27-year-old mom on her way to become a teacher
The SABAT Bursary Fund will assist Matjie with R40 000 to cover her distance-learning tuition fees for her second-year Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching at North-West University.
Twenty-seven-year-old Matjie Mabetlela lives in Polokwane with her partner and five-year-old son.
Having not had the opportunity to study earlier in life, she decided last year to follow her dream of becoming a primary school teacher and enrolled at North-West University as a distance-learning student.
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She excelled in her first year with an impressive average of 80.10%, earning nine distinctions out of 11 modules. Despite her outstanding academic results, Matjie has not been able to secure funding.
She is currently unemployed, and her partner is self-employed, which makes continuing her studies for a second year extremely difficult. She has R5 000 outstanding from last year, which is why her fiancé submitted an application to Good Morning Angels for a SABAT Bursary.
REQUEST FOR: Matjie Mabetlela
REQUEST FROM: Martin Sipho Chemese
ANGEL: Dave Arnold, representing the SABAT Bursary Fund
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SPONSORING: The SABAT Bursary Fund will assist Matjie with R40 000 to cover her distance-learning tuition fees for her second-year Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching at North-West University.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Dear Good Morning Angels Team,
I would like to nominate Matjie Maria Mabetlela for the SABAT Batteries bursary as part of the Good Morning Angels New Year’s Edition. Matjie is my fiancée and the mother of our child. She is 27 years old and currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching with Life Skills and Social Sciences, studying through North-West University (Potchefstroom Distance).
Matjie has a deep love for education, especially for teaching young learners in primary school. She is incredibly selfless, patient and nurturing, with a natural ability to connect with children. Teaching is not just a career choice for her; I believe it is a calling, as cliché as that sounds. She is passionate about shaping young minds, laying strong foundations, and being the kind of teacher who inspires confidence and curiosity in young learners.
Her academic performance reflects her dedication and discipline. In 2025, Matjie achieved an impressive GPA of 80.10%, earning nine distinctions out of 11 modules. This achievement is even more remarkable considering the demands of motherhood, distance learning and limited resources. Despite her responsibilities as a mother, Matjie has never allowed her age or circumstances to prevent her from following her passion. Balancing her studies, parenting and family life has been challenging, yet she continues to persevere with resilience and determination. She is currently unemployed and has no means of financing her tuition and study-related costs on her own.
As her fiancé, I am self-employed, and while I do my best to support our family, business is not always consistent or financially stable. We carry many responsibilities, including preparing our five-year-old child for Grade R this year, which places additional strain on our finances. It is difficult to want to help more and not always be able to do so. Finances are the only barrier standing between Matjie and the completion of her studies. As students get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to access university funding, even when academic performance and commitment are strong. This bursary would relieve an enormous burden and allow her to continue her studies with focus and dignity.
Matjie is living proof that hard work, excellence and passion are not limited by age or circumstance. This opportunity would not only change her life but would also positively impact the many young learners she dreams of teaching in the future.
Thank you for considering this nomination and for giving hope to hardworking individuals who refuse to give up on their dreams.
Kind regards,
Martin Sipho Chemese
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