Breaking down barriers through mentorship programme

University preparation, academic tutoring and big brother mentorship all find expression in a new partnership started by two students at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Law students Ryan Harding and Jehan Thipanyane-Said are helping students prepare for university life through MentorMe, a programme they founded after taking a leap of faith. “I’ve always had a seed in my mind to want to help people, [to] serve and contribute in some way to the youth. From studying psychology, then law, then being in leadership, I was able to speak to many learners and prospective students, and most have [raised] the same queries, [which] have always been that they need guidance and mentorship,” Harding said.

Their decision to start the programme was also shaped by their own experiences of feeling overwhelmed as high school learners. Now that they know better, they are paying it forward. “Success isn’t predetermined – it’s developed. I had the right people develop me when I was in high school and I want to do the same because there is a lot of talent in this country, especially among the youth and education system,” Thipanyane-Said added.

He continued: “I think a lot of people are just missing that edge that elevates them. Our programme also [aims to help] parents be assured as their child nears the point of finishing high school and going into the higher education space.”

The work they will undertake aligns with the university’s priority of people, culture and society, which states that the institution aims to “sustain [our] societal relevance, impact, excellence, transformation, sustainability and success”.

Their focus is also on empowering students to make informed decisions as they begin their higher education journey. “MentorMe is not focused on marks alone. It’s also about developing the person and offering guidance,” Harding said.

The duo launched MentorMe on 29 June and there’s been a lot of support from various companies, organisations and schools. They noted that they also thrive as a team because they hold each other accountable. “We find a way to make wins out of our losses. Every loss is a lesson and the biggest thing for me is looking at the potential this business has. Every week, a new avenue emerges for us to look into,” Thipanyane-Said added.

In the long term, there will be opportunity to expand as the business grows. For the time being, however, the decision-making rests with them. “Decisions are 50/50. We consult with one another,” Harding explained. “We’re honest with ourselves and [stick to] our values.”

Advice

What advice do they offer prospective students? “Stay close to the people who ground you. People get lost because they get drawn into all the new things [that a university offers] and end up losing their identity and the things that are unique to them,” Thipanyane-Said noted. “With all the opportunities available at university, having fun is part of that, but don’t get lost in that fun.”

Harding added: “I’d say try not to focus on outcomes too much. Focus on developing your confidence and self-belief because those two together mean opportunities are endless. And, in a nutshell, I would say MentorMe is about breaking down barriers to potential; and we will give it our best shot.”

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