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05 January 2018 Photo Igno van Niekerk
Making a difference is Angela’s superpower
Dr Angela Stott-Vogt is passionate about making a difference wherever she goes.

As part of the Schools Partnership Project (SPP) based on our South Campus, Angela Stott-Vogt’s main work consists of mentoring science teachers in previously disadvantaged communities. As a passionate educator with an incredible eye for talent, it wasn’t long before her path crossed with those of the cream of learners. Several of these learners have all the odds stacked against them—poverty, lack of learning resources, unqualified or disinterested teachers. Yet, from the ashes of despair, Angela identifies phoenixes and makes them fly. 

When Angela starts sharing stories, there is no pretence or ego, but a clear sense of commitment, empathy, and passion are evident in every sentence.

“So, there’s this kid: Grade 8; dirt poor. Used to live with his mother, but she’s dead now—a desperate situation. But he loves science. He wants to buy a science kit from me. I asked him what he was willing to pay. He had R100. I told him that I would give it back to him if he worked through the Grade 10-12 books, which I then gave him. Within a few weeks he was back. I made him write the test I usually give teachers. They average about 60%. He got 90%. Next thing, he wants a chemistry kit. We got it sponsored. A comprehensive one. Worth more than R20 000. Then, by negotiating with a principal, we got him into a prestigious school. The other day he was in the school’s team for the Science Olympiad. They got into the final round. Then, a tiebreaker: A difficult question. Guess who knew the answer? Yes, he did. Won the competition for his school.”

Angela’s stories flow into one another. The same themes: Poverty and Potential. Creating opportunities. There are more children she is helping; each is a young scientist. There is a young boy who stays in a single-room house with his mom. The room is divided by sheets, which function as walls. In his ‘room’, he keeps a box of components and ‘science things’ he has collected from a rubbish dump nearby. When Angela assisted him in registering for a recent Science Expo, the boy needed string for his project. Angela smiles. “You know where he got it?” She pauses: “He used the string that was used to hang the sheets. There’s opportunity everywhere.”

And she is right, because everywhere she goes, Angela Stott-Vogt creates opportunities. Whether it be through science kits, expo participation, teacher mentorship, or learning opportunities—Angela’s superpower is making a difference.

News Archive

“Deploy your education and not connections,” Chancellor tells graduates
2012-05-16

 

Qwaqwa Autumn Graduation
Photo: Thabo Kessah
16 May 2012

Our Qwaqwa Campus conferred 424 degrees, diplomas and certificates at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony held on 12 May 2012.

Amongst the degrees conferred were two doctorates in Polymer Science, two Master’s of Arts in Geography and African Languages, respectively, five Master’s of Science degrees in Physics (3) and Polymer Science (2) and 37 honours degrees in Education, Zoology, Physics, Botany and Polymer Science.

In their congratulatory messages, both the Vice-Rector: Institutional Affairs, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, and the Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, challenged the graduates to start focusing their attention beyond their graduation on what they both referred to as “the real world”.

“Graduation ceremonies are a fantastic event, but you must never lose sight of appreciating the support given by those around you,” said Dr Mokhele.

“This hall was full of shouting and yes, you must bask in that glory, knowing that you have achieved part of your goals. Yes, this is your moment, so shine. You deserve it. You have earned it.”

“However, this noise also means you must go out there and face the real world. You are graduating in a model country on how people can reconcile, despite their painful and divided past. You deserve all the accolades, but that model country is disappearing before your eyes. How can you mess up what Mandela, Biko, Sobukwe, Nardine Gordimer lived and fought for? How can you mess up such a good thing?” Dr Mokhele asked of an attentive audience that included proud parents and siblings, as well as educators and learners from the Thabo Mofutsanyana District.

“Go out there and deploy your education and not your connections, as these are embedded in corruption. Go out there and help get rid of the patronage system where hard-workers are more likely to be constructively dismissed as they stand in the way of those with corrupt tendencies. Save this country from becoming another Zimbabwe. Let us do whatever it takes to save this country. Let these matriculants who are here today want to walk that red carpet with pride in the next few years,”,said Dr Mokhele.

Dignitaries in attendance included the former Chief Minister of the former Qwaqwa homeland, Dr T K Mopeli; the Executive Mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Councillor Tjhetane Mofokeng; Dr SWF Moloi (Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District) and representatives from various government departments.
 

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