Masixole Jarom from Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape is the eldest (and was heading) a family of 3, himself and his 2 siblings. They were raised by a single mother who passed away in 2006 when he was 16 years old doing grade 10. In grade 11 at Sisonke High School, he came across TRAC. Due to the help he received from TRAC during his grade 11 and 12 years, he performed very well. He obtained an A in Mathematics and a B in Physical Science, and was then accepted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) for a Diploma in mechanical engineering, which he finished in 2012.  He graduated in April of 2013. After completing his diploma, he registered for his B.Tech degree in 2013.  At that time he also received employment at the university (NMMU) within the Renewable Energy Research Unit.

His story continues to unfold. While working on his second year of the B.Tech, Masixole received a number of job offers from various engineering companies.  In April of 2014 he took up employment with Nordex Acciona Windpower, one of TRAC’s financial partners, as a service technician.

Masixole’s younger brother, Andile, also went through the same path of receiving much help from TRAC.  Through TRAC’s assistance he was able to obtain good results in grade 12. He went on to study electrical engineering at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, which he completed in June of 2016.

While initially forced as a young child to head his family, Masixole is now able to do so as a responsible citizen with his own house, car and family (wife, daughter and younger sister). Inspired by his elder brother, Andile has followed suit, such that they are now both working for Nordex Acciona Windpower.

This family continues to excel.  At the beginning of this year, Masixole had the privilege of visiting Germany through Nordex Acciona Windpower.  This is something that is unthinkable for many in the community from which he comes.  Their sister, Xabisa, is doing her first year of a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.  Her studies are fully supported by her elder brothers.  Masixole has recently been promoted within Nordex Acciona Windpower to Assistant Lead Technician at the Kouga Wind Farm in Oyster Bay.

Masixole and Andile are involved in mentoring TRAC learners in the areas where they work. During the Summer School, Andile visited the learners in the Bedford area, whilst Masixole left the learners at the Port Elizabeth Summer School inspired!

Georgina was a grade 10 student at Morakolo Secondary School in a small village, Shongoane 3, just outside Lephalale in Limpopo Province. Georgina was raised by her grandmother, who had to take care of her, her two siblings, and her aunt’s three children.

Georgina’s school didn’t have a laboratory where learners could perform Physical Science experiments. Then, with great thanks to Murray & Roberts, TRAC established its intervention in five schools in the area, including Georgina’s school.  TRAC’s presence in her school changed this situation, enabling learners to use state-of-the-art physical science technology to conduct experiments in small groups. TRAC’s intervention extended to weekends and holidays with extra lessons to help them bridge knowledge gaps and grasp crucial Physical Science content. Subsequently, Georgina’s Physical Science results improved from 58% in grade 11 to 80% in grade 12.

“Because of my unstable financial background that I am from I wanted to further my studies.”

But Georgina didn’t have access to a computer to do online applications. TRAC assisted her in completing online applications to institutions of higher learning and applying for funding for her intended tertiary studies.

In January 2017, Georgina was informed that she had been accepted to study at Stellenbosch University. “I could not make it to Stellenbosch before the first-year welcoming program because I did not have funding for my studies and no money to travel to Stellenbosch.”

Then Georgina received the good news that her bursary application for Lephalale Municipality was successful. Her aunt gave her the money needed for her bus ticket to Stellenbosch. “I immediately left for Stellenbosch with only a few items of clothing in my bags.” Whilst on the bus on her way to Stellenbosch, Georgina was informed that registration would close that same evening at midnight. “This was a big problem for me, because the bus I was travelling on takes two days to arrive in Stellenbosch. I panicked as I realised that I could have travelled for nothing and might have to return home.”

The director of TRAC, Ms Debbey Olivier, assisted Georgina with her registration by telephoning her while she was on the bus to Stellenbosch. “I shared the necessary information with her to enable her to do my online registration. When the registration system did not accept my first-choice subjects, she advised me on other subject combinations which I could take. Together we made the right choices, and I was registered before the deadline.”

TRAC mentors and supports students at Stellenbosch University. It’s crucial that students are supported in making a smooth transition from home to varsity and from secondary to tertiary education.

“A few days after I arrived at Stellenbosch University, Madam Debbey asked whether I was okay and whether there was anything that I needed. I realised that I did not bring enough clothes and any blankets.”  TRAC arranged to have Georgina’s extra clothes and warm blankets sent to Stellenbosch. It was delivered to her at her hostel, Minerva, by the TRAC staff on the campus. 

Four years later, with an attitude of absolute perseverance, Georgina is a BSc (Earth Science) and a PGCE graduate. TRAC has come full circle in the life of this talented young woman! We must thank Murray & Roberts for making it possible to impact Georgina’s life. Congratulations, Georgina, we are proud of you!