TWO teenage orphans who are mothers themselves are pushing towards getting their Matric qualifications.
The siblings, of Metsi village in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, will do their matric at Ian MacKenzie High School in Mkhuhlu this year.
Philly Nthane, 19, has a one-year-old daughter.
Her 18-year-old sister, Tinyiko Khoza, also has a one-year-old daughter as well as another born 20 days ago.
The girls' parents died several years ago.
"I am excited about being in matric," Philly said.
She said growing up by themselves had not been easy.
"It was hard when my parents died," Philly recalled. "I found a boyfriend and we lived together until I fell pregnant.
"The baby's father is supportive and I also get a state grant for my child.
"She goes to a creche when I go to school. I pay R70 every month."
The two sisters go to the same school, have the same subjects and are in the same class. Their subjects are business studies, maths literacy, Xitsonga, English, history, tourism and agricultural sciences.
Philly said they decided to study together so that they could improve their lives.
She wants to become a social worker when she completes her matric.
"I want to help children who go through what my sister and I went through. It is tough and orphans need all the support they can get," she said.
Tinyiko was not available to speak to Sowetan.
The sister of the father of Tinyiko's children said she was happy that Tinyiko was determined to go to school and write her matric.
"My family is happy that she is going to school. We are hopeful that she will pass because she is intelligent. We will give her all the support she needs," the 30-year-old said.
Philly said: "I know my sister and I will make it. We will work hard and stay focused".
She said they had to walk for about two hours every day to to get to school.
- Meanwhile, the provincial department of human settlements is building an RDP house for the sisters.
This was decided after an employee at their school, Phumla Nyathi, asked the department to intervene.
The sisters at present live at a neighbour's house because they are afraid their mud house will collapse.
- mashabas@sowetan.co.za
Sisters bent on passing Matric
TWO teenage orphans who are mothers themselves are pushing towards getting their Matric qualifications.
The siblings, of Metsi village in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, will do their matric at Ian MacKenzie High School in Mkhuhlu this year.
Philly Nthane, 19, has a one-year-old daughter.
Her 18-year-old sister, Tinyiko Khoza, also has a one-year-old daughter as well as another born 20 days ago.
The girls' parents died several years ago.
"I am excited about being in matric," Philly said.
She said growing up by themselves had not been easy.
"It was hard when my parents died," Philly recalled. "I found a boyfriend and we lived together until I fell pregnant.
"The baby's father is supportive and I also get a state grant for my child.
"She goes to a creche when I go to school. I pay R70 every month."
The two sisters go to the same school, have the same subjects and are in the same class. Their subjects are business studies, maths literacy, Xitsonga, English, history, tourism and agricultural sciences.
Philly said they decided to study together so that they could improve their lives.
She wants to become a social worker when she completes her matric.
"I want to help children who go through what my sister and I went through. It is tough and orphans need all the support they can get," she said.
Tinyiko was not available to speak to Sowetan.
The sister of the father of Tinyiko's children said she was happy that Tinyiko was determined to go to school and write her matric.
"My family is happy that she is going to school. We are hopeful that she will pass because she is intelligent. We will give her all the support she needs," the 30-year-old said.
Philly said: "I know my sister and I will make it. We will work hard and stay focused".
She said they had to walk for about two hours every day to to get to school.
This was decided after an employee at their school, Phumla Nyathi, asked the department to intervene.
The sisters at present live at a neighbour's house because they are afraid their mud house will collapse.
- mashabas@sowetan.co.za
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