Top Pongola matric achiever jets off to the Mother City
TEARS of joy and excitement flowed when uPhongolo Mayor, Sibusiso Mhlongo, fulfilled the dream of one of Zululand district’s top matric achievers, Nonsikelelo Mathebula (17), to further her studies at the University of Cape Town.
Mathebula completed her Grade 12 at Sigqamise Secondary School.
She obtained seven As, in IsiZulu HL (90%), English first additional language (92%), mathematics (94%), life orientation (87%), accounting (99%), life sciences (93%) and physical science (99%).
She was also the top accounting achiever in the province despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Accompanied by her ward 12 councillor, Sizwe Ndlangamandla and older sister, Khethiwe Mathebula, Nonsikelelo jetted off from OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday.
She said this was an exceptional time in her life.
‘I want to make my mother and family proud and change the living conditions at home.’
She said she was going to study towards an actuarial science degree.
Mayor Mhlongo offered financial aid to pay for her travelling costs, registration and accommodation fees. ‘We want to fulfil the dreams of our students who wish to further their studies and change their situations at home. We have taken the decision to lend a hand to needy students.
‘If our students are not approved for ‘NSFAS funding, we assist them, even those who are already enrolling at an institution. NSFAS only provides 70% funding and we took a resolution that we would fund the balance. ‘We also have a programme for helping students who have completed their academic courses but cannot obtain their qualifications because they still owe money to the institutions,’ Mhlongo said.