VIA (channel 147) on DSTV is currently broadcasting a documentary on a Stellenbosch mentorship programme, which ran from 2007 to 2016.
The hour-long documentary titled Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories documents the Rachel’s Angels initiative which was aimed at uplifting students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. This was according to Ricardo Smart, a former mentor at the program and current PhD candidate at the institution of wine biotechnology at Stellenbosch University (SU).
“In the times we’re living in we can find inspiration through seeing how focused intervention and support can make an enormous difference in people’s lives – and that the multiplying effect thereof can create a tangible contribution to communities and society,” said Jaco Loubser about the importance of broadcasting Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories. Loubser is the executive producer of Homebrew Films, the production company behind Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories. PHOTO: Keanan Hemmonsbey
“[SU] students act as mentors for mentees, who are high school learners in grades 11 and 12. Rachel’s Angels create a platform for mentees to grow academically while also broadening their life skills,” said Smart via email communication with MatieMedia.
The documentary presents 14 stories from 14 mentors and mentees, portraying how the Rachel’s Angels initiative affected their lives, according to Jaco Loubser, executive producer of Homebrew Films, the production company behind Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories.
“It was important to get inspiration from a few mentors and mentees to understand what the [Rachel’s Angels] programme meant to them and how it helped them in their lives,” said Loubser.
The Rachel’s Angels initiative came to an end in its original form in 2016 and now “focuses on coding opportunities for students”, according to Loubser.
The Angels
The mentors of the Rachel’s Angels initiative help to guide mentees through their final high school years, show mentees around SU, as well as help them find bursaries to study at SU, according to Monique Mortlock, a former mentee in the initiative.
“It’s thanks to the [Rachel’s Angels] program that I got offered a bursary at Stellenbosch University,” said Mortlock. “It enabled me to study what I wanted to study without that financial burden on my parents because they would have never been able to afford sending me to university.”
AUDIO: Monique Mortlock discusses how the mentors and mentees continue to give back in their personal capacity. AUDIO: Keanan Hemmonsbey
The Rachel’s Angels initiative made tangible differences in the lives of those involved, according to Smart.
“As mentors, we had the honour of hosting several tutoring sessions for the mentees. Consequently, the grades of our mentees and their confidence in academics increased significantly. I recall how proud we were as mentors when our mentees passed matric with outstanding grades and were accepted to university for tertiary studies,” said Smart.
The trailer to Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories. VIDEO: Supplied/Cameron Botma
The stories told in the documentary are about hope and inspiring hope in the next generation, said Sanet Olivier, director of Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories.
“An important message is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter how out of control your circumstances feel, you can change your own life by making the correct decisions and grabbing the right opportunities,” said Olivier.
The viewing times for Rachel’s Angels: Inspirasiestories. INFOGRAPHIC: Keanan Hemmonsbey.