Good Morning Angels New Year's Edition: Physically disabled student dedicates distinctions to his mother

BACKGROUND: Tshegofatso Molele is one of six children to his single mom. He is one of twin boys - but he says he’s the special one! He was born with cerebral palsy. His mom moved from Limpopo to Olievenhoutbosch in Centurion for better employment opportunities and Tshegofatso was enrolled in a school for children with special needs. Despite all the challenges he had been dealt, Tshegofatso has an iron will and a personality larger than life! With his exceptional work ethic and positive attitude, Tshegofatso crept deep into the heart of one of his teachers at New Hope School. 

"Tshegofatso Molele is one of the most resilient and inspirational young men that I have ever had the privilege of teaching. He has overcome such adversity and does so with the biggest smile on his face. He is a positive, ambitious young man who takes challenges in his stride and is always motivated to give his best," teacher Kailey le Roux says.

Le Roux explained that the teaching pace in their school is slower and the subject choice limited.

"People like Tshegofatso, who has normal mental capacity but cannot be accommodated at other mainstream schools because of his physical disability, are disadvantaged because they are limited to taking certain subjects."

Despite all of this, Tshegofatso obtained three distinctions and met the minimum requirement for English HL by achieving 64% in matric. He will have to do a diploma course at UJ for a semester and then switch to LLB Law, which is what he has been selected for provisionally. His place in the res is booked and he is ready to go and would qualify for a bursary, but for that to happen, he needs to start his first semester. Without the funds, Kailey is worried that his hard work and dedication in school would not receive the reward it should and this latest hurdle will prevent him from getting the chance to better his life, as he deserves.

REQUEST FOR: Tshegofatso Molele

REQUEST FROM: Kailey le Roux

ANGEL: Dave Arnold representing Sabat Batteries. 

SPONSORING: Sabat Batteries will kick-start Thesgofatso Molele's university journey with a R50,000 bursary towards his UJ student account. 

ORIGINAL REQUEST: 

Good afternoon Angels!

My name is Kailey Le Roux and I am a teacher at New Hope School, in Pretoria. I am desperately asking for your assistance to please help one of my matric students who need a bursary to study for an LLB degree next year at the University of Johannesburg.

Tshegofatso Molele is one of the most resilient and inspirational young men that I have ever had the privilege of teaching. He has overcome such adversity and does so with the biggest smile on his face. He is a positive, ambitious young man who takes challenges in his stride and is always motivated to give his best.

Tshegofatso was born in Limpopo and is one of six children to a single mother. He is a hard worker and has been accepted provisionally to study for an LLB degree at UJ for 2022. Unfortunately, Tshegofatso comes from a disadvantaged background and there are no ways that his family can afford to pay for his study fees, accommodation and textbooks. Tshesgofatso is also physically disabled as he has cerebral palsy.

I have been trying endlessly to secure a bursary for this young man, who deserves a chance to study. I have been dealing with the most passionate lecturer at the University called Taryn Neuhaus, who has been an absolute treasure trying to assist with a bursary. Taryn informed me about the NSFAS bursary but unfortunately, I learnt about the initiative too late and applications have already closed. The University itself only gives out bursaries to first-year students in August once they have passed their first semester exams. This is very difficult because Tshegofatso will not be able to complete the first semester due to a lack of finances. 

I have tried to get law firms to help with bursaries but unfortunately, I lack the resources and knowledge on how to get a bursary for this amazing boy. I would so appreciate any help whatsoever, even if it's just a point in the right direction. There are no words to express how much it would mean to this learner to be able to study next year. Studying would secure his future and the future of his family.

Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards

Kailey Le Roux

Good Morning Angels New Year's Edition in partnership with #SabatBatteries.