“Work with what you have and make the most of it.” These are words of inspiration from Sakhumzi Nobebe, winner of Grahamstown district’s Top Achiever Award in the disadvantaged schools category for his outstanding performance in the 2009 matric exams.
“Work with what you have and make the most of it.” These are words of inspiration from Sakhumzi Nobebe, winner of Grahamstown district’s Top Achiever Award in the disadvantaged schools category for his outstanding performance in the 2009 matric exams.
Nobebe, who achieved three distinctions for his efforts, recently joined other top achievers in the province as they celebrated the fruits of their labour in an awards ceremony at the Christian Centre in East London. The event was hosted by Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet and Eastern Cape Education ME C Mahlubandile Qwase on 11 January.
The achievers received certificates and bursaries and Nobebe says he is thrilled with the bursary he received for further study at an institution of his choice. “I am very happy about getting this award and for the bursary,” he said.
Nobebe attended Velile High School in Bathurst, which is one of many disadvantaged schools in the Eastern Cape that does not have a laboratory, library or many teaching resources. Surprisingly, the school’s matric pass rate has increased from 30% in previous years to 70% this year.
Principal Wendy Mfazwe says the reason for the improvement is “a good working relationship between students, teachers and parents”. Mfazwe says Nobebe is an example of success against all odds. Nobebe says his main advice to other learners is to start studying early in the year and to study in small groups.
He says he is looking forward to going to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to study radiography. “I would like to thank my mother, the teachers at school and my late grandmother for the big role they played in my life.”
