While other matriculants started their final examinations this week, a former top performer from Carletonville is struggling to cover his studies after a provincial government bursary failed to materialise, reports the Carletonville Herald.

Njabulo Peter was the top matriculant at Wonderfontein High School during the 2025 examinations. His father, Sipho Mlalazi, said they applied immediately after seeing the Gauteng Premier’s Office advertise bursaries for top performers.

“I am a widower and only parent, as my wife, Hilda, died in a car accident in 2023,” Mlalazi said. “My son excelled even though he lost his mother and really deserved this help.”

Because the initial bursary criteria included funding for private tertiary institutions, Peter enrolled at an IT college in Pretoria.

“He went to study there as they ensure that graduates will get employed,” Mlalazi said. “We kept in contact with the provincial government to make sure that they will pay for his studies, and they continued to say that they will.”

However, when the family continued to query the payment, an official allegedly told them the policy had changed around May, restricting bursaries to students at public institutions.

“Why did they change their policy halfway through the year and not honour their original commitment to my son?” Mlalazi asked.

Although Peter is excelling academically, he will only qualify for a merit-based bursary next year. In the meantime, his father must find funds to keep him enrolled and is considering selling equipment from his business.

The Gauteng Premier’s Office was asked for comment but did not respond at the time of publication.

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