In a community too often defined by its challenges, the next generation deserves to be defined by its potential. The Junior Gentlemen and Leading Lady's Club has been created to remind our young people that greatness begins with the small daily choices they make; showing respect, accepting responsibility, pursuing excellence, and becoming role models for those who follow. Every hero was once a child who simply believed they could become more. Yesterday, another generation took its first step on that journey.
The Junior Gentleman and Leading Lady’s Club, launched at Blackheath Primary school yesterday, 30 July 2026, is an extra-curricular club and the brain-child of Educator, Ainshley Miller and his team of passionate educators. “We felt that we needed to empower our learners to become the kind of role models which is often lacking in our communities. The program of the club involves 12 workshop-style modules of about 30 minutes each, which will be held once a month after school hours. The content of the workshops is listed below.
Each workshop will also contain a short inspirational talk by an existing hero who has been profiled by our media partner The Raven Report. Today we were honoured by the presence of South African MMA National Champion, Xavier Cornelius, who surprised the club by sharing his powerful journey with them.
Another surprise at the event today, was that among the club's first members is a South African junior Blackball (Pool) Champion, Tashrique Pietersen, who will soon have the honour of representing his country at the International Blackball Federation World Championships in Cape Town from 23 October to 1 November. This sets the scene perfectly for Xavier’s World IMMAF bid which kicks off on 1 November in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Their achievements serve as a powerful reminder to every young person in our community, that excellence knows no postcode, and that dreams can begin in our own communities before taking their place on the world stage.
Blackheath Primary School Principal, Elroy Pillay lauded the initiative. “I am so proud of the educators at the school who came up with this initiative, it is so empowering and it will go a long way to ensure that the future of our communities will be guided by these young gentlemen and ladies who have the right inspirational mind-set.”
Ainshley added: “We would like to invite educators and other schools in our communities to launch their own chapters of the Junior Gentleman and Lady’s Club. They are welcome to contact me to discuss their participation.
Contact Ainshley at millerainshley@gmail.com
