By: Puleng Maphisa- 30 March 2023

On 29 March 2023, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Civil Engineering Department in partnership with the Advancement Department had the honour of hosting Itumeleng Phiri, the Junior Mayor of Midvaal Local Municipality.

The Grade 11 learner and a member of the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) at the New Hope Secondary School, has already started to pave her way by seeking information which will prepare her to fulfil her dreams of becoming a civil engineer.

In addition to learning more about Civil Engineering as a discipline, she was given a tour of the campus – which she says left her motivated and assured that she had made the right career and institution choice.

Passionate about youth development, Itumeleng says she joined the Midvaal Junior Council elections so that she can be part of changing and shaping the future of the youngsters in her community. The aspirant civil engineer says serves as a voice of youth within the Council committee and it is within her duty to ensure that her community youth have a brighter future by coming up with possible solutions towards youth challenges.

By her own admission, the Junior Mayor said she is not a person of many words but leaves by the quote of Brian Tracy saying, “Outstanding leaders have a sense of mission, a belief in themselves and the value of their work.” She believes that her life is all about aspiring and inspiring, she leaves footprints wherever she goes.

The Midvaal Junior Council comprises of sixteen young brilliant and talent leaders chosen from different high schools. It is a programme designed to engage with young people and develop their interest in public services and civic duty. It also provides youth with leadership skills as well as the platform to engage Council on pressing issues and challenges the youth face.