A group of pupils from two rural schools enjoyed the benefits of the Take a Girl Child to Work programme on Thursday last week, when they were hosted at the Makhado Justice Centre.

The pupils, from Mamvuka Secondary School and Jonathan Mushathama Secondary School, were orientated in the working environment of the legal representatives at Legal Aid SA in Louis Trichardt. The pupils also visited the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court to experience the court’s environment and working space.

The event was held with the assistance of Cell C, who selected the two schools to be taken to Take a Girl Child to Work.

“The learners from the respective schools enjoyed experiencing a feeling of working with our Legal Aid Lawyers,” said Legal Aid Attorney Frank Moropane. “They asked questions which I did not expect from learners from the Dzanani area.” He added that he was deeply moved by the pupils’ passion to become future lawyers. “They fell in love with the profession after they learned that Legal Aid SA represents the indigent and the vulnerable, especially women and children,” he said.
The pupils also also visited the holding cells at the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court, where they were left shocked and afraid after tasting the feeling of being inside the dark cells. Pupils pointed out that, even as the lights were on, the cells felt and seemed dark.

“They did not wish to find themselves in cells, not this year or any other year,” Moropane said. “We were so happy to realise that our Take a Girl Child project not only made learners take an interest in the law field, but that it encouraged them to stay away from any acts of crime.”

A pupil, Elelwani Ndou (18), extended words of gratitude to Cell C and the Makhado Justice Centre for taking a girl child to work. “The day was wonderful – and I would like to thank all stakeholders for the advice, knowledge and information given to us,” she said. “Thanks for shaping and giving us hope.”