Disabled student is top of his class

A disabled communications student was among the 10 best performing students honoured at NWU’s Mafikeng Campus last week.

Pono Lekone, 24, scored five distinctions in the 14 modules for which he registered last year. He was awarded a certificate of academic excellence, a laptop and the rector’s special award.

Lekone was born with a disability affecting his legs and hands but said he had forgotten the term describing his condition. The aspiring radio presenter will major in communication and his mother tongue, SeTswana.

He hails from the dusty village of Borakalalo near Zeerust and has a clear-cut vision. “I’m chasing my dream of becoming a top radio presenter and I want to present my own show one day.

“Nothing is going to hold me back to achieve my ultimate goal because I believe the sky is the limit. My belief is that I have what it takes to enter broadcasting industry with a bang and perform wonders,” he said.

According to Lekone the major challenge he is faced with, is his slow typing speed. He is therefore making a point of practising and improving his time. “I’m grateful though to my lecturers and fellow students who help me copy with university life,” he said.

He said his mother Kenaope Lekone was his source of inspiration and strength and thanked her for bringing him up. “My mother has been there for me. She did not abandon me because I’m living with a disability and I won’t let her down.”

Campus rector, Prof Dan Kgwadi, praised Lekone for rising above his condition to excel in his studies. He said such performance encouraged other disabled students. “Disability is not a limitation; it serves as motivation to achieve your goal. We have a total of 40 disabled students on campus and work very closely with Disability South Africa to make their stay comfortable,” he added.