​Sbongile Monageng is an example of a young girl who excelled against all odds in her matric results. The 20-year-old from Sebokeng zone 13 in Sedibeng has bagged a bachelors pass with one distinction despite difficult circumstances she went through.
Despite growing up in a toxic environment and having to witness all sorts of violence and abuse, Monageng showed resilience in trying circumstances and passed her matric. She said “I knew my situation was not permanent, and only education was my solution to my situation. I can change everything in my life, hence, I never thought of giving up. I knew that education was the only weapon that one can use to change their situation. I dedicate this pass to my mother; I know she would have been so proud of me”

“Given the journey that I walked, I am so proud of myself to have achieved this, and I am looking forward to a brighter future. I can’t wait to go to university to further my studies. It’s been a long and difficult journey for me just to complete my matric” added a determined Monageng.

Monageng witnessed a brutal abuse of her mother by her father at a young age and later they divorced.  She went through a traumatic rape experience at the age of thirteen (13) by her stepfather, however, she is grateful that she managed to pull through. “This man molested me and threatened to shoot me if I told anyone, but eventually he was arrested. Monageng said things got even worse when she lost her mother in 2017 at age fifteen (15). “It was so unexpected and painful knowing how our family is not getting along”, she added. 

She said immediately after her mother’s passing, she together with her little brother became even more vulnerable.

“After our mother’s passing, I fell pregnant, and our family kicked us out and we didn’t have a home. We had to move from one family member to the other until we decided to rent a one room shack with my little brother. “I had to drop out of school, and we were using a child support grant to pay rent”, Monageng explain.

She expressed her gratitude to the management of Bana Ba Godimo Drop Centre which is one of the organizations funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development. The centre assisted them with therapy, meals, and shelter, and they encouraged them to go back to school.

In 2020 she went to Sizanani Thusanang Comprehensive school to complete her grade 12, but had to go back to grade 11 again because the principal of the school said their school policy does not allow them to take a person who is already in matric.

“Sbongile is a very strong and resilient child with so much potential in her. I can attest if she is given an opportunity she will succeed, she has the drive and passion and it was just unfortunate that she went through all these challenges ordeals”, says Fridah Motsoikha the Director of Bana Ba Godimo Drop Centre.

Monageng said although she wants to study Biomedical Science, she is still not accepted to any institutions, but she is hopeful that she will make it through. She is currently assisting young children with homework at the organization.

The young, articulate, and firm lady who is far too mature for her age says young people with her similar circumstance must work hard so that they break the cycle of poverty in their families. She said matric is the beginning of a brighter future.

"Education has always been my ticket out of poverty because it is the one thing that is guaranteed that nobody can take it away from you," concluded Monageng.

Monageng said growing up in a dysfunctional family is a difficult experience one can go through and as a child you just become a victim of circumstances. She said family fights are bad especially for children and they leave wounds that are not easy to heal.