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12 May 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Supplied
Puseletso Moqomo

A tale of sheer resistance and of never giving up, is what best describes University of the Free State student Puseletso Moqomo’s academic journey.

From changing studies three times, losing NSFAS funding, and not being able to pay her fees, to working as a cashier at a Bloemfontein filling station to fund her education, Moqomo has seen and done it all, and she says she wouldn’t change a single thing about her journey.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Genetics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during the 2021 April virtual graduation ceremony. When asked what kept her going, she said, “I told myself that I would study hard and obtain my degree; no matter what came my way, I wouldn’t give up. I would be tired and unable to study, but I told my mind that I had to do what I had to do to advance.”

Moqomo first encountered financial exclusion when her application for NSFAS funding was not approved in 2016. She did not have the R6 830 that was required for registration, and therefore had to pause her studies indefinitely. She decided to look for a job to pay her fees, and in June of that year she was employed as a temporary cashier at the Engen filling station at Northridge Mall in Noordhoek. “I was embarrassed and ashamed when I lost my NSFAS funding but giving up was not one of the things on my mind. When I started working, I made it very clear that I didn’t want to be a permanent employee; I simply wanted to work enough to have money to pay my fees.”

Juggling work and school paid off 

She saved enough to be able to register again in January 2017, but she had to change degree programmes along the way. “After writing my November exams, I would go back to Engen so that I could save money for the following year’s registration. I would fail my modules but still try again,” she said.

NSFAS continued to pay for the rest of her fees, but in 2020, during her final year, she was told that she had exceeded the number of years she could receive funding. “I began working full time because I knew I might not get NSFAS funding even after appealing, so I would work night shifts from Friday to Sunday, then take a bath at work and go to class on Monday mornings. Through all of this, I told myself that I would pass, and I would pass well.”

Fortunately, after relating her whole story to NSFAS during her appeal, she received funding for her final year – which came on time too, as she had to be laid off work temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She went back to work again in November 2020 and saved enough money to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which she is currently pursuing. She is also currently completing her teaching practical at Ikaelelo Senior Secondary School, where she matriculated in 2013. “I knew I wanted to continue with my studies, so I worked hard.”

“Giving up is not an option; some things do not come easily – not even a degree. For some it might be easy, but for others there will be hurdles that they will have to overcome, but you have to keep going.”

News Archive

UFS hockey teams crowned as Free State hockey champions
2009-09-21

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) men’s and women’s hockey teams were recently crowned as the Free State hockey champions during the championship that took place on the university's astro fields in Bloemfontein.

Kovsie women defeated Raiders (the defending champions) 6-0 and the Kovsie men’s hockey team successfully defended their title against Tweespruit. During a penalty shootout UFS Reds beat the team of the Central University of Technology (CUT 1) 8-7, thereby ending in the third position.

Very early on the Kovsie women’s hockey team showed that they wanted to break the five-year drought without a trophy and within the first ten minutes they took the lead with 2-0 against Raiders. Liza Dreyer scored her first two goals out of four and from that moment on the Raiders were with their backs against the wall. With the score of 4-0 at halftime it was clear that Kovsies would have a second trophy in their cupboard after their recent success during the USSA championships. After halftime, Odie Swart scored another goal from a penalty corner and Liza scored her fourth goal, to bring the end score to 6-0. Malisa Kala was the other Kovsie who scored a goal.

Odie Swart, captain of the Kovsies played her last match for the Kovsies with Cat van Zuydam. She excelled in the attack as well as in the defence.

The Kovsies men’s hockey team has now done it three out of three times! Within the first twenty minutes the Kovsies men’s hockey team defeated Tweespruit with brilliant hockey by scoring three goals. Luke Sanan (2) and Kurt Henzberg (1) scored the goals. All three the goals were well-executed field goals. The current Kovsie team is surely the best-rounded hockey team that the Free State has had over the last ten years. In the past three years the students played in more than 45 club matches and they did not lose one match!

With the joy also comes sadness. For Braam van Wyk it was his last match as coach of a Kovsie team. For the past 17 years Braam has been involved with Kovsie hockey, in which he led the girls to twelve victories in the Free State league. The last three years he managed the men’s team, who won the league for the past three consecutive years, indeed an achievement. With Braam, three other senior players of the past three years made their last appearance for Kovsies. They are Morne Odendaal, Renaldo Ogle and Braam van Wyk (jr.).

Literally during the last moments of their game against CUT 1, the UFS Reds, who were 1-4 behind, scored a goal, which brought the final score to 4-4. The Kovsie students won the penalty shootout with 4-3, thereby winning 8-7 and thus ending third in this year’s men’s Free State league. 
 

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