S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
Menu
Maite would love to see changes in the healthcare services provided to the people.
From a very young age I have always had a passion for helping people and promoting good health. When my uncle became a paramedic, I was always asking for his stethoscope to test my grandmother and my great grandmother’s heartbeats. I’m very passionate about helping people return to their natural state of health, which is why I chose to pursue a career in medicine.
I would say firstly I was inspired by my grandmother Lucy Mmatshabalala Matlwane Maanaso. My grandmother seemed to be able to come up with random remedies for certain illnesses. She was a natural doctor. I remember during COVID-19, she made some remedies saying they would keep our immune systems strong and for me that was amazing. Her remedies worked because we were never infected by the disease. Also, witnessing people with critical health conditions made me feel hopeless because I didn’t have the necessary skills to help. These health challenges motivated me to choose this course so that I can attain the skills required to assist those people.
I would love to see a change in the healthcare services provided to people. In most sections of South Africa (SA), particularly in rural areas, healthcare services are extremely poor. I believe that the change starts with me and my fellow peers. We need to advocate for better healthcare services for our people. As previously said that the health of a nation is its wealth. I am going to advocate for better healthcare services to everyone regardless of race, gender, nationality, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or any other factor that makes us diverse.
I matriculated from Mmalesiba Secondary School, located in a small village called Enable in Ga Sekororo in Limpopo. My school is not privileged at all and lacks many resources. There are not enough classrooms and it is in bad condition. The school does not have labs and computers, sometimes there is a shortage of books and stationery. But the teachers are amazing in the way that they make sure learners perform like learners in privileged schools. Very strict teachers, but at the end we realised that they just want what is best for us.
The principal is Mam Shayi. For mathematics: Mam Moagi and Mr Manyere; Sepedi: Mam Shokane, Mmalebati, Mawasha; Physics: Mam Maponya, Mr Nkhwashu; English: Mr Letswalo; Life Science: Mr Mthembi; History: Mr Mmola: Geography: Mr Sentsho; Accounting: Mr Seerane, Mam Shayi; Business: Mam Baloyi; Agriculture: Mr Mogoboya; Tourism: Mr Seerane; andEconomics: Mam Mshwana.
Maths and physical science are two really challenging subjects. The feeling of always having an obstacle to face can be draining but when you think of the joy that comes with winning the challenge, it makes you want to face each and every obstacle head on. I loved these two subjects because they would always keep my mind busy. Even when I’m sleeping, I keep thinking of that one problem I couldn’t solve and I’m searching for another way to solve it. I’m a person who enjoys listening to music so another reason for loving these subjects was that I could practise them while jamming to my favourite sounds all the way.
I think not doing well in these subjects may be due to lacking time and commitment to these subjects. Maths and science require you to take time and practice to master all the required skills. I used to struggle a lot in maths due to not practising and I never in my life imagined I will be so brilliant at it . In Grade 12 I started to perform above expectation in this subject. With science I never struggled much in the lower grades but in Grade 12 my marks dropped. For the finals, I guess I was better equipped with ‘firearms’ and ‘fired’ well in the finals. Those who struggle need to learn to love these subjects. When you love them, you will be eager to practice and thus you become better and better.
For grade 12, it doesn’t matter how you got into that grade but what matters is the results you will produce. Don’t procrastinate, start studying now as it would make things much better for you in the final year exams. You need that year mark from your yearly assessments. For those in Grade 11, you must know that this grade builds a foundation for a lot of work to be donein Grade 12. You better start being serious because you are going to need your final grade 11 marks for applications to universities.
Apply on time. Applications will soon be closing so make sure that as soon as they open you apply and also apply for funding. Applications can be draining sometimes so get someone to help you so that you are not academically disturbed.
Hard work, persistence, perseverance and the love for education makes me an achiever.
Even in the crisis of unemployment let’s not use that as an excuse not to learn. We are the future leaders so let’s prepare for tomorrow by making sure we are academically strengthened. Don’t let your circumstances define you.
To my teachers in pre school, primary, high school and all my teachers in my village:.Continue to build the future at my schools. There is no profession that is as important as yours because you build the future by providing the relevant information to us. I love you all and thank you for the support you provided me.
I would choose Nelson Mandela. I would thank him for leaving a mark showing how important education is in a person’s life. He influenced my ideas about the importance of education.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
Subscribe to our eNews
Sign up to receive news on what is happening in science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa
