Pupil perseveres to make grandfather proud
THE only father Yamkela Puza knew was his grandfather. After his parents abandoned him, it was Ntobeko Gabayi who encouraged Puza to reach for the stars. The first milestone was excellent matric results.
On the eve of Puza’s geography exam, Gabayi died and the 18-year-old could barely contain his grief. But, said Puza, he had to suppress his pain and execute the plan. This week he was rewarded with four distinctions.
Puza grew up with his grandparents and three cousins in a two-room house in Mfuleni, Cape Town. The only source of income was his grandfather’s old-age pension grant.
“The prospects of ever affording a tertiary education were left solely in my ability to perform outstandingly with the hope of getting a bursary,” said Puza.
He recalled also having to write maths after his grandfather died.
“Nothing seemed to make sense while I revised,” said the former pupil at Manzomthombo Secondary School in Mfuleni.
“Tat’Omkhulu’s passing brought a solemn mood to our household, but I had to console myself and boldly carry the burden of grief, defy the odds and restore hope to my family by persevering exam.”
He obtained distinctions in maths, science, geography and life skills.
Hilda Thobeka Puza, his grandmother, said: “What this child had done has never been seen in this family. I was not aware that all those sleepless nights would result in this.
“We are so proud of him. I know my late husband is also proud.”
Dressed in his attire from initiation school, Puza can only dream of how proud his grandfather would have been. He also remembered how Gabayi would take over his cooking chores so
throughout
the that he could study.
The next milestone is becoming a civil engineer. This year he will work as a construction engineering trainee at construction company WBHO. The job was secured through the Go for Gold education empowerment programme, which helps pupils to improve their study skills while offering them career guidance. He will start his studies next year.
“My appreciation of the design of buildings and structures, coupled with my architectural hand, is behind my career choice. From an early age, innovative drawing was my favourite pastime,” he said.