Rural NC pupil on cloud nine
A RURAL Northern Cape pupil, who bagged nine distinctions, was among the 33 top matriculants invited to breakfast with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga yesterday morning to celebrate their academic achievements.
Tlotlo Lekogo, who attended Baitiredi Technical and Commercial High School in Mothibistad, Kuruman, achieved her dream when she obtained distinctions in each of her nine subjects, namely Setswana Home Language, English First Additional, Mathematics, Life Orientation, Accounting, Computer Applications, Economics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences.
Speaking during an interview at the breakfast, the matriculant said she had started crying when her aunt had received the call inviting her to the traditional breakfast with the minister.
“The moment I heard them say my name I started crying, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t even talk on the phone.”
Lekogo said her grandmother had also started crying when she heard the news.
In an interview with a Johannesburg-based radio station, Lekogo said she was “super surprised to be here (at the achiever’s breakfast) and beyond excited”.
“This is something really huge for me because I didn’t expect that a pupil from the Northern Cape could ever make it here, so I am feeling a bit proud of myself.
“I did nine subjects this year, so I am expecting to get nine distinctions and a good average but now I can only still wait.”
Giving advice to this year’s matrics, Lekogo’s message was to stay humble.
“What I would say to the matrics of this year is please guys stay humble. It is so important. As much as you need to work hard and put in all the effort, staying humble will take you a long way. I always tell my peers that it would be sad to lose out on a good opportunity because you did not work hard. So try to align your goals with your work ethic and keep pushing even if it gets hard.”
Lekgobo was one of two recipients in the Northern Cape of the 2019 Siyandisa Scholarship, together with Didintle Lorapo of Galaletsang Science High School.
Lekgobo was not the only pupil at the Mothibistad-based school in Kuruman to bag an armful of distinctions, with one of her fellow pupils achieving five As, for Setswana Home Language, English First Additional, Afrikaans Second Additional, Life Orientation, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences.
Baitiredi Technical and Commercial High School is one of the biggest schools in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District and educates more than 1 000 pupils and offers among others, Mechanical Technology, Civil Technology and Technical Science as some of its subjects.
It continues to be one of the most improved schools in the Province and strives to produce well nurtured pupils that are able to venture into any desired field of study.
“Led by the motto ‘Nothing but the best’, Tlotlo appreciates the constant dedication her teachers show, in helping them perform to the best of their abilities and how they go the extra mile in ensuring that each pupil is given the necessary attention for them to do so. The school furthermore not only places its focus on academics but also seeks to develop its pupils holistically by providing a homely environment that fosters mutual respect and teamwork,” Siyandisa Scholarship said on its web page.
Each recipient of the Siyandisa Scholarship qualifies for select postgraduate bursaries as well as mentorship internship, vocational and practical programmes and employment opportunities with programme partners.
“Recipients form part of a network of exceptional candidates that will in time play a leading role in the future of South Africa.”