Influenced By: Tshegofatso Somo
Tshegofatso Somo, the Founder and CEO of Versatile Mentorship Hub, has always had a passion for helping others succeed. Her journey into mentorship was inspired by her own experiences in high school, where she benefitted from guidance and support from professionals. Tshegofatso holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), and her career has been heavily influenced by a desire to bridge the gap between information and access for learners, particularly those who are not top achievers. She firmly believes that mentorship can change lives and is dedicated to creating spaces where young people can thrive.
The Power of Paying it Forward
Tshegofatso’s inspiration for becoming a mentor began when she herself was mentored. Reflecting on her high school years, she recalls meeting a woman named Balebetje Zondi, who went out of her way to provide academic and career guidance. “She basically went above and beyond to the point where she would go through content work with me until I understood, and therefore helped me prepare for my exams,” Tshegofatso shared. This act of kindness not only shaped her own success but sparked a desire to give back by creating platforms for other learners to receive similar support.
Beyond this personal experience, Tshegofatso noticed a disparity in the information available to top achievers versus average-performing learners. She explains, “I realized that there’s a huge gap between average-performing learners and the information they’re getting… That made me realize I needed to find a way to assist in closing the gap.” This realization laid the foundation for the creation of Versatile Mentorship Hub, which aims to connect learners with mentors who can guide them through academic and career decisions.
What Makes a Good Mentee
When asked about the most important qualities she looks for in a mentee, Tshegofatso is clear: willingness to do the work. “When you have someone who is willing to do the work, it becomes very easy to work with them,” she emphasizes. For her, this quality makes the mentorship process smoother and more rewarding, as both parties are actively engaged. A good mentee doesn’t require constant reminders and is eager to apply the advice and resources provided by their mentor. This kind of proactive approach is crucial for success in any mentorship relationship.
Tailoring Mentorship to Individual Needs
One of Tshegofatso’s strengths as a mentor is her ability to adapt her approach to the unique needs of each mentee. She takes a holistic view, understanding that different areas of a mentee’s life—academic, personal, and career—are interconnected. “I always consider the holistic individual because I understand that most areas of our lives overlap… If your mental health is not in the right place, it would be difficult for anyone to reach any of their goals,” she notes. By addressing not only academic concerns but also emotional well-being, she ensures her mentees receive comprehensive support that helps them succeed in multiple areas of life.
Challenges and Guiding Mentees Through Them
Many of Tshegofatso’s mentees face common challenges such as balancing schoolwork with other aspects of life and making informed decisions about their future careers. She often encounters students who are unsure of what courses to pursue after high school or are influenced by misconceptions from friends and family. Her approach is to provide accurate information and encourage self-reflection. “I try to provide accurate information and also encourage them to explore their passions and align them with their studies,” she explains.
Exam technique is another area where many mentees struggle, and Tshegofatso is proactive in helping them develop strategies to improve their performance. She also recognizes that many students need guidance on time management, and she works with them to create study plans that balance academic and personal commitments.
A Mentee Success Story: Sanelisiwe Maseko
One of the most rewarding experiences of Tshegofatso’s mentoring career is her work with a mentee named Sanelisiwe Maseko. Sanelisiwe, who was in Grade 11 when she joined the Versatile Mentorship Programme, has grown tremendously under Tshegofatso’s guidance. “I mentored her from when she was in high school, and I have seen an immense growth not only in her academics but also on a holistic level,” she recalls proudly. Sanelisiwe went on to become part of the executive team at Versatile Mentorship Hub and is now pursuing her Honours in Education at the University of the Free State. Tshegofatso’s mentorship empowered Sanelisiwe to thrive both academically and professionally, and their relationship continues to flourish.
Continuous Growth as a Mentor
For Tshegofatso, being a mentor is a dynamic role that requires ongoing learning. She has mentors for different areas of her own life and continuously seeks to improve by reading and learning from other professionals. “I have a good support structure and this helps in ensuring that I’m able to fill my cup so that I can fill other people’s cups as well,” she says. Keeping in touch with former mentees also allows her to stay attuned to the evolving challenges they face and learn from their experiences.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
Mentorship, according to Tshegofatso, is more than just imparting knowledge—it’s about understanding people. Emotional intelligence (EI) plays a critical role in this. “Mentorship involves dealing with people of different personalities, backgrounds, and goals,” she explains. Developing empathy and self-awareness has allowed her to connect deeply with her mentees and guide them effectively. She continues to hone her EI by actively listening to feedback, being open-minded, and learning from the experiences of those around her.
Setting Boundaries in Mentorship
Setting boundaries in a mentor-mentee relationship is essential for maintaining a healthy dynamic, something Tshegofatso learned through experience. “Being a mentor at a young age, I believed that I needed to do whatever it takes to be there for my mentees, even if it meant compromising myself,” she admits. Over time, she realized that clear communication about what she can and cannot do is crucial. By establishing expectations early on, she ensures that both she and her mentees understand their roles and responsibilities, allowing for a more productive relationship.
Advice for Aspiring Mentors
For those who aspire to become mentors but are unsure where to start, Tshegofatso offers simple yet profound advice: “Being a mentor means being able to share your experiences so they can be able to make someone’s experiences better.” She believes that mentorship doesn’t require you to be at the pinnacle of success—if you have experiences that can benefit others, you are already capable of mentoring. Tshegofatso encourages people to start informally, whether by offering guidance to interns at work, younger students, or community members, and to always approach mentorship with the desire to make a positive difference.
Tshegofatso Somo’s journey as a mentor is a testament to the power of guidance, empathy, and paying it forward. Through her work at Versatile Mentorship Hub, she has created a platform for young learners to access information and opportunities that can shape their futures. Her approach to mentorship, grounded in emotional intelligence and a holistic understanding of individual needs, continues to inspire and uplift those around her.
About the Mentor
Tshegofatso Somo is the Founder and CEO of Versatile Mentorship Hub, a company dedicated to providing mentorship and guidance to young people in the education industry. With a Bachelor of Accounting Science from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), she has applied her academic background to her passion for mentoring high school learners, university students, and young professionals. Through her work, Tshegofatso aims to bridge the gap between academic performance and access to valuable career information, helping mentees make informed decisions about their future. She is driven by her belief in the power of mentorship to uplift and inspire others.
Stay connected with Tshegofatso Somo on LinkedIn and Versatile Mentorship Hub on Instagram.
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Through Versatile Mentorship Hub, Tshegofatso Somo continues to pay forward the generosity that once shaped her own future, helping others reach their full potential with compassion, guidance, and purpose.