Cape Town - Fears of an uncertain future for Anushqah van der Ventel, 18, the Manenberg High School matriculant who beat the odds by achieving six distinctions, will almost surely be a thing of the past.
In just two days, Anushqah’s fees for her first year as a journalism student at Rhodes University was fully paid for after Good Samaritans answered her plea.
Two Cape Argus reports prompted several Capetonians to reach out to the teen with pledges of donations ranging from R50 to R10 000.
Anushqah had to find R89 000 for residence and tuition at Rhodes University in Grahamstown to study journalism this year.
Anushqah told the Cape Argus on Sunday: “I feel really relieved and overwhelmed by all of the responses.
“The astonishing part is that strangers reached out to help me and I really cannot express my gratitude to them.
“Without their help, I would have been stuck in the same situation.
“I cannot thank them enough for seeing the potential in me.”
With the donations the aspiring TV journalist already has more than R12 000 in her account.
“I have already purchased my bus ticket with some of the money.
“I am so excited for the first step in my academic career and meeting new people,” she said.
Manenberg High School principal Thurston Brown said Inchcape Shipping Service on Monday committed to pay Anushqah’s full tuition fee of R37 700 and R15 300 toward her accommodation for her first year.
In total, the company contributed R53 000 – the bulk of the R89 000 she owes the university.
“The company has committed to pay Anushqah’s full tuition for 2016 and thereafter, depending on whether she is successful or not. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be successful,” Brown said.
He said Manenberg was an extremely challenging community to work in.
“Often at school you feel that your input is more than your output and this drains the educators’ energy.
“Now when one sees a little diamond like Anushqah achieve, it makes one really feel that it is worthwhile. I am extremely proud of her achievement.
“She has shown that she will not succumb to mediocrity as so many other young people have in Manenberg.
“She has realised that it is only through education that she would be able to change her personal circumstances and lift herself out of this quagmire she finds herself in.
“She will definitely serve as an inspiration and positive role model to other youth and especially girls in the area,” Brown said.
Anushqah said she also received a call from Rhodes University vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela who informed her that she would be getting a R29 940 discount on her fees because of her “excellent academic record”.
In an e-mail to the Cape Argus, the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust said it would also interview the teen for a possible scholarship.
Trust manager Stemray Lesch said: “I will make my recommendation to the benefactor and the other two trustees.”
Anushqah said she was touched by the number of people contacting her on social media with messages of encouragement.
“A high school pupil sent me an SMS. She said she was inspired by me and she would try to work as hard as I did,” she said.
“That is what is most important to me – to inspire others to reach their dreams too.”
Cape Argus