‘The mind is everything. What you think you become’

Madam – Five ex-pupils from Sekusile High School from the matric class of 2010 have graduated this year from different universities.

We started together in different classes in Grade 8. When we reached Grade 10, we took different subjects.

We had our big dreams and even though we were not in the same classes, we always got together to discuss any concerns we had regarding the subjects that we shared.

However, we cannot say we have reached the level of completing our studies solely on our own, but God was there with us, as well as our families and supportive friends. We cannot forget to mention our teachers at Sekusile High School who have contributed by building a good foundation and encouraged us to apply to universities when we were in matric.

We are proud to have graduated in different fields:

Honours Degree in Speech-Language Pathology (Dimakatso Dikgweli-UKZN-WSTVL),

Degree in Clinical Medical Practice (Sphelele Ndebele-UP),

Degree in Environmental Sciences (Mfundo Maseko-UKZN-PMB),

Degree in Education (Mndeni Mpanza-UJ), and

Degree in Crop Sciences (Sphelele Thwala-TUT).

When you are in varsity it is important to maintain focus and not lose sight of what you are really there for. One must surround yourself with positive people who want to achieve their goals as much as you do. One must also learn self-motivation, work hard and enjoy the fruits of hard when they hand you the degree certificate.

We would like to urge all pupils who are still in high school to listen to their teachers when they are told to apply and to always think positively. Don’t see money as a barrier to further your studies at a tertiary institution. Filling in the CAO form or any other tertiary application form is the first step to a brighter future. Matric pupils should not doubt their abilities to pass matric, and just not apply to tertiary institutions.

We are proud to say that we have made it and we would like to emphasise that pupils should not be discouraged by their backgrounds, because that does not define your future. Education is important. Have faith in yourself because, as Buddha said, ‘The mind is everything. What you think you become’.

Dimakatso Dikgweli