Two Grahamstown public school matriculants were among a handful from the Eastern Cape who travelled to East London to receive awards from the Premier's office for their excellent results.
Two Grahamstown public school matriculants were among a handful from the Eastern Cape who travelled to East London to receive awards from the Premier's office for their excellent results.
The ceremony, organised by the Provincial Department of Education and the Premier's office, took place at the East London International Convention Centre on Wednesday 7 January.
Ntsikelelo Charles, of Ntsika Secondary School, and Russell Dixon from Graeme College were the top achievers in the district in the matric class of 2014. They received bursaries worth R50 000 and R80 000 respectively.
Charles received an MEC Award presented by EC Education MEC Mandla Makupula for the second top achiever.
Dixon received the Premier's Award from Phumulo Masualle for being the top achiever.
Charles, who comes from a poor background, succeeded against all odds by achieving 94% in Physical Sciences, 88% in Life Sciences and 82% in Mathematics.
He is the recipient of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) bursary – a prestigious funding only awarded to 10 Science and Technology students in South Africa. He will be studying towards a BSc Degree at Rhodes and has chosen Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Maths as his subjects.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail this week, Charles attributed his success to a collective effort from many people in the local education fraternity – "especially Mr Mayisele (district official) and tutors from St Andrew's as well as Rhodes. Not forgetting my teachers and principal".
Charles said both his parents are unemployed and that he depends on his three sisters for support . They all work at different Grahamstown supermarkets.
"My sisters have been the best, supporting me with everything including school uniform and study material and other needs," he said.
Dixon's results are as follows: English 84%, Afrikaans 1st Additional Language 86%, Life Orientation 93%, Maths 96%, Physical Sciences 95%, Life Sciences 87% and Music 93%.
"I'm very happy because all the hard work has paid off," said Dixon. Speaking to Grocott's Mail from his Coombs Valley farm home on Thursday, Dixon said, "God has given me good talents. I work hard and I tried to use them to the best of my ability.
"Graeme college has been helpful because they provided me with everything I needed."
The 18-year-old, who likes fishing and hunting in his spare time, has been accepted at Rhodes for a Bachelor of Science Degree.
He is the child of Glyn and Sue Dixon. He is the youngest and the only son among three children.
His father farms cattle, sheep and mielies.
The bursary is for a basic degree and will cover study costs for up to R80 000 over a period of three years. Dixon isn't certain of his post-study career, but he knows he likes fishing and plans to stufy icthyology.
"I want to do what I enjoy. Maybe I'll research about fish and fish farming."
His other chosen subjects are Chemistry, Maths and Zoology.
