‘I studied to look after my family’
THE drive to uplift his family has seen a Uitenhage pupil walk away with the top matriculant title for his area.
Molly Blackburn Senior Secondary School matriculant Akhona Zenani, 18, of KwaNobuhle township, told yesterday how his desire to provide for his family had led him to discard his social life and focus on his studies.
A township top achiever award issued by the provincial Education Department, a trophy and a R50 000 bursary bore testament to his hard work paying off, he said.
“Although I was not surprised I had passed, the margins by which I did so have been gratifying,” Zenani said.
His six distinctions will pave the way for him to fulfil his dream of studying towards an electrical engineering degree at Wits University.
Principal Kholisile Ngqondi said Zenani’s dogged determination had seen the pupil dominate academically throughout last year.
“Akhona had his eye on the prize and never lost focus on what he wanted to accomplish. We are excited for this humble young man,” the principal said.
Zenani’s elated aunt, Andiswa, 35, revealed the star pupil’s mother eked out a living through piece jobs.
“She does whatever work is available to support her three children. There are nine of us, including Akhona, under one roof and we all rely on my parents’ pension money,” she said.
Zenani will be the first member of his family to go to university.
“I want to provide for my family when I finish my studies,” he said.