Phulong Secondary School participated in the AECI Future Leaders Challenge during the 2025 academic year, from February to October.
The programme required learners to work in teams to identify pressing community challenges and develop sustainable business solutions to address them.
The journey that led Phulong Secondary School to national recognition began when a colleague shared an application form for the AECI Future Leaders Challenge with a learner support agent (LSA) from the Gauteng East District Office, Thatohatsi Maseko.
Recognising the value of the opportunity, Maseko encouraged the school to apply, with the aim of exposing learners to innovation, leadership, and real-world problem-solving experiences.
“Learners attended after-school workshops, received mentorship from industry professionals, and participated in a regional pitch competition. The process culminated in a three-day national boot camp for the top ten schools in the country,” said Maseko.
The workshops and regional rounds were hosted at the Gauteng Department of Education’s Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, while the national boot camp took place at the University of Johannesburg’s Sophiatown Residence.
Sibusisiwe Nyabani, Khanyisile Ngwenya, Basetsana Mokgabudi, and Thato Maseko. Photo: Thato Maseko
The awards ceremony was at a hotel in Sandton, and learners were further exposed to South Africa’s leadership legacy through educational visits to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Sanctuary.
“Learners were selected through a school-wide call for proposals. The interested learners submitted a one-page problem statement outlining a community challenge and a proposed solution.
“A selection panel consisting of teachers, the life orientation head and a community mentor shortlisted twelve learners based on creativity, feasibility, and leadership potential,” she explained.
“From this group, three learners, forming an all-girls team, represented Phulong Secondary School at the regional level. The decision to enter the programme was driven by the school’s commitment to empowering learners to become proactive problem-solvers and socially responsible citizens.”
Maseko highlighted that the focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development aligned with the school’s strategic goals of promoting critical thinking, encouraging community engagement, and preparing learners for life beyond the classroom.
The announcement of Phulong Secondary School as one of the top ten schools nationally was met with overwhelming pride and excitement.
“Learners, teachers, and parents celebrated the achievement as recognition of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance.
“The achievement also ignited renewed ambition in the school, motivating other learners to pursue similar opportunities,” she added.
Maseko said during the national boot camp, they exposed the learners to design thinking processes, business model development, leadership, ethics training, and team-building activities.
They worked intensively to refine their ideas into minimum viable products and comprehensive business plans, which they presented to a panel of AECI executives and community stakeholders.
The programme equipped learners with valuable entrepreneurial skills, including market research, financial planning, and stakeholder analysis.
“In addition, learners developed critical soft skills such as public speaking, collaboration, time management, and resilience.
“Their understanding of socio-economic challenges deepened as they learned how sustainable business solutions can positively impact communities. Each participating learner received a laptop preloaded with educational and productivity software.”
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Maseko emphasised that these tools removed technological barriers, enabled learning beyond school hours, and supported continuous engagement with digital resources.
“The laptops also instilled a sense of responsibility and confidence, allowing learners to take ownership of their learning and innovation journeys.
“Since completing the programme, the learners have shown noticeable improvements in their confidence, motivation, and academic performance.
“Participants now lead class discussions, mentor younger learners, and engage in additional academic and entrepreneurial competitions,” she said.
“Their academic results, particularly in mathematics and business studies, have improved, reflecting the positive impact of experiential learning. Beyond the learners, the experience proved valuable for educators and facilitators involved.”
The success of Phulong Secondary School in the AECI Future Leaders Challenge has become a source of inspiration in the school community. It is an example of what can be achieved when learners receive support, are challenged, and have access to meaningful opportunities.
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