SEDIBENG.- Engen Maths and Science School learner, Nhlamulo Eugene Chauke, 17 an alumnus of Leshata Secondary School in Orange Farm lives by the mantra:  “Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them”.

He also believes that what others think of you is none of your business, and this is what drove him to secure a coveted place to study Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape this year and take third place at the Gauteng Engen Maths and Science ceremony awards which were held at Zakarriya Park on February 18^th.

Looking back, Nhlamulo says it was tough growing up without a father and sometimes having to worry about whether there was any food in the house.

“Where I live it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but regardless he always gives of his best.”

Chauke advises the matrics of 2023 to study hard but to first try and understand themselves. His dream for the future is to be independent one day.

“I want to finish my studies and get a good job as a microbiologist and possibly even try acting.  I’ll never know until I give it a try and take the first step.”

Chauke says that he is grateful to his friends for their support and motivation as well as to Engen. The free supplementary support and encouragement he received from the Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS), which he attended every Saturday over his matric year at Zakarriya Park motivated him to excel.

“Thanks to EMSS I was able to grasp some of the complicated concepts as the school provides accessible solutions that make studying a bit easier.  The focus is on helping learners rather than just rushing through the syllabus.”

The Engen Maths and Science Schools have run for over 35 years, and offer underprivileged grade 10-12 learners free supplementary Maths, Science, and English tuition on Saturdays at ten locations across South Africa. Engen’s manager of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr James Nyawera explains that the EMSS program focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in “gateway” subjects such as mathematics and science.

“These subjects are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development,” said Nyawera.

“The EMSS program seeks to harness the potential of talented young people in difficult circumstances and to also contribute to the pool of scarce skills in the country,” he added.

Engen said that, as a company, it is incredibly proud of Nhlamulo and all EMSS learners who completed matric in 2022, often despite extremely trying circumstances.

As a company, Engen champions the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 – Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“Engen is keenly aware that access to quality education and gender equality is everybody’s business, and that it owes it to its employees, customers, and broader society to make every effort to drive positive change,” said Khalid Latiff, Engen’s General Manager: Corporate Strategy and Communications.