The dreams of Paulpietersburg’s Snethemba Khumalo are about to take flight.
In 2007, Oprah Winfrey opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, as a gift to late, great statesman, Nelson Mandela.
Winfrey pledged to build a world-class school for girls, since she and Madiba believed education was a way to end poverty in South Africa.
One of the girls benefiting from that belief is young Snethemba, who is the first from the Zululand District to be accepted for this prestigious academy.
This is after her mother, Philile applied on her behalf to the academy in February.
Snethemba has been top of her class every year since starting her primary schooling career.
After being shortlisted for the academy, she had to write an entrance examination in April, which she passed.
The second phase to admission required a three-day camp at the academy, which involved intensive testing, clinical interviews and psychological tests, which she also passed with flying colours.
Snethemba was accepted to the academy in October, after a home visit from an academy social worker.
This scholarship covers all relevant expenses and will be reviewed after Grade 9, with the opportunity to be extended until Grade 12 (matric).
Snethemba has a bright future ahead of her and is hoping to study to become an IT specialist abroad, after completing her final year at the academy.
The Herald congratulates Snethemba on this accomplishment and wishes her well in her adventures in Meyerton!

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