He’s best known for his role as troublesome Thabo “Tbose” Maputla on SABC1’s Skeem Saam, who currently finds himself on the wrong side of the law for the second time after a confrontation turned bloody. In real life though, Cornet Mamabolo is nothing like his character.
The 27-year-old actor is passionate about education, particularly in his birth province Limpopo. With his foundation, Cornet M Foundation (CMF), joining forces with the Redfest Science Centre and other stakeholders to create the Rural Education Festival Cornet is determined to bring about change to learners in rural areas.
The festival – which aims to celebrate science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation – will be hosting activities across different rural districts in Limpopo with the purpose of creating a fun and festive mood while making science accessible as a recreational activity.
Speaking to DRUM, Cornet explains why his foundation specifically chose rural areas to be the benefactor to this project.
“The idea comes from having observed a few other programmes that are developed and how most individuals and institutions focus on specific markets,” he explained.
“There are a lot of projects that happen in townships and in suburbs that usually focus on learners who do well at school, but what about the learners who live in rural areas and what about those who don’t perform well in school and are being side-lined and made to feel they will never amount to anything?”
The actor added that Limpopo wasn’t doing well on educational levels and he believes this is because of learners who are being taught under trees and are mostly failing technical subjects.
With education being close to his heart, Cornet reveals that after completing matric he faced challenges while studying further.
“My background in education is a very complex one. After passing Ggrade 12 I went to Wits [University] to study performing arts but after my second year I dropped out due to finances. I managed to raise funds and went back to do my third year.
“After passing that I dropped out and put my honours degree on hold, but I’ve also studied in the insurance space and I’m currently studying insurance risk management at the Milpark Business School.”
The actor, who is also a broker and administrator in the financial sector, urges South Africans to give wherever they can and says support from different stakeholders would help in making his dream of advancing education in rural areas a reality.
“People who have textbooks, laptops and computers they no longer use can assist us by donating these items so we can introduce these to learners at an early age.”
The Rural Education Festival is set to take place across Limpopo from 7 to 11 May and is expected to reach over 52 000 people.
