Brian aced half a dozen but he’s unable to get a bursary

BRIAN Mthembu has scored six distinctions but he is concerned he might not be able to study Bcom accounting at Wits University because he has no money.

This 17-year-old pupil from Lamula Jubilee Secondary School in Meadowlands, could not get a bursary after being turn down twice by several companies.

Brian is one of the top pupils in Soweto, with distinctions in maths, life sciences, physical science, isizulu, life orientation and geography. He scored 73 percent for English.

“I hope something good will come my way,” he said.

Brian lives with his sister in the Joburg CBD while their mother resides in Newcastle, Kwazulu-natal. He told The Star his wish was to find his father, who he has never met.

“I wish to see him. Hopefully one day he’ll witness my achievements,” he said.

“Township schools are far cheaper than those in town. I wasn’t going to afford the fees in town,” said Brian.

He was offered accommodation by his Grade 11 maths teacher, Patrick Mudau, after the school turned down his request to spend the night in the classroom.

“Town is an unpleasant place for studying,” he said.

Mudau added: “He was determined to do well from day one. He studied from 1am till 4am before preparing himself for school. He would later resume after 8pm.”

The school achieved 72 percent pass rate, after its woeful 46 percent in 2010.

“There’s no turning back from here. We did extremely well,” said principal Daniel Sehlangu.