BEATING POVERTY WITH A DEGREE
UCT student, Ntebogang Segone did not let his poor circumstances keep him from reaching his dream.
Segone graduated with a BSc recently, after receiving excellent academic results. He dedicated his graduation to his mother, Lettie Segone, “because she has always been his number one supporter through the journey. He also made it onto the Dean’s Merit List.
Segone grew up in Vuyolethu Shelters, in Kimberley, with no electricity and just three communal taps, shared between 45 shacks.
His mother also raised seven children on her own, on her domestic worker’s salary. When she lost her job, she joined a stokvel so that there was always food in the house.
Segone explains that one could say he lived a very poor life, but he feels satisfied and happy with his life.
“I’m black at the end of the day. As a black individual, you need to understand that you are here at the university to get a better job, so you can provide for your family.
“I would love to study further but in reality, as a poor person, I just don’t have the luxury,” said Segone.
Segone thrived in mathematics during his schooling years and received a distinction in matric. His results reserved him a place at UCT but he struggled to get funding for tuition, accommodation and food.
Segone approached the Northern Cape Premier’s office seeking assistance, after sharing a long working relationship with the Premier’s office, such as co-founding a tutoring programme which enabled him to secure R70 000.
Segone moved to Cape Town with the funding for his studies and was academically excluded in his first year.
His application for readmission was unsuccessful and he was placed on probation. He changed his academic programme, swopping physics for a politics and governance major.
He took full advantage of lectures, tutorials and other types of support.
He finished the probation period with an 80% average, attended two international leadership programmes, was elected president of the Black Management Forum, and finished the academic year with a 70% average.