“A girl with bigger dreams. A girl with the confidence that she will succeed in life. I am not just a normal girl.”
This is how the head girl of Malvern Primary and the recipient of the Ruth First Scholarship, Boitumelo Langa, describes herself.
“She is the cut above the rest. A child that is good and willing to work hard. A humble child who gets along with everyone,” said her teacher and the head of department for Senior Maths Science and Technology, Mr Mervin Naik.
Boitumelo is one of 10 pupils who were announced as the recipients of the Ruth First Scholarship, which is offered by Jeppe High School for Girls.
The scholarship is named after a struggle icon, academic, writer and a wife to the first democratic South African Minister of Housing, Mr Joe Slovo.
She died on August 17, 1982, in Maputo, Mozambique. This is after a letter bomb killed her.
During the evening of the announcement, the guest speaker, Justice Edwin Cameron, urged the scholarship recipients to follow in her footsteps.
“She was a courageous, focused and unconventional woman. She took a stand against her organisation several times when she thought there was a need to,” said Justice Cameron.
He said she could stand firm for what she believed in, even if it was not popular with her peers.
He asked them what Ruth First would do if she were still alive today.
“Will she stand up against corruption? Would she encourage us to be proud and accepting to others and what they believe in?” asked Justice Cameron.
Boitumelo said she believed she shares some characteristics with Ruth First.
“I am dedicated, hard working and a feminist. I believe that what a man can do, a woman can also do,” she said.
Boitumelo thanked her school, her teachers, the scholarship fund and Jeppe High School for Girls.
She said the scholarship will open opportunities for her.
“I want to do something in finance like being a chartered accountant. I also like writing. One day I will write books like Ruth First. I also want to open a charity organisation that will help young girls with their challenges,” she said.
She also offered some advice for her peers.
“Stay humble, be humble, in everything you do,” said Boitumelo.
Mr Naik said Boitumelo is destined to higher levels.
“She is a focused and hard working child. She will fit in with any child in the playground. She must continue giving her in all whatever she does,” said Mr Naik.
40 pupils have benefited from the scholarship since 2010.
For more information about the scholarship, send an email to ruthfirsttrust@jeppegirls.co.za
