02/10/2012
Nedbank Matric Revision Program delivers an Ace student!
“A journey of a million miles starts with only one step, and being part of the Nedbank Matric Revision Program was my first step towards achieving prestigious results”.
These were the words of Ntseki Jeffrey, a former student of Lenyora La Thuto Comprehensive School located in Botshabelo, Free State who achieved top honours in last years matric exams. Jeffrey scored an astounding five distinctions in Life Orientation (86%), Sesotho (83%), Mathematics (91%), Physical Science (94%), and B aggregates in English (FAL).
The eighteen-year-old was among 195 students who attended the 2011 revision classes organised by Ochre Active, in collaboration with loveLife centres supported by The Nedbank Foundation. According to Jeffrey, the program offered textbooks, laboratory accessories and quality teachers who were passionate about the work they do. “These classes reduced my work load from 75% to 50% and this really made studying easier” he explained.
His quest however, came at a great price to his grandmother, Julia Ntseki and his mum, Jane Ntseki, a single parent who worked as domestic worker to pay for her son’s education. “Irrespective of the circumstances we as a family were in, my mum persevered and her sheer courage, strength and nurturing spirit prevailed,” he said.
Jeffrey is a first year BSc Actuarial Science Student at the University of the Free State. When asked why he chose this particular field, he explained that it is his love for numbers and the challenge that came with entering such a dynamic field. “I want to be a qualified actuary which is not an easy thing. I want to be recognized as one of the successful entrepreneurs in years to come and use my career to benefit my family,” he explained.
Jeffrey’s intensive study time-table included waking up at 3am to study for two hours before school, doing his homework during study time, leaving his weekends free for revision and assignments. Jeffery emphasised that coming from an underprivileged background did not stand in his way of achieving his goal, “I told myself that nobody would do things for me, if I give up, it means that I have failed my plan on earth. God has been a great source of strength to me. Nothing beats hard work so I was driven by this and self-motivation,” he said.
“The Nedbank Matric Revision Program has been active since 2010 and is committed to providing both educational materials and tutors to students. The program has grown and continues to deliver promising results, for students who work as diligently as Jeffrey, the NMRP represent a gateway to a better life” says Krisen Pather, Head of Development for Ochre Media.
