Making time for serving the community
INSPIRED by the mentorship of her late grandfather, a 2019 matriculant from Joburg’s Kingsmead College worked hard during high school to serve the community.
Naseeha Jhavary went above and beyond to give back to the community: The 18-year-old completed 500 hours of service.
Jhavary told The Star she was awarded The President’s Award for Service. She was also a school leader, and captain of the squash and wind band team.
“I always try to make time for service, because it is just so rewarding in itself, so it wasn’t just the hours that were rewarding,” she said.
She said her acts of service provided her with the opportunity to meet people from different communities, play with children and babies, pack food hampers and volunteer her time at old-age homes.
“My late grandfather was my mentor and inspiration, and he instilled in me the values of hard work and giving back to society,” she said.
Jhavary said the most difficult time during high school was when her grandfather died during her Grade 11 year.
“After my grandfather passed away, I missed a month of school to be with my family. It did affect my Grade 11 year, and it was a challenge to get back on track, but I was determined to work hard and keep my grandfather’s legacy alive,” she said.
She achieved seven distinctions. In following her grandfather’s footsteps, Jhavary said she intended to enrol at the University of the Witwatersrand and study for a law degree.
“I want to add a finance major, so I can also become a successful entrepreneur like my grandfather,” she said.
She said she wanted to go to Wits to follow in the footsteps of her older twin sisters, Husnaa and Humnaaz, who achieved eight distinctions when they matriculated in 2017.
“My sisters said they met a lot of people, so I’m looking forward to that, as well as a bit of freedom, because there are fewer subjects and you get to do what you love,” she said.