Hard Work & Fear of Disappointing his Parents Helps Bursary Student Gain 7 Distinctions

Adopting the habit of working hard from an early age is what secured a bright future for an aspirant mechanical engineer, Olwethu Bitterhout, from the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

He is one of the 40 beneficiaries from the Class of 2016, who received bursary awards worth R130,000 from the Department of Public Works’ Schools Programme.

Bitterhout matriculated from Solomon Mahlangu Secondary School in the Eastern Cape and obtained seven distinctions.

“The only way I managed to get good results was through hard work. I have been working hard since primary school. I have always been a top achiever. It became a habit to me.

“I just adapted to the processes of studying hard. Being a top learner in my region is not surprising. I have always passed all my subjects with level seven, from primary to high school,” the 18-year-old Bitterhout told SAnews on Friday.

He said maintaining good grades throughout his school years was motivated by a fear of disappointing his parents.

“My parents see me as someone who will change their lives,” he says.

Bitterhout hopes to give back to his community once he completes his studies and establishes a career for himself, and says: “Everyone in my community contributed to the person I am today.”

Bitterhout will be pursuing his post-matric qualification at the University of Cape Town, starting his first year in 2017.

Once they complete their post-matric qualifications, the bursary beneficiaries are obligated by the contract they signed with the department to work for Public Works. This means they will not struggle to find employment after graduating.

The R130,000 bursary for each learner covers tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks, academic resources and monthly allowance.

Source: SAnews.gov.za