Tryphina Rakgotho is a strong, smiley, family oriented, entirely endearing, sparkling young woman who exudes confidence and inspires all those who cross her path.
She is 25 years old, a single mother of one, who came from very humble rural beginnings in Mpumalanga and later Pienaarsrivier. Overcoming challenges to complete her matric in 2011, she has fought hard to push herself to fulfil her potential. She is driven, dedicated, passionate, self-motivated and much to her own surprise, is now about to accomplish her dream and become a role model for young children.
From 2017 Tryphina will be a fully- fledged teacher at Alon-Ashel Pre- Primary School, where she will co- teach with Sarah Stern and then teach on her own with an assistant, whilst Sarah takes her maternity leave.
In 2012 Tryphina started working at Alon-Ashel as a nappy changer, an employee of the cleaning company Essential Services. She quickly showed her worth with a willingness to give of herself and a natural ability and love for the children; she progressed from nappy changer to a classroom floater and then became a permanent employee of the Herzlia School system.
“Tryphina has been such an inspirational person to work with; she sets so many goals for herself and has never faulted, even when times were tough. It is a pleasure working with her and she is and will continue to be an asset to the school.” says Cheryl Lazarus, Alon- Ashel Principal.
“I want to set a good example, be a good teacher, leader and mother to the children, bring joy to them, and be there for them. Teach them to be confident, to trust, to love, to appreciate themselves — so that they can fulfil their own dreams.”
ORT SA CAPE is proud to have played a pivotal role in her career; they trained Tryphina through their 18 Month Level 4 Early Childhood Development course (accredited by Boland College). This was a collaboration sponsored by a very generous donor, whereby she was earmarked by Herzlia Schools with another 30 candidates to be up-skilled. This qualification allows candidates to teach classes of children up to five years of age. “The course not only uplifted the knowledge base of these participants but entirely empowered them as human beings, their confidence levels just soared.” explains Bev Da Costa of ORT SA CAPE
The sky is the limit for Tryphina now; she is grabbing all pre-primary. opportunities with both hands and is very grateful. In a few short years, with the help and support of her family, ORT SA CAPE and Cheryl Lazarus, she has managed to achieve her primary objective.
“I want to set a good example, be a good teacher, leader and mother to the children, bring joy to them, and be there for them. Teach them to be confident, to trust, to love, to appreciate themselves — so that they can fulfil their own dreams.” says Tryphina
She encourages other young people to follow their own dreams, because dreams really can come true. She is her own success story.
ORT SA CAPE runs courses to up- skill and enhance the education of capable previously disadvantaged people. Contact ORT SA CAPE 021 4488516 or karen@ortsacape.org for more information.
Lisa Levy was born and bred in Cape Town and is currently working for ORTSA CAPE in a Marketing, PR and copywriting capacity.
