August 2020
By Karabo Ntanzi
Caroline Lesedi Sakiele is the founder of Caro Cares, a Non Profit Organisation that assists Grade 12 learners from disadvantaged families to prepare for their matric dance.
The dynamic twenty-two year old is from Kimberly. Her aunt and uncle adopted Sakiele at the age of five, after her mother passed on. She grew up with two elder brothers. She began her schooling at Lesego Primary School, and matriculated from Vuyolwethu High School three years ago.
She describes herself as a staunch Christian. The highlight of her youth days in church is her being an Alter Server at St Martin ‘s Lutheran Church.
Her defining moment came when she broke up with her boyfriend while she was at University. The breakup affected her so much that she asked her father to fetch her the following day. She was booked into a clinic where she was diagnosed with depression.
It was during her stay at the clinic that she decided to pursue a business idea she had had on her heart for a while; establishing a non-profit organization. Caro Cares Foundation was born.
“Thanks to technology, I facilitated the launch from the clinic which coincided with my birth month, October,” she narrated. She collaborated with a local businesswoman, Evelyn Steenkamp who happened to have the same interest. Family, friends and girls from local high schools were invited to Kimberley City Hall. Toiletries including sanitary towels were distributed. “I delivered my inauguration speech but requested my parents to vacate the hall, then revealed what actually happened on that fateful night in September when a fight broke up between myself and my then boyfriend” she said.
Her childhood dream was to become a Lawyerbut she did not meet the entry level requirements. She ended up going to varsity to “just do something” like her peers. This led her to register for a course that she did not like in Blomfontein. Sakiele hung out with the wrong crowds, partying and bunking classes. She would not go home during school holidays.
She collaborated with the Department of Education and is the current Ambassador for Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign. She hosted a number of projects such as; Heart to Heart with Caroline, “a conversation I wish I had with someone to prepare me for tertiary life,” she remarked.
The initiator of “Cover My Books Campaign”, which started in January 2019, she sourced donations for book covers. An activity which saw the floor of RC Elliot Hall spread with books and covers with learners and volunteers, this included leaners who lacked the ability or courage to cover their books.
In January 2020 the “Cover My Books Campaign” was done at her parents garage because the RC Elliot Hall had burnt down.
The Princess Campaign, is a platform used to assist learners to prepare for their Matric Dance. The public is requested to donate clothes for matric dance. She approaches salons for hair, make-up and nails to render the service free of charge or at a reduced price. Funds are also raised to cover other expenses.
Sakiele was invited to speak at the “She decides” launch, an International concept held in Johannesburg in December 2019.
The lady with many hats is also a Deputy President of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) and a member of the ANC Youth League.
When asked about her views on abortion she said, “I do not condone abortion but respect those who find themselves in that position and believe they should be able to forgive themselves”.
She is presently preparing for the launch of her sanitary towels called “Caro Cares”.
Her plan is to complete her Law degree at the University of Johannesburg, “a degree after 40 is still a degree” concluded Caroline with a smile.
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