The excitement over matric results has been replaced by panic and worry for young people who have done well but do not have the money to pay for their tertiary education.
Throughout their final school year pupils aimed high, worked hard and made sacrifices to be the best at the end.
They created an idea of what success is and that proceeding to universities would be the next thing to happen.
Letsibogo High School is one of the schools that achieve good pass rates in Meadowlands and Soweto.
In 2013, they had 129 pupils who wrote their final exams and they were able to secure over 150 distinctions.
Many of the girls that have done exceptionally well are asking themselves what’s next and where to?
These questions are not being asked because they do not know what to study or because they have not done their research about the careers they wish to venture into.
They are confused about their future because there is no money to pay for their tuition.
Nqobile Ngema passed with five distinctions and wants to study extractive metallurgy but she is worried about how she will get the money to make that dream come true.
Ngema hopes bursary applications will be successful.
Snethemba Phakathi got six distinctions and wants to study chemical engineering but she knows that her parents cannot afford to pay for her fees.
“I started stressing and thinking about it a few days before I received my results.
“I am hoping bursaries I applied for will be successful,” Phakhathi said.
Kwanele Mncube got five distinctions and she is also uncertain about how she is going to proceed to the next level.
She applied for bursaries and is waiting for a positive response because there is not enough money to pay for a civil or mechanical engineering course.
Katlego Moerane said she worked hard throughout the year despite challenges she was faced with at home.
“I worked hard so I could stand a better chance at getting a bursary.
“I have applied for a few and I am waiting for a response.”
These young girls know what they want to study, the only thing holding them back is money and an opportunity not only to change their lives but to also change that of their families.
