Choosing to lead

Mariselle StofbergSODA (School of Destiny Associates) Consultancy identified a gap of character-building programmes at schools and started the iChoose Programme, which provides practical tools of self-awareness, self-discipline/leadership skills and character building. They believe it will help learners to navigate through their own lives towards making appropriate daily choices, and eventually reach their full potential in life. The iChoose Leadership Programme is comprised of 16 lessons spread out over four units with the goal of helping teenagers learn leadership values such as choices, responsibility, relationships, resilience and teaching them how to apply them to their own lives, by facilitating peer roundtable talks. Sidney Boois is a certified Independent John Maxwell Speaker, trainer and coach, and through his consultancy SODA (as well as Associate Mentors & Coaches (AMC), he solicits partnerships to roll out programmes such as the iChoose Leadership Programme.“The programme focuses on core values such as choices, responsibility, resilience, character, priorities and attitude and will include both genders to enhance interpersonal skills,” Boois says. SODA Consultancy, in collaboration with B.O.S.S Riders Club, which comprises of at least 21 bikers, will launch a new Boys Care programme where they hope to visit schools on Fridays for an hour-long ‘Boys’ Talk’ with 20 to 50 participants on their iChoose Leadership Programme. The first event will take place on 12 February at Ella du Plessis High School, Windhoek. “We also have the Camp Campus programme in Bethanie which started in 2015 with high school learners through tutoring and career expos, and at least three students were assisted with bursaries through the programme. “The same programme set up a Community Information Centre (CiC) in Bethanie in partnership with the Bethanie village council and community, Telecom Namibia, FNB Namibia and Hollard Namibia. The centre is managed by the local youth as volunteers who also implemented livelihood projects such as producing pallet furniture,” Boois says. They also conduct motivational talks at high schools around Windhoek and in the Hardap and //Karas regions under SODA Consultancy. “Through BOSS Riders Club we also facilitate Boys’ Talks as well. BOSS is an acronym for boundaries, order, support and structure.”Boois adds that the programme has a peer-to-peer element to encourage learners to engage in conversation. “The programme is overseen by trained facilitators on the iChoose Values Leadership Guide, to ensure programme implementation reduces the risks of manipulation of process. The programme is subject to monitoring and evaluation, for adjustment and or alignment to ensure intended objectives are realised.”Through the programme, participants have in-depth discussions on the importance of choices and taking ownership of your choices. “Our lives might start without choices, considering that we don’t choose which background we come from, but making better and informed choices in life could place you in charge of your destiny and even allow you venture unchartered grounds,” Boois adds. “I would continually encourage the youth to meaningfully get involved firstly in their own lives and familiarise themselves with their communities. Get involved in volunteer programmes/projects in your communities, sign up with Namibia Red Cross Society and other government projects, which is a tool to build strong values and character, and at the same time gain both life and work experience,” he says.

Choosing to lead

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-11

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Choosing to lead

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-11

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