Hantam achievers

Thembinkosi Matyeke

The HCET has transformed the lives of many families and individuals in the Hantam district. The stories of four local families follow.

The Matyeka family

Nombulelo, Thembakazi, Thembinkosi and Bulelwa Matyeka were born on a farm in the Hantam district. Nombulelo, who had passed Grade 6, was trained as an ECD teacher when the HCET was established 27 years ago. Since then she has worked at the Trust as an ECD teacher, librarian, and school administrative clerk.

Nombulelo’s daughter Pamela attended HCET institutions from preschool to Grade 9. Benefiting from Trust bursaries, she completed her matric in Colesberg and obtained a degree in social work (cum laude) from the Huguenot College in Wellington. She now works as a social worker in Vredenburg in the Western Cape.

Nombulelo’s son Lwando was also educated at the Trust from preschool to Grade 9. Benefiting from a Trust bursary, he completed his matric at St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein, where he was a prefect in his final year. He is currently the administrative assistant at Umthombo Wolwazi Intermediate School.

Nombulelo’s sister Thembakazi was also trained as an ECD teacher when the HCET started, and still works at the Trust as a Grade R teacher. She continued her studies part-time, and has obtained a teacher’s diploma from the University of the Free State. In 2015, she came second in the Northern Cape ECD awards.

Thembakazi’s daughter Sisiont attended HCET institutions from preschool to Grade 9. Benefiting from Trust bursaries, she completed her matric in Colesberg, and completed a welding course at the West Coast FET College. She now works as a welder in Saldanha Bay.

Nombulelo’s younger brother, Thembinkosi, also attended HCET institutions from preschool to Grade 9. Utilising Trust bursaries, he completed his matric in Colesberg, and trained as a welder at the Pelindaba Skills Institute in Pretoria. A star pupil, he became junior South African welding champion, and represented South Africa at the Skills Olympiad in Helsinki. After several years as a senior welding instructor at the West Coast FET College (see the picture above), he now works as a specialist welder for Afrox in Germiston.

Nombulelo’s younger sister Bulelwa utilised a Trust bursary to obtain a diploma in financial management from the Bloemfontein Technicon, and now works for Metropolitan Life in Colesberg. Both her children are in the Trust school.

The Meyer family

Juanita, Leon and Krisjan Meyer are the children of Adriaan and Charmain Meyer, who live and work on a farm in the Hantam district. After dropping out of the Trust school in Grade 9, Juanita completed the HCET hospitality course, where she was the top student. She won a bursary to a chef’s course in Pretoria, where she was again the best performer. She now works as a chef at the Horse & Mill restaurant in Colesberg.

Benefiting from Trust bursaries, both Leon and Krisjan completed their matric at the Colesberg High School, where Leon was head boy of the hostel. Both have been trained as bank clerks, and they currently work for Standard Bank in Johannesburg.

The Maliti family

Patricia, Honey, Lunga, Sonwabo and Azola are the children of Nzame and Rosy Maliti, who live and work on a farm in the Hantam district.

Patricia utilised a Trust bursary to obtain a diploma in public relations, and currently works at Volkswagen in Uitenhage.

Honey taught at the HCET for eight years, benefiting from intensive classroom coaching, and now teaches at the DM Pretorius High School in Noupoort.

Lunga attended the Trust school from grade R to Grade 9. Benefiting from Trust bursaries, he completed his matric and obtained a diploma in administration at the Bloemfontein Technikon. He now holds a senior managerial position at a large panelbeating company in Bloemfontein.

Sonwabo and Azola also utilised Trust bursaries to complete their matric and train as welders at the Pelindaba Skills Institute in Pretoria. Both are employed by the Atomic Energy Board.

Luyolo Maliti, a relative, also attended the Trust school. He was assisted to complete his matric and obtain a B.Sc in microbiology at the University of the Free State. He then worked for Nestlé in East London, and is currently the Quality Assurance Manager at Sundale Diary in East London .

The Allens family

Angelina and Paula are the children of David and Tysie Allens, who live and work on a farm in the district. A third daughter, Angelina, passed away in 2013.

Delia studied hospitality at the Motheo FET College in Bloemfontein, and then managed a restaurant in Colesberg. She was an intern at the Trust school, and obtained a Level 4 ECD certificate through the Custoda Trust in Delportshoop. She currently teaches at the Christian Academy in Sharonlea, Olivedale.

Paula utilised a Trust bursary to complete her matric, and works as an auxiliary social worker with the ACVV in De Aar while studying to become a fully fledged social worker.