Never give up
By Bonisanani Mtshekisa, LEAP’s first university graduate
I was once told that the size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream and how you handle disappointment along the way.
Born in the Eastern Cape in a small town called Peddie, I am the fifth child of seven in my family. When I grew up I enjoyed reading and I became a library member in my second grade which helped me a lot in my reading problems and also stopped me from being lazy and doing nothing in the township.
Learning Journey
In 2004 I joined LEAP. The school had a different atmosphere to my previous schools. The school day would start at 8:15 and finish at 17:15 – Idid not like the times but I enjoyed what was happening in classes, excursions and other school activities. The journey at LEAP was interesting as you had to learn about yourself.
The school was not just a school for me but my family. LEAP provided me with a wide range of opportunities and activities. I had an opportunity to be one of the first ambassadors to go to the Grahamstown Arts Festival, I also had job-shadowing opportunities.
Part of the LEAP family
LEAP is still a part of my life as I am still a part of the LEAP family. I learnt that without challenges and struggles we will not grow and instead of finding excuses for what we have not achieved, we must focus on making our goals and dreams come true. LEAP is about not giving up, working hard, passion, caring and believing in yourself – these are all still a part of me.
I am happy to meet LEAP’s expectations of matriculating with full exemption (passing with merit) and becoming the first university graduate to be produced by LEAP.
Achieving the dream
I have always wanted to be a business man and my family knows me for economising. I did an accounting degree at the University of the Western Cape but after facing difficulties with a course I ended up changing to a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. With the hard work I put in I was able to finish the degree in record time. It was not easy at all and at times I wanted to quit but I told myself I will do it.
My goal is to work hard to improve my knowledge of the business sector. In future I see myself on a journey of success and my dream is to own businesses that will contribute positively to society. My objective is to continue to work hard to achieve this dream.
