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Ursula triumphs in face of adversity

Ursula Bonokwane. © Unknown.
Ursula Bonokwane. © Unknown.

Ursula Bonokwane grew up in difficult economic circumstances in Vergenoeg, Kimberley, in the Northern Cape.

Ursula Bonokwane grew up in difficult economic circumstances in Vergenoeg, Kimberley, in the Northern Cape.

Bonokwane lived in a small house with five cousins and her grandparents. She had good accountancy and mathematics teachers at school, but there were drug and alcohol problems and very few facilities.

Bonokwane was accepted into the Commerce Academic Development Programme (CADP) in 2005. At first she lacked confidence, felt homesick and found having to communicate and study in English very challenging.

"The first time I saw a computer was when I got to the University of Cape Town (UCT)," she says. I was taught in Setswana and spoke only Setswana at school and home. However, being part of the CADP family gave me space to grow. I am much more confident, more open," says Bonokwane.

Initially, Bonokwane was on the four-year B Com programme, but she has done so well that she is now on track to graduate at the end of this year. After she graduates, Bonokwane will read her Post Graduate Diploma in Accountancy at UCT next year.

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