- After a competitive selection process, Steenberg High School learner Tiarrah Watson (16) has been elected to serve on the Junior City Council (JCC) 2024.
- During her tenure, the teenager says she plans to break stereotypes and assist children in her community.
“I want change in my community and I want to be the voice for the children in my community, especially if they are not expressive enough to speak up,” said Watson.
The JCC programme, open to Grade 10 and 11 learners, aims to equip learners with the skills to become ambassadors for their city as well as leaders in their communities.
In her motivation essay, when questioned why she wanted to be on the JCC, Watson said she wanted to encourage young people to believe in themselves.
“There is a certain perception that people in Steenberg won’t make it far in life or that you need to be extremely smart,” she pointed out.
“I believe that we can all help ourselves if we are willing to and there are many opportunities presented at school and home, it just takes a child to reach for that opportunity.”
The Grade 10 learner says having a support system has helped her overcome obstacles.
“I’ve had very supportive parents and my entire family is a strong support structure, which is what I want to create for other children at school.”
Watson further plans to partner with organisations that can assist teens with making career choices.
“There is a lot of pressure to make a decision on what to do after matric.
“I would like to go into the medical field, to study at UCT or Stellenbosch University and to give back to my community because I want to help my community improve themselves,” she said.
“After achieving what you want to in life, it takes nothing to go back and help your community to try and uplift others.”
She encourages teenagers to believe in themselves, no matter where they come from or grew up.
“I’d like to inform my community about the possibilities out there.
“Their future does not end in Steenberg or Cape Town, they can achieve bigger things in life.”
Her message to the youth is to “follow your heart”.
“You can do anything you put your heart to and I believe, as long as your mind and heart are in the right place, you can achieve anything.”
Another project she is working on during her JCC tenure is to assist teenagers who feel they have no one to turn to.
“The project is for kids in my school who feel lost and have nowhere to go.
“We know that many families in Steenberg limit their kids, they think children are defined by the drugs their parents use or their brother who is a gangster.”
Commenting on the experience of meeting other young people on the JCC, the teenager says being selected is good exposure.
“I am building public speaking and leadership skills as well as how to work with groups.”
Meanwhile, Steenberg High School’s physical science teacher Jaden Corker says the teen is not afraid to voice her opinion.
“Tiarrah has always been a very outspoken and confident girl and she is not afraid to voice her opinion where it matters,” he says.
“She doesn’t only say something because she wants to but because it is a pressing issue and they need someone to be the voice and Tiarrah is that person.”
He commends the teen for always being willing to assist her peers.
“She is always willing to assist teachers, her peers and that is what we need with our politicians these days…to be there for the people they surround themselves with and the community.”
