CHOOSING THE RIGHT FRIENDS: HOW PEER SUPPORT FUELS SUCCESS

The Bekwa Family
By Precious Mupenzi
- One of the country’s top matriculants, Nqubeko Bekwa, has sage advice for his peers – “choose your friends wisely. The people you surround yourself with can either lift you up or pull you down”.
- Bekwa, from KwaMnyandu in rural KwaZulu-Natal, made history at his school, becoming the first learner to be invited to the national awards ceremony for top achievers.
- His achievements earned him special recognition from the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, for coming third in the physical science category.
Nineteen-year-old Nqubeko Bekwa stands as an inspiring example of how determination, focus, and the right support can help a young person overcome significant challenges.
Born in KwaMnyandu, a rural area outside Pietermaritzburg, Bekwa grew up in a community deeply affected by social ills such as substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.
Despite these difficulties, Bekwa, the youngest of four children, harboured big dreams and has set his sights on studying actuarial science or nuclear engineering, provided he gets accepted into the University of Cape Town.
Flanked by his proud parents, Bekwa’s pride in his achievement was evident as he arrived at the special event held in Johannesburg on 13 January 2025 for the top achievers in the 2024 National Senior Certificate.
His journey to academic excellence, however, was far from easy. Bekwa recalled a pivotal moment in Grade 10 when he was progressed – meaning he was promoted to the next grade despite lower marks.
At that point, his family urged him to switch to a general studies stream, fearing that his academic struggles might continue. “Grade 10 is crucial for shaping your future in Grades 11 and 12, but I said no. If it’s not maths and science, I can’t do it,” Bekwa explained.
He was determined to pursue the subjects that aligned with his dreams.
In making that decision, Bekwa acknowledged the influence of his friends.
“I was growing up in an environment where drinking alcohol, dating many girls, and the mentality that this makes you a better man was the norm,” he said.
“But I chose one friend who was focused on his studies. He excelled in physical science, and I was good at mathematics. Our combination helped us push each other to excel,” he shared.
Bekwa’s focus on academics paid off – he passed all seven of his subjects with distinctions: in physical science, agricultural science, English, isiZulu, life orientation, mathematics, and life sciences. He made history at his school, becoming the first learner to be invited to the national awards for the top matriculants.
“I am proud of what I’ve achieved, not just for myself, but for my community as well,” he said.
His achievements earned him special recognition from the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, for coming third in the physical science category. “This is a testament to my hard work and the support of my family,” Bekwa said, reflecting on the long road to success.
Despite his academic success, financial challenges remain. Neither of Bekwa’s parents are formally employed. His father relies on the Special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, while his mother works piece jobs and renews her Special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant when her contract work ends.
When Bekwa turned 18, his child support grant lapsed, and like many South African learners, he found himself navigating the complexities of higher education funding. “My goal was always to apply for NSFAS (the National Student Financial Aid Scheme), and I didn’t want to risk being rejected because I was an active recipient of any government grant,” Bekwa explained.
Unlike many students in similar situations, Bekwa consciously chose not to apply for the Special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant when his child support grant ended two years ago. His reasoning was simple: he believed that applying for the grant might jeopardise his chances of receiving NSFAS funding, which was crucial to his plans of pursuing higher education.
Data from the Department of Social Development shows that 3 092 matriculants applied for the Social Relief Distress grant after their child support grants lapsed, while 34 710 learners who wrote matric last year who grants lapsed once they reached the age of 18.
As he awaits the outcome of his NSFAS application, Bekwa remains hopeful that financial aid will help him pursue his academic dreams.
Looking back, Bekwa expressed immense gratitude for the support of his parents. “The support from my parents has been amazing. They have pushed me to be the person I am today. I am so proud of them, and I’m happy that I made them proud.”
Bekwa’s journey has been one of resilience, and he is determined to inspire others, especially the Class of 2024.
In his message to his peers, he shared valuable advice: “In life, ‘uvuna okutshalile’, meaning you reap what you sow. Start early and choose your friends wisely. The people you surround yourself with can either lift you up or pull you down.”
In her remarks on the 2024 matric results, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, underscored the critical role of mathematics and physical science in South Africa’s socio-economic development. “Mathematics and physical sciences are gateway subjects that are essential for the future of our country,” she stated.
In 2024, 69.1% of learners passed mathematics, marking a notable increase from 63.5% in 2023. However, in physical science, the pass rate dropped slightly to 75.6%, down from 76.2% the previous year.
Minister Gwarube acknowledged the improvement in mathematics performance but emphasised the challenges in physical science, highlighting the urgent need to improve foundational literacy and numeracy.
“The improvement in mathematics performance is encouraging, but the declining participation rates and performance in physical science show that we need to address the gaps in our education system. We must ensure that learners are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in these key subjects, which are vital for the development of our nation,” the minister said.