Pontsho Manaka, 14, of Vosloorus, loves reading and singing R ’n B songs. She enjoys spending time with her best friend, who sounds like great company. Pontsho says she loves herself, which is a good way to feel. Her ambition is to be a tourist, but she doesn’t say where she would like to go. We suggest touring South Africa first, as there are so many fascinating and beautiful places to visit, not forgetting our treasured wildlife in the game parks.

A gift is the meaning of Reabetswe Sodu’s first name. Aged 14, and from Wonderkop, Reabetswe writes: “I belong to a group that makes birthday cards for HIV-positive children, and buys them cakes and juice. We are also involved with charity work to prevent animal cruelty, because animals are important. My mission is to make HIV-positive children feel special about themselves, and be happy. I think I was born to do this, because love is a gift from God, and I use this gift to makes others happy.”