From Uncertainty to University: Masixole and Siliphiwe’s Journey

Every year, thousands of South African learners, especially those from rural communities, face the challenge of finishing high school while navigating academics, finances, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead, all while travelling long distances to school with limited resources and fewer opportunities. For Masixole and Siliphiwe from the Class of 2025, both raised in rural communities, the road to the finish line was far from easy. What makes their stories remarkable is how they faced these classic rural struggles with huge perseverance and grit, and how support from their schools, in collaboration with Axium's Ekukhuleni and Pathways programs, enabled happy endings to their schooling stories.

Masixole, Class of 2025

Masixole remembers days when the weight of school felt almost unbearable. “Esikolweni akumnandanga… especially xa ubona ngathi izinto ezininzi uyasilela… uzive ngathi give up.” In those moments, he held onto a simple truth: perseverance comes first. “Into yokuqala kukunyamezela.” He learned that staying focused meant taking control of his time, creating a timetable to manage every subject and keeping himself on track.

Siliphiwe, Class of 2025

Siliphiwe’s journey was shaped by connection and collective effort. For her, learning was never meant to be a solo race. “Ukuba kukho into ongayaziyo, umntu oyaziyo makakuncede.” Through Ekukhuleni’s Saturday classes, tutoring sessions, and study groups, she found a space to collaborate, revise, and grow beyond the limitations of the classroom. Subjects like Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and English, which once felt overwhelming, became manageable through structured revision and consistent practice, while Masixole credits these sessions with improving his relationship with mathematics. Siliphiwe shares, “Besisebenzisa past exam papers uku-practisa… sasihlala siphambili nge-exams compared to kwezinye izikolo.” Even English literature became accessible. “Yandinceda kakhulu kwi-English, ngakumbi incwadi ethi My Children! My Africa!”

The impact of these programs extended far beyond academics. In communities where schools are often under-resourced and learners travel long distances, consistency and presence matter. Masixole recalls his school mentors arriving as early as 6 AM to motivate them, especially when energy was low and the week felt heavy. “Bebefika ngo-6 ekuseni besi-motivate… xa sibona ngathi amandla ayaphela.” Just as importantly, the Ekukhuleni and Pathways facilitators also listened. They created safe spaces where learners could speak openly about personal challenges and receive guidance when life felt overwhelming. “Xa umntu enenkinga e-personal, abethetha noo-sisi bePathways… bakucebise ukuba wenze njani.” With their support, university applications were completed, documents submitted, and registrations finalised. 

Masixole received multiple offers, including from the University of Johannesburg, and chose to study a Bachelors in Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Fort Hare’s East London campus, with NSFAS funding secured. He achieved 96% in Business Studies! Siliphiwe applied for a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Analytical Chemistry and a Bachelor of Medicine, and is now awaiting her final placement.

Despite these achievements, both learners speak honestly about the fear of leaving home and stepping into unfamiliar spaces far removed from the rural communities that shaped them. Masixole admits, “Ndiyoyika kakhulu but ke ndiyaziqinisa nje ukuba ndizoqala ukufunda nokuhlala kwenye indawo.” Siliphiwe reflects on learning to communicate with new people and adapt to new environments, skills developed through Axium’s supportive community. 

Their stories are not about miracles. They are about showing up, being supported, and believing that growth is possible, even when opportunities feel distant. To the Class of 2026 learners, their advice is practical: 'create your own timetable, join study groups, welcome organisations that care about you and your education, and above all, practise perseverance — ukunyamezela'. Masixole and Siliphiwe remind us that hope is not a fleeting feeling, but a pathway built through consistency, care, and belief. 

This is the story of the Class of 2025, of Axium, of our PSP partner school — Dudumayo Secondary School, and of what becomes possible when rural learners are never left to walk alone.