St Stithians girls set to conquer engineering world
Taliyah Thomas and Nqobile Makhubu, best friends and high achievers, are venturing into engineering with aspirations in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, showcasing their dedication to excellence.
When I first walked through the gates of St Stithians Girls’ College, I couldn’t have imagined the opportunities, challenges, and triumphs that would shape my journey. My name is Taliyah Thomas, and my story at Saints has been one of growth, resilience, and friendship. Alongside my close friend, Nqobile Makhubu, I have worked hard to build a future that not only reflects our dreams but also honours the support and faith others have shown in us.
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I joined St Stithians in 2020 as a Grade 8 boarder from Mid-Ennerdale Primary School in Ennerdale. Transitioning to high school was tough. I was away from home, adjusting to a new environment, and finding my feet academically. Nqobile joined Saints in 2022 through the Thandulwazi Maths and Science Academy FET Bursary, after attending St Matthews School in Soweto. Despite joining the school at different times, we connected deeply during our Grade 11 year when Nqobile moved into boarding.
Both of us come from humble beginnings, and our education at Saints was made possible by generous donor funding. This support inspired us to make the most of every opportunity. We understood that success wasn’t confined to the classroom; it required effort, sacrifice, and commitment beyond the curriculum.
Our shared passion for engineering became a driving force. I vividly remember being awarded a scholarship to a Global Citizen Programme in Grade 9. It was a transformative experience that spanned three months, exposing me to global leaders from companies like Google and NASA. Similarly, Nqobile’s award of the Investec High School Bursary in Grade 11 opened doors to programmes like the Investec Developing Tech Day, where she explored cutting-edge technology and worked in teams to solve complex problems.
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One of the highlights of our journey was attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Africa, ISASA, and St John’s College Mathematics and Science Seminar in Grade 11. Together, we joined 100 students from across the country to tackle themes like sustainable energy and climate change. The experience deepened our love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and affirmed our decision to pursue engineering careers.
Our Saints journey wasn’t just about academics, though. While I devoted myself to the performing arts: writing, directing, and starring in school productions, Nqobile immersed herself in the cultural life of the school, excelling in chess, choir, and the Marimba Ensemble. She also completed 210 hours of community engagement during her three years at St Stithians Girls’ College, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to making a difference.
The balance between academics and extracurriculars was challenging but rewarding. With mutual encouragement, Nqobile and I consistently achieved academic excellence, maintaining averages above 80% throughout high school. By matric, we had a combined total of 11 distinctions, with my average at 84% and Nqobile’s at 83%.
As we close this chapter of our lives, we do so with immense gratitude and excitement for the future. I am proud to have secured funding from the SASOL Mining Bursary and Standard Bank, which will fully support my studies in Mechanical Engineering at either the University of Cape Town or the University of Pretoria. Meanwhile, Nqobile will be pursuing Biomedical Engineering at WITS University, supported by the Investec Tertiary Bursary.
Our journey at Saints has been life-changing. It has taught us resilience, ignited our passions, and instilled a belief that no dream is too big to chase. As we move forward, we carry with us the lessons learned, the friendships built, and the determination to leave a lasting impact in our fields.
St Stithians Girls’ College gave us the foundation to not only dream but to turn those dreams into reality. We are ready to embrace the challenges ahead and create a future filled with purpose, innovation, and excellence.
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