Tlotlo Lekgoba from Kuruman in the Northern Cape, dreams of honouring all those who have inspired her dreams and helped shape her into the determined young lady she is today.
A 2019 Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship recipient, her passion for school and studying is what lead her to achieve a 95% average and obtain nine distinctions in the 2019 matric exams, she says. What this mathematics buff from Baitiredi Technical and Commercial High School enjoys most, however, are conundrums and challenges that the subject brings with it, which has enabled her to take participate in the South African Mathematics Olympiad three years in a row. In addition, she went on to achieve 97% for Mathematics in her final exams.
“My love for mathematics has further been inspired and fostered by my Mathematics teacher, who was always willing to go above expectations and deliver our lessons in interesting and helpful ways.”
Ever since she had been in Grade 10 it was her dream to achieve a full-house of nine distinctions in matric, Tlotlo recalls. She admits, however, that despite her determination and intellect, she believed that accomplishing such a feat would be far too difficult and only possible for those from more advantaged schools.
There were other challenges too which constantly presented themselves, threatening to hinder her progress.
“Every morning I had to wake up early and use public transport to be at school by 7am, and then had to take a taxing 5km walk back home every afternoon.”
Circumstances such as this, added to that of being raised in a single parented and low-income household, sometimes proved difficult to overcome, she reflects. Regardless Tlotlo managed to achieve excellent results.
She plans to study towards a degree in Actuarial Science at the University of the Free State, in the hope that this will one day enable her to honour her family by going on to obtain a Doctorate degree in the same field of study. “A PhD will be my way of showing my appreciation and thanking them for the support they have always provided.”
She further hopes to one day be accepted into the Actuarial Society of South Africa to enable her to travel around the globe and further broaden her horizons.
“One day I want to be able to empower and encourage high school students from my community by proving that through education, one is able to build a better future for oneself, and at the same time develop skills and knowledge that could one day make a significant contribution in propelling South Africa onto the world stage.”
“Obtaining this scholarship has not only given me hope that my dream is in fact possible, but it has also increased my opportunities for a better future, beginning with achieving success in matric and then securing my place at university. The Siyandisa Foundation made a small township girl’s wildest dream possible”, the young dynamo concludes