Targeting Talent Programme (TTP)

Why

• To change the course of many learners’ lives through education
• To contribute to the South African youth through the mentorship component of the TTP
• To expand university access to a pool of learners with academic potential from across the country
• To be part of Mandela’s dream of nation-building and reconciliation through enabling access to higher education, and through recruitment of learners from different races, gender, geographic locations and socio-economic backgrounds to be part of the TTP that promotes social- cohesion and good citizenship.

How

There are various ways in which individuals or organisations can get involved, including, but not limited to:

• Funding (i.e. sponsoring a learner or cohort of learners)
• Funding a TTP Alumni student in Higher Education
• Mentoring learners through a mentoring recruitment process facilitated by SETMU
• Alerting learners to higher-education bursary opportunities
• Offering your time to tutor learners in Grades 10, 11, and 12, in English, Mathematics or Physical Science
• Donating in kind resources and/or stationery required to participate in the programme

Want to Know More About the Targeting Talent Programme (TTP)?

• Download the TTP - Case For Support

Participation in the programme involves learners giving up most of their school holidays from Grade 10 to 12.

In Grades 10-11 learners participate in a total of 3 sessions per year including:

• Two Maths and Science supplementation sessions during their March/April and September holidays
• A 2-week Residential Enrichment session at The University of Witwatersrand (WITS) during their June/July school holidays

In their matric year, the learners participate in 2 sessions in March/April and in June/July. This allows them to prepare for their prelims and final exams.

VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ACADEMIC CITIZENSHIP TEAM AWARD

In 2020, the SETMU team had the honour of being nominated and subsequently awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Academic Citizenship Team Award. This award carries with it a grant of R100 000 (one hundred thousand rand) which can be used by the awarded team to further develop their academic citizenship activities in 2021. The team was invited to the Senate/Council celebration, VC’s Awards and VC’s Farewell on 5 December to accept the award. Congratulations to the SETMU team

TTP ALUMNI MAKING MOVES!

Karabo Pshiri Petja, 2015 TTP Alumni from UJ Metropolitan Academy in Gauteng, is currently pursuing a BSc Mechanical at the University of Witwatersrand. In addition, Karabo is the co-founder of Find A Funder; an easy-to-use web platform that aims to increase the number of South African students that have equal access to tertiary funding opportunities, articles and tips, universities and post schooling careers. Karabo recently represented Find a Funder in the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity, in the Existing Social Impact Category as one of 28 businesses selected.

A core component of the TTP is to provide a mentoring programme to achieve the programme outcomes and support of learners participating in the programme. In addition, the mentoring programme aims to contribute to the student’s graduate preparation and experiences which is facilitated by enabling students to accept accountability for their growth through an intentionally designed peer-mentoring programme.

The objectives of the mentor component for the sessions include:

• Providing a role of mentorship, motivation and support to the learners
• Providing important information from the grassroots level to programme coordinators with the aim of improving each contact session.
• Providing a big brother/sister role to learners
• Providing the role of a guide by accompanying learners to the various venues, updating them on vital programme information and acting as the mediators between the programme implementation team and learners

Secondary objectives of the mentor component include:

• Developing leadership and teamwork skills in mentors

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Who can apply to be a TTP mentor? 2nd year registered students at Wits

2.How does one apply to be a TTP mentor? An application link is posted on all TTP’s social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

3. How long is mentor training? Selected mentors undergo a 5-day training (full-day training from 9h00 – 16h00)

4. What are the mentor training objectives? 

• To understand and apply the principles of mentoring
• To develop and practice key mentoring skills
• To identify behaviours that impact the mentoring relationship
• To identify the qualities of an effective mentor
• To enhance their understanding of the mentee(s) through profiling activities
• To build positive relationships through team activities that support and empower individuals
• To enable participants to experience the process of being mentored and mentoring others

5.What are the mentor training benefits?

• Establish rapport with others as a precursor to effective mentoring
• Put into practice core skills of building trust and rapport, effective listening, identifying and enabling resources for success
• Identify and refer at risk learners

2020 Programme 

As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic the programme was implemented online for a five-month period (June to October 2020). Being an online TTP mentor required individuals who were willing to commit their time to impart knowledge and guidance to learners selected to participate in the programme. Through online mentoring, TTP mentors were able to tap into and connect with learners across geographical barriers. Mentors were also responsible for developing and implementing online engagement activities specific to the allocated group and grade assigned to.

What learners said about their online mentoring experience

Preparation for varsity life and career guidance

• "I also learned about the few experiences and expectations at university which made a huge positive impact on my mind-set."
• "How varsity is and what should we expect."
• "Varsity life, accept differences, choose degrees that are on-demand."
• "Advice for post-matric and career guidance.Varsity life and what to expect next year."
• "The value of integrity and how to be mentally and physically prepared for."

Goal setting

• "I learnt the important things u have to now in order to achieve your goals in varsity."
• "Importance (sic) of making good decisions in life and development of one's determination is big when setting and chasing your goals."
• "To set goals that will help me focus on what is important."

Opportunity for engagement

• "Showing interest in what one has to say."
• "To always participate"
• "We were given an opportunity to showcase our talents and also discussed how we can learn and talk to another."

Independence and organisation skills

• "Accountability and not always relying on teachers to tell me about homework. My learning is my responsibility."
• "To always try and be independent and always strike for the best."
• "I learnt how to keep my life in order and not let everything overwhelm me."

Respect

• "One valuable thing I've learnt is respect for myself and others."
• "I learned a quite number of things like respecting myself, self-control and knowing myself."
• "I have learnt of self-respect, taking responsibility, going for what fears you the most and being yourself."

Giving and sharing of one’s opinion

• "I learnt to also give people chances to talk and listen to one’s opinion"
• "To always share your perspective so that we are always learning from each other as a group."
• "Always voice out your opinion."
• "To always share your opinion as you may be helping someone or teaching them something new."