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Imagine Scholar Bios
Class of 2014
Name: Portia Ngwenya
Professional goal: Social Worker
Student Quote: “Sometimes I ask myself why I was born in a family like this, but I end up saying God created me like this because he is almighty and has a certain purpose.”
What we’ve noticed about Portia: She’s the most responsible 16-year-old on the planet. Portia is always ready to go and teaches the younger students about the importance of body language.
Interesting Fact: She’s the first and only student to bind her Imagine Scholar application.
Book recommendation: The Twits
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Tandzile Dlamini
Professional goal: Optometrist
Student Quote: “I just want to help people because I don’t want them to grow up like I did.”
What we’ve noticed about Tandzile: Tandzile has a witty sense of humor. She has eye problems and wants to help others from underserved communities get much-needed eye care.
Interesting Fact: Has now taken to pronouncing her name differently because it sounds more adult. She’s now officially known as TandZALE.
Book recommendation: Twilight: Breaking Dawn
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Thenjiwe Ndimande
Professional goal: Pharmacist or physicist
Student Quote: “I searched high and low for knowledge and nothing seemed to work out, until Imagine Scholar came to my rescue.”
What we’ve noticed about Thenjiwe: She is the most outgoing and friendly student in Imagine Scholar. She makes a great first impression with everyone she meets.
Interesting Fact: Thenjiwe is being raised by a single dad, which is rare in this area.
Book recommendation: Twilight: New Moon
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Clara Mashwama
Professional goal: Lawyer
Student Quote: “I used to be the girl who really hated school but the Imagine Academy truly changed the way I look at myself now.”
What we’ve noticed about Clara: Clara has the most voracious appetite for books. In the last year, she’s read an amazing 59 books!
Book recommendations: Twilight and Heaven is for Real
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Alucia “Miss Prestigious” Masilela
Professional goal: Doctor
Student Quote: “I am the kind of person who loves a challenge.”
What we’ve noticed about Alucia: Alucia is unbeatable in the game Yep Yep Bong and is also the best birder in the class.
Interesting Fact: She an amazing singer.
Book recommendation: Princess in Waiting
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Jabulane Mtombeni
Professional goal: Farmer
Student Quote: “My life was transformed when I joined Imagine Scholar. Since then I have come across my long hidden identity.”
What we’ve noticed about Jabulane: The class president, Jabulane speaks like a young Barack Obama and holds the respect of his classmates.
Interesting Fact: He is known in his village as Mr. Education.
Book recommendation: Heaven Is For Real
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Mcondisi Shongwe
Professional goal: Doctor
Student Quote: “I am a 16-year-old boy with big dreams for the future and believe that nothing can stop me but myself.”
What we’ve noticed about Mcondisi: Everything about Mcondisi is smooth and has been likened to a young Taye Diggs.
Interesting Fact: He is also the resident Sudoku master.
Book recommendation: Hunger Games
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Themba Mncina
Professional goal: Doctor or rugby player
Student Quote: “I took a deep look on my life and on the things I used to do and I realized they were leading me in the wrong direction.”
What we’ve noticed about Themba: Themba might be the most grateful student. We believe he is truly humbled by the opportunity and that is reflected in his work.
Interesting Fact: Themba is an excellent rugby player. A good balance of speed and power, he plays on the wings but also helps out in the scrums.
Book recommendation: The Secret Vampire
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: “Stormin” Norman Gama
Professional goal: Pilot
Student Quote: “My role model is Nelson Mandela, who showed us to have love and caring for other people.”
What we’ve noticed about Norman: Much to the class’s annoyance, Norman begins every speech to class with “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, people and animals …”
Interesting Fact: His favorite musician in Celine Dion.
Book recommendation: The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda
Student Scholarship Amount:
Name: Victoria Metiso
Professional goal: Doctor
Student Quote: “Being a doctor means a lot to me. I want to be regarded as one of the ‘life-savers’ in South Africa.”
What we’ve noticed about Victoria: Academically, Victoria is the strongest student we have. She was a bit shy when she first came in but has opened up considerably.
Interesting Fact: She has an unbelievable memory and is always a threat in the vocabulary bee.
Book recommendation: Twilight
Student Scholarship Amount:
