
By the end of the year I had four programming certifications on my CV. I did not struggle much and Mr Valdy and Mr Khokhoni smoothed the process. “I enjoyed the JumpCO learnership, having covered much of the course at university.
#Jumpstart 3rd grade robots 6 10 software#
In 2014 while job hunting, a friend pointed her to the JumpCO Software Labs. I passed only one of the four modules and, feeling ashamed, dropped out and went home, having lost my bursary. Both companies never gave up on me, continuing to motivate me and offering me another chance to complete my course. It seemed my life had stopped and I descended into depression. To make things worse I was irresponsible and fell pregnant, which sadly ended in an early miscarriage. I failed some modules and couldn’t graduate. I was over the moon and the partying began! Then the course got difficult. Thulisile continues her candid story: “Fast forward to my third year… Sungard flew me to Cape Town, promising to hire me. Things improved further during school holidays with vacation work and good money, I could help my family’s finances.” Getting lost “Tomorrow Trust secured a bursary via an IT company called SunGard for second year. People in the community respected me too.”įirst year went well with new friends and good prospects. Things were looking up and my family was proud of me, the first person to attend university. She continues, “NSFAS came through for me, paying my tuition fee, books and providing food vouchers. With Tomorrow Trust’s help, Thulisile could stay in res with a monthly stipend.
#Jumpstart 3rd grade robots 6 10 registration#
I explained that I needed help with the registration fee and hoped NSFAS would approve my application.” “For the other kids cooking was better than staying home, but I respectfully declined, thanking them. Thulisile had already been accepted to Study a BSc Information Technology at North-West University. The best thing on offer at Tomorrow Trust was a cooking course. We were off to different companies to find funding!” One evening my caregiver from Africa Tikkun arrived, telling me to be ready bright and early the next day. “Then came the stress tertiary studies expenses. Thulisile’s good matric results opened the door to University.

I could access a school computer occasionally,” says Thulisile. System development stood out because I loved working with computers, even though I did not yet own one. When the university reps visited our school in Grade 11, we learned about various qualifications and careers. “My Mathematics teachers, Mr Chikovhi and Mr Tshabalala, inspired and guided me. She matriculated in 2007 from Jabulile Secondary School in Orange Farm where her teachers liked and motivated her. “My family was very supportive especially my grandmother who means the world to me,” she recalls. “Until I could go to the library by myself, I borrowed books and read anything I could find! I was fascinated by all the new things I learned every day.” Dreams of becoming a pilot drove her to study hard for good grades. Thulisile was always smart at school and her grades were unaffected by the home situation. We did not have much, but my grandmother ensured that all our basic needs were covered,” she said. “My mother passed away when I was 10 and my sister was 5. Thulisile Thukwana (32) from Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg was raised by her grandmother for most of her life.

She is an alumnus of the JumpCO Software Labs. Celebrating youth potential in the technology sphere allows us to share Thulisile Thukwana’s inspiring story. On International Youth Day the world focuses on issues impacting on young people.

Thulisile Thukwana owes her success in life to her grandmother who never stopped believing in her.
