NEARLY 100 entries from the Eastern and Southern Cape’s most promising matriculants have been received for this year’s Weekend Post Matric of the Year competition.

The competition, which is in its 16th year, has changed many lives over the years, and the 92 2009 hopefuls also stand the chance to win excellent prizes.

For Balisa Ntloko, winner of the 2008 Weekend Post Matric of the Year scholarship category, winning was a life- changing experience as she and her family had battled crippling poverty and opportunities were few.

Ntloko, who matriculated from Loyiso Senior Secondary School in Zwide, is now studying towards a BA degree in media, communication and culture at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

“My dream is to be a journalist,” said Ntloko. “I love writing and it was always my strong point at school.

“My plans changed after I heard I’d won. I was thrilled as this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Ntloko, who grew up in a cramped shack in Soweto- on-Sea where she still has to share a bed with her sister, now lives on the NMMU campus.

However, she enjoys going home for visits and holidays.

“We are team players at home, and my family is glad that I won (the scholarship). They know that someday they will also benefit when I work. They have that hope.”

Ntloko’s dad, Mbongeni, recently lost his job and whatever money comes in is used at home.

“I don’t want to ask my parents for money, so I have taken a loan to cover some of my books, meals and residence costs.”

When she is not studying, Ntloko occasionally works as an intern at Weekend Post. She is also a translator for a mediation and arbitration company, which helps her to cover expenses.

Even with her busy schedule she makes time to do community work on a voluntary basis.

She tutors Walmer High School pupils in news writing and reporting skills. “I implement what I have learnt at varsity and teach aspiring journalists. I also contribute to a magazine run by an NGO and I recently joined a tutoring programme where I will teach English and life sciences.”

She is not the only winner who is excelling. Last year’s overall winner, Gerrit Maritz, a former Daniel Pienaar Technical High pupil, forfeited his NMMU bursary prize and opted to do a BEng in Electronic Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch.

Maritz said winning the competition had provided him with a “great deal of experience and opportunities for which I am deeply grateful”.

This year’s overall winner will receive a Proline Essential Notebook (M760s), from Proline Computers; a two-night stay at the luxurious Kariega main lodge for a family of four, from Kariega Game Reserve; a graduation banquet and gourmet five- course meal for the winner and 25 guests, from Villa Tuscana and Fat Cats Catering; an annual membership from Profiles Fitness Club; and a handset from Vodacom.

Entries closed this week and next Saturday, August 29, the judges will name the 20 finalists and choose winners in the categories of academic, sport, cultural and community.

A Matric of the Year careers and education supplement will be published on September 12, and the final awards banquet, at which the category and overall winners will be announced, will be held at The Boardwalk on September 14.