Africans rising

SA graduate writes book to pay for university transcript

A South African graduate has a written a book as a fundraising method to pay for her university transcript because her family could not afford to

Published

9 years ago

August 6, 2015

This Is Africa

Not content to accept her financial situation as a hindrance from getting her transcript from the University of the Witwatersrand, 25 year-old Thobeka Sinxo decided to take matters into her own hands. She wrote a book to sell and raise funds for the costs involved with getting her academic record.

According to Independent News, Sinxo, a BA Honours graduate, was unable to attend her graduation ceremony as she had to return home to Port Elizabeth after completing her studies as she could not afford to be in Johannesburg, where the institution is. She reportedly studied through a partial scholarship last year that covered only some of her tuition but not her accommodation.

“The university told me I need to send someone I trust to pick up the transcript, but I don’t know anyone because I’m not from Joburg. To courier it will cost about R250 ($25), but I can’t afford that. Right now I’m blocked from doing anything,” she told a reporter.

Her book, Ezintakeni: A literary rite of passage, has eight short stories, and 13 poems from journals that document her life in the community where she was raised. It costs R87 ($7).

https://twitter.com/ThobekaSinxo/status/629051399658176512

https://twitter.com/ThobekaSinxo/status/629053074573819906

Sinxo said she needs her transcript to apply for a Masters degree before applications deadline next month.

Hers is a story of resilience and ingenuity. With all the social media attention she has received, to day, she’s surely on her way to becoming a Masters graduate and a well-known author.