If everything goes according to plan, Alexandra may soon have its own astronomer by the name of Mandisa Tshabalala.
Mandisa has just been accepted at Wits University for a Bachelor of Science majoring in astronomy and astrophysics. She has also been accepted at North-West University for chemical engineering, the University of Pretoria for a Bachelor of Science in genetics, and Nelson Mandela Bay University for a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and physiology.
The Richfield Institute had contacted her soon after the results became public without even applying and asked her to join them.
All this comes after Mandisa passed her matric with flying colours at Newgate College in Houghton, earning five distinctions to her name in physical science, geography, lifesciences, religious studies, and in IsiZulu as the first additional language.
Mandisa, who was doing eight subjects for her matric, missed a sixth distinction in mathematics with a whisker of only eight marks and obtained 65% for life orientation and 67% for English as a home language.
On application for admission pending the outcome of her matric results, Mandisa said Wits declined to offer her the first choice of astronomy and astrophysics but when they got wind of her pass marks, they quickly changed their mind and reverted to what she had applied for in the first place.
When asked for her muthi or recipe of success, the humble Alex-born lass at Masakhane Clinic who hails from the Phase 1 flats, said her only muthi was paying maximum attention
to her schoolwork.
Her mother, Girly Tshabalala, described her as a bookworm type of person who hardly goes out to socialise. “Yes, from time to time, she would leave her books to get fresh air outside the house but would never leave the yard, and the next thing we are told she was seen at some tavern or gig.
“She’s quiet and reserved but not when it comes to debating issues as she is an ardent debater and engages all of us at home on various subject matters,” said single parent Tshabalala.
Mandisa, a former MC Weiler and Ithute primary schools learner, then interjected her mother’s speech and said, “knowledge must be shared” in reference to the debating issue.
Some of her teachers agreed to pop out monies as part of their motivation to encourage her to do well, saying if she collected the distinctions, they were prepared to fork out R100 per subject.
“I am a rich girl,” she said and indicated to Alex News that she was still to visit the school for her results and collect her windfall as well. At some point, Tshabalala approached
the teachers to persuade them not to put too much pressure on Mandisa as she was fearful of the pressure being exerted on her.
“I felt too much pressure would lead to anxiety and also stress her up. I am happy she made it.”
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