A TESTAMENT TO THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EDUCATION, DETERMINATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF SOCIAL GRANTS

0
187

By Precious Mupenzi

  • After losing her mother at a young age, 17-year-old Thobeka Langa from Mogwase in the North West province, has overcome the odds to become one of the top matric achievers in the Class of 2024.
  • Langa’s grandmother, Bajabulile Langa, stepped into the joint role of mother and grandmother, making education a priority and ensuring that the young learner could concentrate on her studies.
  • The Child Support Grant Langa received during her schooling played a significant role in ensuring the family could make ends meet.

From the moment 17-year-old Thobeka Langa could speak, it was clear that she was destined for greatness.

By the age of three, she could count and write her own name, a rare skill for someone so young. Her natural intelligence shone brightly even then, leaving those around her in awe of her abilities.

It was not long before the local principal, recognising her exceptional ability, made the bold decision to place her in Grade R at just four-years-old. This early leap marked the beginning of a journey that would lead Langa to become one of the country’s top academic achievers, overcoming numerous challenges and defying all odds along the way.

Raised by her devoted grandmother, Bajabulile Langa, after the tragic passing of her mother, Langa’s success has been a story of resilience, love, and unwavering determination.

Her grandmother (56), has been the cornerstone of Langa’s life, stepping into the role of both mother and grandmother after Langa’s mother passed away just before completing her university degree.

“Kade ngiwa ngivuka nomzukulu wami,” Bajabulile Langa recalls, reflecting on how she became a mother once again.

“After my daughter passed away, we relocated from Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, to Mogwase, just outside Rustenburg. It was not easy, but I had to keep going for Thobeka. I wanted to see her succeed.”

Financial support through a Child Support Grant

For many years, Bajabulile Langa faced constant challenges. She worked various contract jobs, sometimes found herself unemployed, and struggled to make ends meet.

Yet, one crucial source of support during these tough times was the Child Support Grant, which Bajabulile Langa credits with allowing them to survive and keeping Langa’s dreams alive.

“The Child Support Grant was a lifeline,” Bajabulile Langa says, her voice filled with gratitude.

“It may seem small to some, but it went a long way in helping us survive and ensuring that Thobeka could focus on her studies. Without it, I don’t know how we would have made it.”

Despite Bajabulile Langa’s struggles, the Child Support Grant ensured that they could make ends meet and allowed Langa to continue her education without the added burden of financial instability.

“The grant ensured that every month we had something to rely on, and I knew Thobeka could concentrate on her studies without worrying about our financial situation,” says Bajabulile Langa. “It may not have been a lot, but it made a huge difference.”

This support played a significant role in keeping Langa focused on her studies, allowing her to excel academically despite the various hardships her family faced.

Putting education first

Bajabulile Langa’s life has not been without its sacrifices. She worked tirelessly to support her family, often selling food at the gate of a local school to make enough money for her son’s university fees and to cover household expenses.

When Langa’s mother became pregnant at 16, Bajabulile Langa was firm in her belief that education should remain a priority.

“I told my daughter, ‘Give birth, and then you’re going back to school’,” Bajabulile Langa recalls. And true to her word, six months after Langa’s birth, her grandmother took over the responsibility of raising her granddaughter while her mother returned to school.

Despite the instability of constantly moving between rented backrooms and experiencing the emotional toll of losing her mother, Langa never let these challenges derail her academic journey.

“I lost count of how many times we moved,” she reflects. “But I knew my grandmother was doing everything she could, and I wanted to make her proud.”

Langa’s love for learning, combined with the unwavering support from her grandmother, helped her overcome the difficulties of frequent relocations and financial strain.

As Langa grew older, she encountered another challenge: the stigma of having lost her mother. Cruel whispers from others would often say, “You will be educated and die like your mother.”

Rather than letting these words discourage her, Langa turned them into fuel for her ambition. “Those words pushed me harder. I knew I had to prove them wrong,” she says. “I had to show that I would succeed, no matter what.”

Her hard work and determination paid off when she became one of the country’s top 2024 matric achievers as a learner at JM Ntsime High School, passing all her subjects with distinction.

Langa has earned a place at the University of Pretoria to study chemical engineering, with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme providing the financial support to make her dreams a reality.

At a recent ministerial breakfast in Johannesburg hosted by the Department of Basic Education, Langa’s achievements were celebrated by her family – her uncle and grandmother.

“This is for my grandmother,” Langa says. “She’s been everything to me. I couldn’t have made it this far without her.”

For Bajabulile Langa, the journey has been both joyful and bittersweet. “I’ve never been prouder of her,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “She’s never disappointed me. It’s been a long, difficult road, but to see her succeed like this makes everything worth it. I know her mother would have been so proud.”

Overcoming challenges

Bajabulile Langa describes her granddaughter as quiet, shy, and a lover of books, and she feels incredibly lucky that her Langa has never faltered in her pursuit of education despite the many challenges they have faced.

“There are so many pressures – teenage pregnancy, peer pressure, and substance abuse – but Thobeka listened to my advice and stayed focused on her studies. I am so proud of her,” Bajabulile Langa adds.

The family’s story is one of perseverance and hard work.

Langa draws inspiration from her cousin, Luyanda Hlathswayo, who was one of the top achievers in the matric class of 2019. “Luyanda’s success motivated me to keep going,” Langa says.

Five years later, Langa too was honoured with a ministerial award for her academic excellence.

Currently Bajabulile Langa is unemployed and not eligible for the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, relying on her son’s support for their survival. Yet, despite the challenges, she remains deeply grateful for the Child Support Grant, which played a critical role in their ability to thrive.

Langa’s remarkable success story is a testament to the transformative power of education, determination, and the support of social grants. The impact of the Child Support Grant cannot be overstated – it has been an essential tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and giving Langa the opportunity to build a better future.

Leave a reply