SANRAL Scholarship produces bright star
Luzuko Jack, who graduated from Victoria Park High School last year, knows what it takes to shine
Luzuko Jack is realising his dream of studying engineering thanks to a SANRAL scholarship.
Jack, who matriculated from Victoria Park High School last year, is registered at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University(NMMU) in Port Elizabeth. He joined the university’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Pipeline Project in Grade 11. It was at the STEM PP classes that he learned about the scholarship programme.
“I was looking for funding for high school as it was very expensive for my
family. I wanted to relieve them of the pressure of paying for school fees as my mother is unemployed and we all depend on my sister, and that’s why I applied. Even though I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Jack is the first in his family to pursue an engineering degree.
“I am proud of myself. I have a passion for technology and I hope to use mechatronics and technology to benefit South Africa one day,” he says. His Mechatronics course includes 10 modules, including his majors, mathematics and physical science, computer science, engineering drawing and materials science.
“The workload is really a lot,” he says, “but I’d like to think I have good time-management skills, because I’m still coping and still have time to learn everything I need to know. University requires a lot more of self-discipline than high school. I worked hard then on keeping my work ethic, so I definitely use that skill now.”
In his spare time, Luzuko enjoys reading and playing sport in his local community in Zwide. “I also enjoy cooking and playing video games in my spare time.”
But despite his many outside interests, he is passionate about learning and would like to go as far in his studies as possible.
Luzuko has some great advice for other young up-and-comers: “I think people should study after high school, even though the pressures of studying further are great. Once you have your degree, you will reap the rewards. And you’ll be able to make the world a better place by contributing your knowledge and applying your passion.”
In terms of role models, Luzuko’s big sister has that covered. She ensures that their family of six never goes to bed on an empty stomach. “I will always be grateful for that,” he says. “She has
managed to keep the family together and happy; I admire her for that. I hope to do just the same one day.
“I am also inspired by my late father. I want to be as successful as he was. He was able to provide for our every need. He was an exceptional father and I am studying hard, partly as a tribute to him, for raising us the way he did. I hope to make him proud.”
With his attitude toward studying and hard work, there’s no doubt this student will make his whole family exceedingly proud.
At the heart
On 16 June every year, we celebrate Youth Day, named after the events of 16 June 1976, which saw an uprising by Soweto schoolchildren against apartheid, which was triggered by the forced teaching of certain subjects in Afrikaans. The march soon spread across the country and became a major catalyst in the resurgence of anti-apartheid activity.
The public holiday is about commemorating that uprising and honouring those who gave their lives in violent confrontations with the security forces.
The struggle in 1976 had a single focus – ending oppression. Today, life is different in South Africa and so are our challenges.
Young people (those below the age of 35) make up 66% of the population and thus are at the very heart of our future. They face severe challenges. More than 50% are unemployed, HIV infection rates are high, youth-headed households have increased and crime is rampant.
Yet there have been improvements – better and more access to education, housing, water, sanitation, electricity and information technology and resources.
And there is a multiplicity of opportunities – through skills training, bursaries, scholarships and internships. SANRAL is a major player in this field. We hope to keep students like Luzuko Jack studying and growing as professionals.
