Thabiso Miya (20), BSc Industrial Engineering, Vosloorus, WITS

Thabiso Miya is a third year in Industrial engineering at the University of Witwatersrand. “Growing up we never really had much; for as long as I can remember we were renting in people's back rooms for shelter until 2012 when my father decided to take a mortgage on a house since my Matric was nearing and.
After having spent literally my whole life sharing a bedroom (sometimes a bed) with my siblings brother and sister, I made a vow to myself to utilise the opportunity at hand at the time because I was finally going to have my own bedroom in which I would study, and enjoy my very own privacy.
Fast forward to Matric I made that vow a reality. After having obtained borderline incompetent marks in grade 11, I worked as hard as I had ever before in my life and managed to pass Matric with 5/7 distinctions, with 100% for Maths and Physics”. 
Thabiso wants to specialise in Stock Investing, Product development, Project management, and Manufacturing Design.  

Noluthando Mthethwa (18), BSc Actuarial Science, KwaThema, WITS: 

On the passing of her mother in 2010 she was raised by her grandmother and her aunt, life was not easy but they always did their best to provide a good life for her. She loved to participate in spelling bee competitions, and was a very dedicated learner. She’s been in the top 3, of top achievers at her school since grade 11 and has been very consistent ever since.
“I’m studying Actuarial Science by the University of Witwatersrand, and would like to specialise in risk management of financial services and transportation”.
“The varsity experience will be a bit scary and exciting, but with all the guidance I have received, half of the pressure has been lifted. I am looking forward to sleepless nights and more studying than I’m used to”.     

Thabo Ranamane (19), BSc in Computer sciences, Tsakane, WITS:

Thabo grew up in a family of four, he was raised by a single parent “a strong women, my heroine” he mentions. “Our household was (and still is) one of openness, with my mother spearheading discussions that would usually be had by young boys and their fathers. Ours is a very small household in the township of Tsakane, Langaville, this homestead is where I was taught to be a principled, kind and a mostly compassionate young man. 
“With the final intention of specialising in software engineering and development, I’ll be doing my first year studying BSc in Computer sciences”. 
“Varsity is said to be challenging, yet exciting, diverse, informative, encouraging of creativity and testing to ones limits, all this is what I expect from it and would not want it any other way”.   

Thabo Moyo (18), BSc Mathematical Science, Tsakane, WITS:

“My residences lies on the edge of Tsakane where dust meets fun, however I grew up in Wattville, another dimension location”. Thabo grew up under a “strict wing” as he states with curfews, ethics and morals. Discipline seemed to be the only way how people would measure he’s humbleness but it’s actually he’s upbringing that made such a humble young man.    
“I always had the endeavour to lead, I was the captain of my soccer team in 2013 that won the Actonville tournament. I was head boy in primary school, in grade 10, I became the youngest ever head boy of our school”. In 2015 Thabo got selected to be part of the Ekurhuleni junior city councillor from 2015 to 2017. 
He will be studying Mathematical Science by the University of Witwatersrand in he’s 1st year, and will specialise in advanced mathematics of finance.

Mpho Letlalo (21), BSc Chemical Engineering, Vosloorus, WITS: 

Mpho (21) is from Vosloorus and lives with my grandmother.” Growing up was difficult because I had only my grandmother and my late uncle. I believe education is the only way I can better my life and my grandmother’s life”.
Mpho is in his second year he obtained 4 distinctions and in he’s matric year he received 7 distinctions. Thabo is in he’s 3rd year studying Chemical Engineering at the university of Witwatersrand. 
“I expect varsity to be challenging and stressful, and I also expect to meet different people from all walks of life. I expect the experience to be good despite the challenges that come with varsity”   

Lebogang Mogajane (19), BSc in Actuarial Science, Tsakane, WITS: 

I was raised by my mother since my father was away due to work commitments. I grew up in a loving household where I was taught from a young age to be an independent young girl who stands for what she believes in”     
“In 2015, I attended Tholuwazi Secondary School in Tsakane, where I was their best learner”. This year Lebogang will be studying BSc in Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria  
“I expect varsity to be interesting in such a way that I will broaden my knowledge and liberate my thinking”.

Disebo Mapole (17), Accounting, Tsakane, WITS:

Disebo lives with her grandparents, mother and 3 siblings in the township of Tsakane, she was raised by her single mother. “I love to play chess and sing in the choir, my achievements to date is being one of the luck learners to be funded by the Peermont education Trust, being in the top 15 of top matriculents achievers in Ekurhuleni”.
She was the top learner at her school in 2017 and this year will be studying Bachelors of accounting at the University of Johannesburg. 

Daisy Mashigo (17), BSc in biological Science, Tembisa, WITS:

“Like flowers, I brighten up the atmosphere, I am Daisy from the dusty streets of Tembisa”. I use that epitome to describe my character, like a daisy I remain dormant until the atmosphere feels right for me to shine brightly. I’m extremely shy in new environments but with time, ambitious, free spirited, hardworking, dreamy and persistent.
Her biggest achievements to date is being part of the Gauteng debating league in high school and to be chosen  for the ‘Take a girl child to work day campaign’ sponsored by Cell C at Regent life Insurance. She will be studying BSc in biological Science by the University of Witwatersrand.