KEETMANSHOOP – Reverend Jan Scholtz last week facilitated a leadership skills development training workshop for 12 learners’ representative council members from the Angra Pequena Senior Secondary School in Lüderitz.
During the capacity-building intervention, topics such as mental leadership, effective communication skills and conflict resolution were discussed.
“The objectives of this workshop are to equip you, as junior leaders, with the required skills and knowledge to enable you to fulfil your obligations as leaders at the school and society level, and to encourage you to take initiative in the development of programmes for the social and personal well-being of others,” Scholtz, who was also the former //Kharas Regional Council chairperson, explained to the group.
He reminded the learners that the tremendous responsibility of leadership can only come from those showing great potential.
“No matter what you have learned so far, today, the clock goes back to zero. Your leadership will be learned and earned only on your approach to it,” Scholtz emphasised.
The man of the cloth furthermore reasoned that a responsible leader should be a person of integrity, who concerns him/herself with the job he or she is expected to be doing. He also said, as LRC members, the participants are leaders making decisions that directly affect others’ lives, the organisation and society.
“With this extraordinary workshop, designed to empower and enrich every participant through different leadership literatures, I pray that you use this opportunity to the best of your ability and further use it as a tool to benefit those with whom you interact,” Scholtz concluded.
Approached for comment by New Era, Ayanda Nembungu, one of the trainees, said the most important aspect she learned during the workshop was empathy.
“Through this, you might understand why a learner is always coming late to school due to, for example, household problems,” she explained.
Nembungu also said another valuable characteristic of a good leader is that of exercising teamwork.
“It is only when great minds come together that success can be guaranteed,” she emphasised.
Sakeus Hamunyela, another LRC member, opined that one of the principles a leader must follow is how to interact towards a challenging situation experienced in life. “It deals more with how you can positively impact or influence your fellow learners, who look up to you as their leader,” he added.
Hamunyela suggested there should be establishments of a counselling committee at the school premises.
“By doing so, I believe those learners suffering from emotional distress, as well as issues like peer pressure and substance abuse, can receive professional assistance, support and guidance towards improving their social behaviour,” he explained.