Budding Roses Shine

Budding Roses is a Motivational Talk Seminar that I independently finance and organize annually through my company, LimeZest Communications.

The initiative was initially aimed at high school girls in Kwa-Thema and Springs region from all walks of life, thus, striving to thwart the gap between high school girls and their female luminaries- who are excelling in their chosen fields – particularly those in the public eye.

However, being one from the school of thought that we mustn’t exclude the boy child in any empowerment endeavor, this year I went back to the drawing board and took a different direction.

Budding Roses usually takes place in a central venue where 300 girls gather to listen to their “big” sisters, receive gifts, take pictures… and summarize all the summons that get preached during the women’s month – August. Hence this took place annually every last Monday of August.

On Friday, 02 September 2011, Budding Roses visited my high school, Phulong, in Kwa-Thema with Dineo Ranaka and The-Twinz (Hlelo and Ntando Masina) as the keynote speakers.

Despite the change of settings this year, the philosophy and aim of Budding Roses remained to instill values of sisterhood (and brotherhood), encourage positive lifestyles, enhance the drive to succeed and simply give the kids that push into the right direction.

To maintain the element of surprise the kids knew “someone” was coming to visit them but they didn’t know who and after we slyly sneaked into the schoolyard…boom out of nowhere emerged The Twins at the assembly. TJO! I have never seen anything like what I witnessed. Everyone was screaming on top of their lungs, we could hardly feel our ears for a good ten minutes. Let’s just say I’m glad no one fainted.

Right after the The Twins’ inspirational talk, Dineo walked on and continued dripping wisdom just like Hlelo and Ntado. Just as they (the pupils) thought all was done I asked grade 10s to 12s to remain behind-where each of them received a goodie bag containing a CLEO Magazine, a Croxley notepad and a Pentel Pen. The appreciation made it feel so surreal, I still get goose-bumps thinking of that morning. The reception was so warm that I know this is a legacy I pledge to uphold and continue every year.

A big shoutout goes out, in no particular order, to Dineo, Hlelo and Ntando Masina and the goodie bag sponsors Cleo Magazine and Blue-Ray for the stationary. Till next year…mad love!!

By Hastings Moeng

@SirHastingz

Related Stories: