Kutlwano Magazine

At last I made it

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Gaone Busang

Location : SELIBE PHIKWE

Event : Life experience

From a young age I dreamt a life of being an independent woman.

I dreamt of myself as woman who has have a stable career and lots of money and a family. I grew up in a place called Botshabelo in Selibe Phikwe with my mother, grandparents and siblings.

The grandparents provided for us since my mother was not working. I did exceptionally well at primary school and I managed to get a B at PSLE despite the life hardships. I passed my JC with grade B too.

I proceeded to Selibe Phikwe Senior for my form 4 and 5. My world crumbled after the BGCSE results. I did not do well. I stayed home for a year trying to find a tertiary school that will admit me with my results.

I received no response not even a regret letter after writing endless application letters. In 2006 I looked for a work as I was home doing nothing. I joined a Microlith company a T-shirt producing company in Selibe Phikwe. I was the youngest in the firm.

I left after 5 months of working trying to do something better with my life. In 2007 I registered with GSS study group under BOCODOL to rewrite some of the failed subjects.

I did not write due to financial constraints for my exam fee. In 2008 I registered with Meepong JSS under BOCODOL again.

Everything went well and my mother paid for my exam fee. I passed but tragedy struck again. I was admitted in three tertiary schools but I did not get sponsorship due to economic downturn (2009) I ended up working in a Liquor Rest in Francistown.

In 2010 life was very difficult for me but I had hope that it shall be well. I joined Ipelegeng as I was home and doing nothing. I told myself I will never give up.

One day I visited one of my friends and I found a copy of Mmegi Newspaper with University of Botswana advert calling on first years to apply. I was in a pool of confusion and doubt. I thought I was not the type for UB.

I believed I belonged to technical colleges or brigades.

My sister encouraged me to apply and she gave me money for application fee which was P180 then. I continued with my work at Ipelegeng waiting patiently for response. Months passed and nothing happened.

It was hard but all I wanted was money to buy myself some toiletry rather asking from my mother.

Around May my mother went to the post office and she found a big white envelope with a UB logo on addressed my name on it. My heart nearly stopped a bit. I could not believe it. I pinched myself.

I opened the letter and found admission letter. Laughter and joy filled my heart but I had doubt of passing since UB is a higher institute of learning and I was afraid of fail and discontinue popularly known as FD.

I applied for government sponsorship which I was awarded.

I told myself I made it already I am ready to do it again.

I am pursuing my BA in Media Studies and for my past 6 semesters I managed to pass all my subjects with no supplements or retakes and I am looking forward to my 4th year.

Hard work pays and we are the architects of our own destiny. Ends