According to writer Tinyiko Maluleke, when President Cyril Ramaphosa quoted the song “Send Me” by Hugh Masekela in his inaugural address to South Africa’s Parliament, he highlighted themes of self-sacrifice, individual responsibility and the importance of personal change in mindsets. Maleluke further asserts that with those words, the song artist Hugh Masekela paints a vision of a future in which “the people” (not the government!) will “start to turn it around”. Bettie Bosiame of Batlharos in Kuruman, Northern Cape is doing exactly that.

A group of about 50 students were trained in Environmental Practice and Project Management, but none found work placement. This is vital for them to receive their qualification at the end of the year.

Mrs Bosiame has stepped forward to provide these students from different villages (including Magojaneng, Mothibistad, Mapoteng, Batlharos, Bankhara, Kleineira, Kagung, Wrenchville, Promised Land, Thuli Madonsela, Seven Miles, Seoding) in Kuruman with work placement and mentorship. Mrs Bosiame (Ma Bettie, as the students fondly call her) is a small upcoming entrepreneur in recycling, clearly with a big heart, much patience and exceptional care for the environment, these students and the community