Prior to the ceremony, underprivileged high school pupils in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 watched Step Up, Let’s Lead, a 90-minute film.
The film introduced learners to the fundamentals of leadership and was screened at 15 different cinemas during August, September and October.
After watching the movie and reading the comprehensive booklet, learners were encouraged to ‘step up’, by accepting personal and social responsibility to make positive changes for themselves and their community.
Primestars facilitated the awards by gathering money from sponsors, organising which schools participated, and what gifts were awarded to the finalists.
According to marketing representative for Primestars Karen Bekker, the movement’s finalists demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and have implemented them successfully in their respective schools and communities.
Radio and television personality DJ Sbu, who empowers the youth with motivational leadership talks in schools, was the master of ceremonies for the awards.
His keen sense for relating to the youth was evident by his ability to connect to the learners with anecdotes of his school days and his attitude towards literacy, learning and leadership.
Deputy Minister of Basic Education Enver Surty also gave a motivational talk to the finalists at the awards.
Surty said he believed in the youth and asked the community to recognise the change in South African learners.
“Their [the finalists] challenge is on a micro level, but the aim is to work their way towards a role of leadership,” said Surty.
Each finalist was awarded a medal for participation and bursaries, scholarships and leadership programmes were handed out from companies such as Eduloan, Afrika Tikkun and Nampack.
