Bongumusa Manana is the first Deaf matric learner since 1988 to scoop a Bachelor pass at Sizwile School for the Deaf. Picture Supplied.
Meet Bongumusa Manana, the first matriculant to obtain a Bachelor pass at Sizwile School for the Deaf in Dobsonville, Soweto.
Sizwile School for the Deaf obtained 100% passes for the 2023 matric exams. Of the ten pupils who wrote their 2023 matric exams, Manana (19) is the only one who obtained a Bachelor pass.
The school Principal, Mr Madilonga Luvhimbi said according to his knowledge and research, Manana broke the school’s history records by being the first matriculant to obtain a Bachelor pass since the inception of the school in March 1988.
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Manana has since become a beacon of hope for many at Sizwile School for the Deaf. He will now be the school ambassador and he will be called in to motivate current pupils. Manana lost his hearing at the age of nine. He can lip-read and utter a few words.
Elated Manana told the Diary Series of Deaf People that he wants to be a teacher after completion of his studies. He would then impart his teaching skills and knowledge to pupils at Sizwile School for the Deaf.
Speaking about his matric achievement, Manana said:
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Manana who only expected a Diploma pass chuckled and said, “But I know I am very clever” hence he obtained a Bachelor pass.
He credited God for his achievement, saying:
He wants to study teaching at the University of Limpopo because “I have researched about the school and found out that they have good Sign Language Interpreters.”
Explaining how he lost his hearing, Manana said, “In 2012 I fainted, and they took me to hospital, and I woke up Deaf.”
