AN Eastern Cape youth who nearly missed out on studying at a university because of a lack of funds, is on course to fulfil his dream of becoming a pharmacist.

Academics, a lawyer and a well-known pharmacy retail chain have banded together to rewrite Siyabonga Ntutu's post-matric script. This month, the youngster was among thousands of firstyear students beginning their academic life at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

Ntutu matriculated from Sandisiwe High School in Mdantsane, East London, last year. He excelled at maths and science despite the school having limited resources. He credits extra instruction at the Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology, where he spent most weekends, for this.

But the funding possibilities were bleak. "I began to lose hope when people started complaining about NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme] and how it had rejected students."

Ntutu approached a family friend, "Uncle George", who is advocate George Maxakato, about his problem. Maxakato contacted Sue Smailes, a special projects director at Rhodes, and dean of pharmacy Professor Rod Walker.

Smailes and Walker encouraged Ntutu to apply, and he was accepted, still without funding. "My parents could never afford the thousands needed for my studies," Ntutu said.
It was also too late to apply for funding and all he could do was patiently wait for a miracle. A day before registration, Ntutu got a message from "Uncle George" to pack his bags.

Walker had contacted the Dis-Chem Foundation to find out if it could assist Ntutu. The foundation obliged. Dis-Chem co-owner Niall Hegarty said: "We are all worse off if we cannot help ... young people."

Article source: Weekend Post

Article by: Xolisa Phillip

ROAD TO SUCCESS: Siyabonga Ntutu is on the way to achieving his goal to become a pharmacist