Solar Community Hub Mamaila – Natasha’s Story

Zuri Foundation first met Natasha Moila at Sephukubje Primary School, where they had invited learners to participate in a one-page essay writing competition. Participants could choose from three topics: My Cultural Heritage, Technology and Education are Friends, or Online Safety. Natasha’s essay stood out for its thoughtful focus on the importance of staying safe online—especially for learners of her age. At the prize-giving ceremony in 2025, hosted at the Mamaila Solar Community Hub (SCH), Natasha was one of the winners. Her parents were proud and immediately saw the value in helping her make the most of the laptop she had won.

My name is Natasha Moila. I am 12 years old and a Grade 7 learner at Sephukubje Primary School in Sephukubje village. If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m quite talkative—but I also have a sweet side. During my free time, I enjoy reading novels, and honestly, reading is one of my favourite things to do.

I’m someone who likes following instructions and doing what’s expected of me. My favourite subject is English, because I find it easy to speak and understand. Some might ask, “But what about your home language, Sepedi?” Well, the Sepedi we speak at home and in our community is not always the same as the one we use at school, so I’ve grown to appreciate English more in the classroom setting. One day, I hope to become a lawyer and make my dream a reality.

 

Since Natasha’s village is about 9 kilometres from the hub, she isn’t able to visit during the school term—but thanks to the support of her parents, she has been attending regularly during school holidays. She started off with digital literacy activities to help her get comfortable navigating a computer. On her third day at the lab, she was introduced to Scratch using cue cards, and she’s been thoroughly enjoying the experience. Natasha has also shared her desire to learn more about how to use the internet effectively—while staying safe online.

The SCH in Mamaila is funded by Dell Technologies and SITA.