to think carefully about their strengths, passions and long-term goals. We ask them not only what they want to study, but also why that path is important to them. 

One of the biggest challenges I see in Postmasburg is the frustration many young people feel when they are not accepted into university immediately. It can feel like a door closing on their future. Our work is to remind them that this is not the end of the road. Through one-on-one sessions, we help learners reframe failure as a stepping stone rather than a stopping point. We support them in rewriting exams, reapplying to institutions, and exploring new and sometimes unexpected opportunities. We also expose them to guest speakers and representatives from various institutions who broaden their understanding of what is possible. I remember clearly how a visit from the Central University of Technology changed the perspective of many learners. They left that session with a renewed sense of motivation and clarity, realising there were more options available to them than they had ever imagined. 

Our goal is not just to help learners access tertiary education. We want to support them in building futures that are meaningful, stable and driven by passion. I believe deeply in helping young people find careers they love, because when they do, they become contributors to the growth and wellbeing of our entire community. 

My involvement with Parent Power began when the project, supported by the Lesedi Solar Park Trust as part of the Izwi Lakho initiative, hosted a session at the school where I work. I took part in the training and soon found myself co-facilitating sessions alongside Kedibone. Parent Power has completely shifted the way I understand and engage with parents. Instead of focusing on what is lacking, the sessions have taught me to listen more carefully to what parents are feeling and to recognise that many of them want the best for their children. They simply need encouragement and support to become more involved in their children’s education. 

In my work with REAP, I have observed that more girls than boys are coming forward to seek support. While I celebrate the courage of these young women, I also dream of a time when all learners, regardless of gender, feel empowered to take ownership of their future. I believe that if we continue investing in young people beyond just academic support and help them transition into meaningful, fulfilling careers, we will see a lasting transformation in our communities. 

Thanks to the support of REAP, Parent Power and the Lesedi Solar Park Trust, I have found my voice and my purpose. I now have the tools and the platform to reach young people in ways that truly matter. I am committed to this work because I have seen firsthand how the right support at the right moment can change someone’s life. 

For me, it is community ownership to step up not only for yourself, but for the people around you. It means helping others rise, even when your own path has been difficult.