22-year-old Dimakatso Lekola, a law student and young CEO has been named Community Builder of the Year for his incredible work bridging the gaps in the education system:
South Africa (12 October 2023) — Community building might look different to different people, but regardless of the ‘how’ the end goal is usually the same—strengthening people collectively. For Dimakatso Lekola (22), a University of Pretoria Law student and young CEO who recently won a big award recognising him as Community Builder of the Year, the building blocks of stronger communities and his ‘how’ begins with bridging the gaps in education.
Dimakatso from Phetwane Village in Limpopo, is the Founder of DK Lekola Global Education Institute. He was inspired to take action in helping more people access educational support after a matric student whose family faced financial constraints, reached out to him for help.
“Given my own upbringing in a financially disadvantaged background, I empathized with her situation and felt compelled to find a way to assist. I understood the struggles of attending underprivileged public schools, where resources and teachers were limited, often necessitating self-study and peer teaching. During my own Matric year at Mokgoma Matlala Secondary School in Phetwane Village, Limpopo Province, there were only seven teachers, including the principal and vice principal,” he says.
The path he and his team are building (which began in 2022) is one where educational support is more accessible to more high school and tertiary students through tutoring and mentorship; fostering a community of students who have access to the track that’ll help them put their best foot forward toward their future dreams more affordably and with more avenues of support.
An impressive endeavour requiring a lot of extra hours in between completing his LLB, Dimakatso won the Sunrise Excellence Award for Community Builder of the Year and was the youngest nominee to win. These awards honour impact makers across categories who have shown dedication, leadership and have a strong commitment to creating positive change.
For Dimakatso, the win comes thanks not only to what he is building but the gaps his labour of love fills within the education system. It also follows another nod to his efforts which came earlier this year when he won the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) prize for Humanitarian and Leadership.
Several support divisions contribute to these gap fillers, including mental health, talent, tech and even legal and transformation—giving students the opportunity to nurture passions and their own well-being, while the Institute actively works to transform the South African education system.
“What sets me apart as a community builder is the holistic approach to community development,” Dimakatso tells Good Things Guy.
“While many community builders focus on one aspect, I aim to address education, mental well-being, talent development, legal matters, and mentorship, creating a more comprehensive impact.”
As for aspiring community builders, Dimakatso advises:
“To those who want to start building communities, my advice is to begin with a clear passion and understanding of community needs. Collaboration, starting small, learning from others, staying committed, and regularly assessing the impact are key principles for effective community building.
“Most importantly, take that first step—even small efforts can lead to significant change.”