Bongani Mahlangu

As a future graduate, I have realised that without financial aid, there might be challenges in one's pursuit of academic excellence. Challenges encountered range from book allowances, living allowances, residential and catering costs, which were overcome through the assistance of Link-SA Trust. I would like to urge Link-SA to keep up the good work, extending it to other students who are in financial need, because such initiatives really motivate students to work hard and excel academically.

I must report that I am now a Gold Key Member, which is an honour given to those who achieve a high academic standard.

Oh! For a thousand tongues to say THANK YOU! I hope that this is a success story that will serve as motivation for other aspiring under-graduates, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds like me.

Signed: Bongani Mahlangu, BCom (Economics & Finance), 3rd year. UWC

Visha Govender

I hail from Park Rynie, a small town on the South coast of KwaZuluNatal. My parents divorced when I was only three years old. Growing under these circumstances was trying, both emotionally and financially. I was raised by my mother and my maternal grandparents. My grandfather passed away last year.

Having spent my entire school years in the vicinity of my home town, the thought of studying at a university of my choice, in another province of the country, seemed inconceivable. Yet, it was a dream I pursued, and it is through the kind sponsorship from organisations such as yours, that people in situations like mine are able to gain renewed hope in themselves and in the country. It also makes us more determined to succeed, and to one day contribute to the development of others in similar situations.

Once again, I send a big 'thank you' for your contribution towards making my academic career at the University of Cape Town possible.

Signed: Ms Visha Govender, Graduate, B Bus Sc, University of Cape Town. 2010.

Babalwa Nongqotho

One of the highlights, amongst others that I have had in this course this year: I was allocated an assignment whereby I had to find a disabled person in my community. The brief was to interview the person and get to know them, their disability and how they are coping with it and to also plan an exercise programme for them. I was touched by the whole experience. The 'patient' shared with me his story of how he became disabled, difficulties he faced and just how his life change from the day he was told that he could never walk again and that he was going to be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. This experience taught me on a personal basis how to appreciate life and make the best out of it while we can. It also made me humble and to value the opportunity I had when meeting this patient.

Signed: Ms Babalwa Nongqotho, BSc Physiotherapy, 2, UWC

J Liebenberg

I see it as a huge privilege to study medicine. In matric I applied to study medicine with a mere 88%. I knew that it was far below average and that my chances of studying medicine were not good. By a greater Hand I was selected and therefore believe that I have a calling to make a difference. This is also the driving force and motivation to keep working hard and be diligent. I do not give my best to pass exams, nor to impress a professor or to reach good marks. I work hard and do my best because I want to acquire the most knowledge that I possibly can in order to become the best doctor that I possible can be to help people in the most effective way I possibly can. I therefore also plan never to leave South African soil – I've been called to make a difference here in South Africa, in the public sector where so much help is needed. That's my vision and my calling.

Signed: J Liebenberg, Faculty of Medicine, Stellenbosch University. 2010.

Andronica Ramaila

This year was also a good year for me academically as well, since I received the Golden Key award for high achievement. The news kept me motivated during my dark times, so that I could be able to keep my eyes on the prize, i.e. a prosperous future filled with many opportunities for young people like me.

For next year, I have applied for an Honours degree and I hope that everything works out as planned. From the bottom of my heart, I would just like to say thank you to Link-SA for the financial back-up because it does make a difference in the lives of those that require assistance like me. I am very honoured to have been one of the students to receive this scholarship; it shows that I have accomplished something recognizable and special. Thank you!

Signed: Ms Andronica Ramaila, BSc Bio-Technology, 3rd year, University of the Western Cape. 2010.

S Green

My favourite subjects were early intervention and fluency. I would most definitely like to pursue a career in one of these fields. I especially enjoyed Early Intervention practical because I have a strong love for children of this age group (0-3 years). The practicals took place at the Ethembeni Children's Home. Fluency involves a lot of psychology which is a subject that I am passionate about. For the speech practicals (early intervention, articulation and language therapy), I had six clients aged from 10 months to 11 years old. It was a wonderful experience for me to see the growth and change in my clients throughout the year. It was a meaningful and fulfilling experience and one where I felt I could give back to society.

I also feel privileged to have been involved with a Youth Movement on many different levels this year. I was a counselor for Grade 10 age group and I was privileged to lead this group on a tour to Israel in July. I ran all the outreach projects for the movement this year including visits to orphanages, blood drives, food collections and assisting during the strike. I also sat on the national committee of the movement this year.

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." I am so grateful that you are ensuring a positive future for me. I in turn, hope to take this "line" that you have given me and teach others to fish.

Signed: S Green – BA Speech & Hearing, Wits – 2010.

Anonymous

I am so happy/excited/relieved that 2011 will be my final year at university! I have to add the word "hopefully" for I hear that Company Law is quite a tough subject. I hope that with hard work I will be successful. God carried me through this year and I am positive that He will not forsake me in the coming year. This year was tough and there were days when I really just wanted to give up. Days when I questioned myself : "Why does it need to be so hard to get a law degree? Why does it need to be so hard to succeed in reaching my dream? Does everything need to be a struggle in my life? Can't I just – for once – have at least something easily?" There were days when I cried and just wished that the year would pass so that I could go home. But then, the thought of what awaited me there, made me wish that the year should not pass just so that I would not have to go home to experience the constant difficulties and sadness there. Life is not easy for my family.

However, I have so much to be thankful for. I am healthy, I am studying at one of the top universities in Africa, and I am studying Law. I am more than half way towards making my dream become a reality. I am immensely grateful!

Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Law - Student requested anonymity.

Mabatlo Semenya

I hereby write to express my heartfelt and sincere gratitude to you for the bursary you provided to me.

I come from a financially humble background and my family, extraordinarily and lovingly happy, would by no means have been able to pay for my studies.

Once again, thank you for your support. Through it, you really are assisting to build a better South Africa. I pray and trust that God shall multiply your resources so that you may be able to assist other students.

Signed: Mabatlo Semenya, BComm 4, UCT (Graduated December 2008)

Kudakwashe Boyd

My name is Kudakwashe Boyd. I concluded my LLB degree at the end of the year 2007 at the University of Stellenbosch. I am a beneficiary of your Trust. I am currently doing my LLM in Property law (Mineral rights).

Firstly I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support you have given me. I will forever be indebted to you. I am looking forward to showing my appreciation by becoming a Link SA benefactor some time in the future and will keep in close contact with the Trust in the years to come.

Signed: Kudakwashe Boyd, LLB Graduate, Stellenbosch 2007, Graduated Masters 2009

Thabiso Ndebele

The beginning of February saw the start of it all, with the year-plan handed to us. The work rate was quicker than usual but I managed to stay afloat. The first term ended on a high note, with my course results being great.

The second half of the year was rather testing. There were no lectures and one had to be the master of time. I really enjoyed my design and lab projects to the point that I decided to combine the two concepts for my Masters in Engineering. What made the second half better was the fact that a body like Link-SA was behind me. It did put my mind at ease, but on the same note, the expectation increased dramatically.

The year has been a highly successful one, now I can call myself a BEE (Black Electrical Engineer)! I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Link-SA. The belief you have in us is amazing. I achieved an A for my Design project which backs this up. I hope that other students such as me will be taken care of similarly.

It is now that we can use our skills to improve the living standards of our country.

Signed: Thabiso Ndebele, BSc Elec Eng, 4 Wits. (Graduated with one distinction, Dec 2008)

Mr David Burmeister

I continued to work for a third semester at the Rhodes University Legal Aid Clinic and was awarded the coveted Thompson Date Chong award for the most significant contribution by a Rhodes student to the Legal Aid Clinic.

I have also been instrumental in the setting up and running of the Rhodes University Legal Activism Society, which had the goal of teaching uneducated people about the law and informing them of their rights. This society has moved from strength to strength and I am happy to say that I assisted it through its formative stages.

In conclusion, all of the above would not have been possible, were it not for your kind and generous gift. I therefore wish to thank you once again.

Signed: Mr David Burmeister, LLB Graduate, Rhodes University
(This student was placed on The Dean’s Merit List for academic achievement in 2007.)

Ms Faghmia Solomon

At St Joseph’s Home, I got to work with physically disabled children mostly afflicted with cerebral palsy, TB meningitis, and HIV aids amongst many others. At first it was sad and scary being surrounded by so many children needing my help. In the first week I was even too nervous to transfer my patient’s into different positions because of the slight possibility that they might fall or get hurt, but the children were so loveable and talented, that I soon felt more relaxed and confident as the weeks progressed.

Working at Gugulethu Day Hospital and Mfuleni Community Centre was fun and exciting. At Gugulethu I saw mostly stroke patients, amputees and those with chronic back pain and arthritis. Since Mfuleni was a disadvantaged community my partner and I spent most of our time visiting old age homes and community which was really fun. We played games with the elderly and made many friends. We even had the opportunity to help out in a soup kitchen and decorate a creche to make it more stimulating for the kids.

Signed: Ms Faghmia Solomon, Bsc Physiotherapy, 3, UWC

Ms Asa Nontshinga

This year has been a very involved year for me, both socially and academically. I was involved in the Trojan Academic Initiative as a mentor. For one semester, I had a group of five first years that I was responsible for. I related to them, as I remember how it was for me three years ago. What a difference these three years has made! I received a Certificate in Peer Mentoring, which is good for my CV.

Once again, thank you for the money for my fees. If is wasn’t for you, Link-SA, I’d have a huge balance to settle with NSFAS when I start working in 2009. Thanks for motivating me. Keep up your good work!

Signed: Ms Asa Nontshinga, BCom, Final. Rhodes. (Graduated Dec 2008)

Llewellyn du Toit

I teach some children from various primary schools around Stellenbosch in need of maths lessons.

I also started tutoring Ncomisa in Accounting (a matric pupil at a local school).  I haven’t done accounting since high school, and I thought it would come back easily. It didn’t.  But the two of us worked hard and we worked through a couple of example papers.  She let me know that she has passed Accounting and her year.  It was great news!

I would like to thank you for the support you provided last year.  If it was not for the financial support from Link-SA, I would most definitely not have been in my Final year of studies.  The work went really well and I passed all my subjects.  Most of my marks were in the sixties.

Thank you so much for helping me and making this dream come true.  You have no idea how much these bursaries mean to us!  Thank you for believing in me and I give you my word that one day I will do my bit to put something back!

Signed: Llewellyn du Toit, LLB, Stellenbosch (Graduated Dec 2008)