University of the Free State (UFS) student, Pfarelo Maphangula, was recently recognised at the Youth Legacy Excellence Awards held at the Alberton Civic Centre.

The Youth Legacy Excellence Awards acknowledge and honour exceptional youth in Ekurhuleni who are nominated in the categories of Arts and Culture, Health, Media and Entertainment, Justice and Law, Business and Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Civil Society and Youth Activism, Politics and Governance, Skills Development, Science, Innovation and Technology Environment, and Sports.

“Seeing how even small efforts can transform lives inspired me to dedicate my time to philanthropy, focusing on creating better access to opportunities for young people like me,” Maphangula says. The philanthropic influence during his upbringing ignited his passion. However, as with any journey, he faced challenges in balancing time, resources, and commitments. His most significant hurdle was securing adequate funding for his projects, which occasionally led him to question the impact of his efforts

Among many, the one project that is Maphangula’s greatest source of pride is the ‘Instilling Innovative Mindsets in the Society’ project. It aims to enhance education by teaching young people computer literacy skills and website design, how to read, and how to play chess. Maphangula says, “Seeing the academic improvement and personal growth of the majority of these learners has been incredibly rewarding.”

Maphangula expressed his deep gratitude for the recognition, stating that it validates the importance of his efforts and serves as a motivation to continue making a positive impact. His journey in philanthropy has been driven by a passion for helping others, particularly young people, and a belief in the power of education and opportunity. Maphangula's story is a testament to the potential of individuals to make a difference in their communities. His dedication, perseverance, and commitment to social justice have earned him well-deserved recognition and admiration.