It’s that time of the year again: our fourth Matric class at Bulungula College celebrated the annual “Tying the Knot” ceremony. This ceremony, where learners receive their Matric necktie by their loved ones, is more than just a rite of passage into their final year of high school; it is a significant public acknowledgment of an achievement that only few from our community have ever reached. For most of our learners, they will be the first in their families to graduate high school.

This year was particularly special, with a record number of learners whose parents work at Bulungula Incubator and Bulungula Lodge, and six learners who started their educational journey at the Jujurha ECD Centre. Seeing our children grow up through our projects is a source of great joy and pride for us, underscoring the success of our Preconception to Career programme.

We believe that educated and well-cared for children will carry families out of poverty and contribute to a thriving South Africa in the future.

Siphesihle Ndukumbini with her mother, Betty Ndukumbini (BC Admin Manager)
Zolile Dyubhele with his mother, Veliswa Dyubhele (BI Nomakhaya) and father, Lindile Mthiyo (BI Admin and Finance Manager)
Ntsika Dodwana with his grandfather, Timoti Dodwana; his mother, Khululwa Dodwana, is manager at Masilime Ngqo, our vegetable seedling nursery.
Sinelihle Zintoyinto with her mother, Nosihle Zintoyinto (Teacher at Jujurha ECD Centre)
Malakhiwe Boniswa with her mother, Boniswa Madiloyi (BI Community Health Worker)
Siwaphiwe Makhwenkwe with her father, Siphiwo Jakatyana (BI Maintenance). Not pictured: Her mother works at Masilime Ngqo and her grandmother is a cleaner at BI, read their story here.
Lindokuhle Nozikakane (right) with his mother, Ncumisa Nozikakane (Masiphathisane ECDC)
Ayafika Bonakele with mother, Nongawenze Bonakele (cleaner at Bulungula Lodge)
Elethu Ngqele receiving her Matric necktie from her aunt, Zoliswa Sakabhe (BI Community Health Worker)

See all the event photos here.