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Lacks funds: Adivhaho Magoma, 19, of Phiphidi village near Thohoyandou in Limpopo, did brilliantly in the matric exams.

PIET RAMPEDI

A MATHS and science wizard who obtained five A and two B symbols in matric last year – including 95 percent in maths – may have to spend a year at home because his parents can’t afford university fees.

More than a month after the results were released, Adivhaho Magoma is still battling to raise funds to pursue his dream despite having applied and been accepted by Wits University to study towards a degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical engineering.

Magoma, 19, of Phiphidi village near Thohoyandou in Limpopo, took many by surprise because his impressive marks were obtained from an under-resourced, poor-performing school that got a 32.5 aggregate in the matric pass rate.

He wrote seven subjects and got 95 percent for maths, 86 percent for physical science, 85 percent for life orientation, 83 percent for geography, 81 percent for Tshivenda, 77 percent for English and 75 percent for life sciences.

The son of a government clerk and a self-employed motor mechanic, Magoma attributed his success to hard work, personal sacrifice and staying clear of “bad friends”.

“I am overwhelmed by the results because I was not expecting them. It gives me the opportunity to dream big because after this result I had hope that I could become someone in life if I work hard,” Magoma said.

The teen’s success did not come cheap: “I never had fun. I stopped hanging out with my friends and spent most of my time studying and consulting teachers. I used to leave home at 6am and come back at 6pm. I would wake up at 2am and study until 6am and then go off to school.”

This was confirmed by former teachers at Guvhuku Secondary School, including principal Moses Tshilate, who said Magoma had broken the school’s record.

The school has 886 pupils who are crammed into 16 classrooms.

Magoma’s results were a confidence booster for the school, with teacher Avhafunani Ramagoma saying the teenager showed that “we are not that bad, we just need to turn the corner”.

Magoma’s mother, Azwindini, said that although she expected the results because of the commitment her son had shown throughout the year, she always worried about how to fund his university fees.

“I do not have money to take him to university. My only hope is that he gets a bursary. I work as a clerk at the Department of Labour and cannot afford it,” Azwindini said.

But Magoma’s dreams of becoming an engineer may not be realised.

He has to raise R86 000 – R39 000 for the course and R47 000 for accommodation, meals and books.

While Wits has offered him a R16 000 scholarship because of his distinctions, he has to raise the balance.

“I have applied for a bursary from the Vhembe District Municipality for R30 000, but have not heard anything yet,” he said.

Now, all Magoma can do is wait.

n Anyone who wants to helpcan call Azwindini at 078 213 4017 or Magoma himself at 078 532 1763.