March, 2009
Tracker, together with Metro FM and the Gauteng Department of Education, have this week launched an ambitious campaign to inspire high-school going boys to work hard at school and set positive goals for themselves by introducing them to as many South African companies as possible.
Background
The teenage years are often a challenging period filled with angst and doubt. This is also the time when our children are at their most impressionable and a positive or negative influence can make all the difference between a life filled with success and happiness and one darkened by unsavoury choices.
In a world where gender equality is a necessary focus, our adolescent boys, the men of tomorrow, are being left behind. The Men in the Making campaign, an initiative presented by Tracker and Metro FM and endorsed by the Gauteng Department of Education, challenges South Africa’s boys to improve their school performance and to set themselves positive personal goals by physically exposing them to the many rewarding career opportunities available to them in South Africa’s jobscape.
Launched this week, the Men in the Making campaign is an annual event whereby corporate South Africa is encouraged to welcome high-school boys into their businesses for a day, providing them with a “real life” glimpse into the working world, as well as potentially offering them mentoring, career guidance and support opportunities.
More than just a career day
Designed to be more than just a career day, Men in the Making will help teenagers understand the value of their education, challenging them to overcome their obstacles and work towards becoming productive adult citizens of our country.
The day for the campaign, officially allocated by the Department of Education as March 26 for 2009, will in future years always take place during the last week of March.
“To ensure the healthy development of South Africa’s adolescent boys, we need to ensure that they are not left out of the equation and are given the guidance and support that they so desperately need,” says Koos Radebe, Tracker’s CSI and Communications Director.
“Young men often turn to the fantasy world of video games, Internet, movies and pop culture icons looking for role models - and often these sources promote inappropriate ideals. Men in the Making introduces South Africa’s boys to role models of substance, real people and organisations that can make a positive impact in their lives. Often a small gesture, as simple as a visit to a company, can spark a burning ambition in a young person.”
How your company can get involved
Tracker and Metro FM have worked closely with the Gauteng Department of Education to identify a number of schools from impoverished areas which will participate in the programme. Interested companies can register on the Tracker website (www.tracker.co.za) and, wherever possible, an attempt will be made to match organisations with boys who are interested in a particular industry or career path. For example, if a learner shows a particular interest in broadcasting, he would ideally be sent to a company in that field. Companies are urged to involve as many boys as they can afford.
“We hope to register as many companies as possible to support this initiative. The male adolescent in South Africa is calling out for attention, help, recognition and acknowledgement as he grapples with the challenges of life and we believe Men in the Making sends a clear message to our youth that society values their contribution and a positive future is within their grasp,” says Radebe. “All they need is some mentoring and support - an open door to help them along. We hope to plant the seeds of ambition within each of them that will one day result in a crop of adult men who are not only well balanced and good providers for their families, but become role models in their communities.”
To reiterate, companies wanting to get involved can do so by visiting Tracker’s website (www.tracker.co.za) and clicking on the Men in the Making link under Corporate Social Investment section. Here you will be able to read up on all the information and submit the necessary applications.
Note: Although the campaign is this year targeted at learners and companies within Gauteng, organisations outside of the province are welcome to get involved and will be accommodated wherever possible. The focus is on learners from Grades 9 t0 12.