Innocent Mashula from Mulenga Secondary School in Vhembe, Limpopo has risen above very difficult circumstances to achieve seven distinction and an average of 92,71% in his final matric exams.
Upon receiving the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship last year, Mashula revealed that his mother, with whom he stayed alone in a one-roomed shack in Ndzelele, has had a stroke which left her disabled and unable to do anything for herself. This meant that before Innocent headed out to school every morning, he had to first bath his mom and ensure that she was also fed. He then travelled a distance of over five km to school by foot every morning. At that stage they were fully dependent on the grant she receives for their financial needs, which is also used to sustain other members of the family.
Regardless, he achieved 100% in Physical Sciences, 97% in Life Orientation, 94% in Geography, 92% in both Life Sciences and Mathematics, 88% in Tshivenda home Language and 86% in English First Additional Language in his final matrix examinsation at the end of last year.
What an achievement. Congratulations Innocent, we celebrate you!