From 62 Signatures to Action: The Work Has Begun

Hello to everyone who supported this petition. 🙏

I hope this message finds you all in good health, good spirits and in good conditions wherever you are.

First and foremost, thank you. ❤️

Thank you to every person who took a moment to read the petition, understood the problem I was trying to raise, signed it, shared it with others, or simply supported the vision in any way

When I started the petition “Build a National School-to-Opportunity Transition System for Every South African Learner,” the goal was to raise awareness about a problem that affects many young people after matric: the gap between completing school and actually accessing further education and opportunities.

We have now reached 62 signatures. 🙏

But I don't want those signatures to simply remain a number on a petition.

I am now taking the ideas behind this campaign into practice through the School-to-Opportunity Access & Career Navigation Programme (SOCANP) — a community-led programme focused on helping learners navigate tertiary applications, registration, funding opportunities and the barriers that often prevent them from moving forward after matric.

As part of this next stage, we are beginning our first practical pilot around Tshwane North College (TNC).

Learners from the Phake Rankaila community have already expressed interest in studying at TNC, and an initial group has been formed as we prepare for a proposed visit to the college.

The purpose of the visit is to help learners physically access an institution, understand their opportunities, receive guidance through the application process and address practical barriers that can prevent them from applying.

The initiative is being structured so that participating learners can access the trip and planned support without having to carry the financial burden themselves, including transport, lunch and printing/application support.

We are currently engaging with TNC to establish the arrangements for the visit, including the date, number of learners, required documents and how the college can assist us.

This is still the beginning.

The petition called for a national school-to-opportunity transition system.

SOCANP is now beginning to test what that transition support can look like at community level, with real learners and real barriers.

To everyone who signed, shared and supported this petition:

Thank you.

Your support helped move this conversation forward.

Now the work continues — from advocacy, to implementation.

Yours truly 

John kutumela 

🫀 From school. To opportunity. Together.