Sundaymail Editor
Gondayi Anvil Marange
EARLY this year, I was appointed head boy at Direct Contact High School in Harare.
I am a couple of months in the esteemed position but I have already learnt a lot of stuff.
I must admit, being a leader has taught me a lot of life skills that I am sure I will be able to make use of, even after I leave school.
I am currently in my final stage of high school and will soon be graduating, going for university and subsequently getting employed or starting my own business venture.
But before I became a student leader, I lacked certain qualities which at times made me doubt if I could make an impact outside high school confines.
However, things have since changed.
I am now more confident in myself and have since acquired leadership skills that I strongly believe will be helpful in future.
I am still learning and will continue doing so even after I finish school as I want to be exemplary to my peers and those younger than me.
Leadership skills are acquired and developed and that is exactly what I am currently doing.
Through a number of activities that we conduct at school, I believe I am now well equipped to deal with real life challenges.
I interact with several students on a daily basis and that has been an eye-opener as it has helped me understand some of the challenges students go through, both at home and school.
Most of the issues affect their school work and I am playing a part in making sure that they get the necessary attention.
My position at school is not about power over students, but power for the learners as I represent them without fear or favour.
Being the bridge that connects students and staff members, and vice versa, I need to have good relations with both sides.
And this can only be achieved by respecting others, being a good listener, being fair and above all having self-respect.
I would also like to highlight that my task has been made easy by the assistance that I am getting from my team, which consists of prefects and my deputies.
Through teamwork, nothing has been impossible. I cannot thank them enough for the support.
Maybe some will ask if I ever dreamt of becoming a head boy.
Yes, I did!
When I was still in Form One, I used to admire our then head boy. He would listen to us each time we engaged him with issues requiring his attention or that of staff members.
He did not dismiss us on the basis that we were high school beginners.
His humble approach inspired me a lot and I always hoped to be a good leader if ever I got the chance. However, I never thought it would be possible for me to be chosen as head boy since I believed there were other students that equally deserved the position.
What I knew though and was confident about is the fact that I was one day going to lead, in whatever capacity.
This opportunity has given me the chance to become the best version of myself.
Gondayi Anvil Marange is an Upper Six student and head boy at Direct Contact High School in Harare.
Students can write short poems/stories or about special events at their schools and send to [email protected]
Online Reporter