From poor background to Wits University

DESPITE living in an informal settlement without electricity, Vuyane Mokhaba went on to obtain four distinctions in his matric exams.

“I made use of the best thing I had, which was time. We can’t all have money, but we all have equal time. I used my time productively, my background motivated me.

“My mother is unemployed, she braids hair to make a living. My father got a job only in November. I grew up with a deep desire to change this situation.”

Mokhaba, 19, is Iketleetso High School’s top learner, having scored distinctions in Accounting, 95%, as well as English, Economics and Maths. Mokhaba, who lives in Lethabong, ko Mabitleng schools in the area.

Makinita, 18, obtained three distinctions, in Accounting, Maths Literacy and Life Orientation.

The two Lethabong top achievers were each presented with a R5 000 cheque by councillor Pako Molatlhegi of ward 28 in the Rustenburg municipality. “We want to make education fashionable in Lethabong and started by awarding top learners in an attempt to encourage other learners to do better.

“As a councillor I was previously contacted by learners who were accepted at universities but did not have money for transport. The community decided to use the trust account to assist in education matters, that is why today we presented two learners with R5 000 each,” Molatlhegi said.

Both Mokhaba and Makinita said respecting teachers and doing school work was their best-kept secret.

“If you want to do well at the end of your Grade 12, start well at Grade 8, continue to do so in the next grades until Grade 12,” Mokhaba said.

While Makinita, who was described as a naughty but disciplined pupil by teachers at Rethusegile, said hard work started with respecting teachers.

“Do not rely on friends to work for you, because if you just copy their work you will not be able to do well in an examination. Always remember that you are on your own in an exam room,” he told pupils at Rethusegile as the schools reopened.

Mokhaba is set to study Accountancy Science at Wits University while Makinita will study Social Science at UCT. | African News Agency (ANA)

about 40km north-east of Rustenburg in North West, said he had benefited from group study, even though it meant he had to brave the night to go to friends’ homes to study.His family moved to Lethabong Gardens – also known as(at the cemetery) because it is situated closer to a graveyard – in 2017.The move meant he could not study at home as the area lacked electricity.Mokhaba and a pupil from Rethusegile High School, Lesogo Makinita, were honoured for their hard work on Wednesday, to mark the opening of VUYANE Mokhaba of Lethabong near Rustenburg in North West obtained four distinctions in his matric examination, despite living in an area without electricity and being born in a poor family. His ward councillor donated R5 000 towards his university studies. | AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA)