Tlaka acknowledged for her achievement
SIBUSISO NDLOVU
In this day and age, being
equipped with education along
with leadership skills is essential
for survival in this modern
world. Many people over the
years have lost out because
of not fully understanding the
need for education.
From her days as a young
girl, Marcia Monica Tlaka’s
interest in education was
clear as she won an award for
regional debate while doing
Grade 11 in her secondary
school. After completing her
grade 12, a firm assistance
was set for her by the community
to further her studies in
teaching.
Marcia was born on 09 October
1990. She was raised in
the rural parts of South Africa,
in a small township called
Moonsterlus, in the heart of
Limpopo the northern part of
the country.
However, growing up was
not easy for her in a family
of five. While there was not
enough money for the family
to sustain them, she was raised
by a single mother who is a
widow, her father passed away
when she was still very young
and her mother has been unemployed
for a long time.“I wish my father was
here to see my achievements.
I miss him, it’s hard to be
raised by a single parent,” said
Tlaka.
Achievements
Tlaka continues to reap
awards and accolades from
the University for her Leadership
Skills and educational
achievements
. On her first year
she passed all her subjects
with distinctions, she won an
award for the best first year
student.
This year she was also
awarded the best third year
student of the year and the
best 2012 overall residence
student. When asked what
encourages her to achieve,
Tlaka said, “I always stood by
my principles, even at great
personal cost”.
As part of her academic
achievements she received
numerous certificates. In 2010
she was awarded a certificate
in wine service and later the
same year she was also award
ed
a certificate in First Aid and
another for her contribution in
teaching pupils maths in her
community.
Leadership
Irrespective of her family
background, Tlaka continued
to triumph above her challenges
and constantly show
her leadership skills.
Tlaka is currently a deputy
secretary of house committee
at the Education Department
of Maths Science and
Technology for 2012-2013
in the Tshwane University of
Technology (TUT). Working
hard helped her achieve what
she has today. “I’m a life long
time learner with a hungry
brain, and I consider education
as an integral aspect of
my life,” she said.
Mahatma Ghandi said “Be
the change you want to see
in the world,” and Tlaka is
definitely a change not only
to her peers but to her entire
community.
