Pretoria -
Although Phillipine Tladi kept her family members in the dark about her cry for help, they are thrilled that Pretoria News readers have generously given so much more than she could have dreamt of.
Phillipine said she was awestruck at how strangers rallied to her aid, paying off her outstanding fees at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and then offering to help her further her studies.
Phillipine, who wrote to Pretoria News about her plight, said her family had not believed her at first.
“I told my sister (Johanna) that people had paid off my entire school fees, but she didn’t believe me until I showed her the copy of the Pretoria News with my story in it,” she said.
Aside from money gifted - which is being held in a Pretoria News charity account for her future needs - the managing director of an IT company has offered her a full bursary.
It will include paying her fees, support in terms of textbooks and technology, accommodation, a holiday job, mentoring and food vouchers.
“It is important to take care of her family because Phillipine needs one less thing to worry about; this will encourage her to give her undivided attention to her studies,” said the IT boss, who has asked not to be named.
He said he could relate to her situation because he too grew up under impoverished conditions, “thus it was only noble that I play my part in assisting her with her studies”.
Phillipine has decided to continue with her studies at TUT where she started and will register next week.
- Pretoria News Weekend