Buyisile ‘Tracy’ Nyongwana is a double graduate at 22 after enjoying five years of support from The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.

Tracy recently finished up her BSc Chemistry and Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering degrees at the University of the Witwatersrand and is days away from starting her first graduate job at Sasol.

It is an achievement that once seemed impossible for the bright youngster, who saw limited opportunities growing up in rural Ndwedwe.

“My dad is not working and my mom, a security guard, is the breadwinner in my family,” said Tracy.

Her potential was first spotted in high school, at Oakford Sacred Heart Secondary, in Verulam, and she continued to flourish in the Protec after-school programme in Tongaat. Soon a degree at one of South Africa’s top universities beckoned. After securing tuition and housing funding through NSFAS however, Tracy was left to figure out the extra funds for things like lab coats, a laptop and other necessary items not covered.

“Luckily Rose (Stephenson, Orphan Fund co-founder) stepped up and offered to help. When other people called their parents, I called Rose, she is like a second mother to me,” said Tracy.

“She was always only a call away and it is impossible to get across how much I appreciate the support.”

Tracy was also given a stipend to help with on-campus food and other unforeseen costs.

“Knowing that I was getting all this support made me ensure my studies were done properly.

“I used everything the university had on offer, found mentors and study groups and worked as hard as I could. I am so proud of myself for getting through this difficult course with no rewrites or fails. Thank you God.”

Outside of the coursework, Tracy also became involved as a member of the student council in her faculty, acting as secretary in her final year. She said playing sport also helped when trying to take her mind off studies.

“If I was to give any advice to people starting their studies, it would be to throw yourself completely into the experience. There is so much support available if you look for it, do not think you need to go through it alone.”

Now graduated, Tracy is readying herself for a job at Sasol in Secunda, Mpumalanga. Though nervous, she is battle-tested under pressure and ready to take her next step.

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