Local top achiever asks for help

Tlotliso Sejojo (18) believes it is his love of books and hard work that earned him these results.

“I grew up in Duduza with my twin brother Letlotlo Sejojo and we were raised by our single mother, Jerminah Sejojo.

“My foundation in learning began at the Mmuso Primary School until I moved to Asser Maloka for Grade Eight.

“From a young age I have always loved studying, to the extent that if my teachers were late for a lesson, I would rush out and remind them that it was our period,” he says.

Sejojo shares that even in his spare time he has always found himself glued to his books.

What he loves about reading is that he is able to gain knowledge and learn something new every time.

This also ignited in him the desire to become a lawyer years ago.

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“Though I managed to get seven distinctions in my final year, I am not too pleased about the percentages I obtained.

“But I still believe that did well against all odds. Since my mother doesn’t earn much, I had to study hard, being in the township, and still survived an ordeal just before my exams,” he says.

Due to knocking off at school in the evenings after studying, on August 31 Sejojo was robbed of his phone and school tablet, which contained most of his additional study material.

Through the help of the police, he managed to recover his phone and tablet, but all his study material had been erased from both devices.

“I had to start afresh and at times started relying only on hard copies. But instead of crumbling under the pressure, this made me work harder.

“In fact, I opted to see this as a blessing, and when prelim results came back, I was thrilled when I got seven distinctions.

“That really boosted my confidence and made me push even harder to get the same results in my finals,” he says.

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Through hard work, the youngster from Duduza obtained distinctions in Sesotho, English, mathematical literacy, geography, history, life sciences and life orientation.

Looking back, Sejojo says his love of learning helped him really enjoy Grades 11 and 12.

He adds that these grades are not as difficult as people think but just need one’s full attention, preparation and dedication.

“My social life had to take a back seat, especially before and during exam time.

“I would sacrifice and come to school early and leave late to study, pay attention, ask questions in class and study hard.

“As young people we have free education and a lot of opportunities, study materials and devices, but sometimes don’t use this to our advantage,” he says.

Sejojo thanks God, his mother, family, teachers, the Department of Education and his study mates, including Thamisanqa Radebe, for all their love and support.

Though he is looking at studying law at the University of the Witwatersrand, at the moment he is still trying to get a bursary to be able to further his studies.

“I am pleading for anyone who can help me as I need funding for my studies because I am not prepared to sit around or to go work yet.

“I would truly love to further my studies first before seeking employment,” he says.

Anyone who can help Sejojo can contact him on 071 005 5576.