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Langa started at Waterford in September 2012.
Langa Bakhuluma-Ncube
Langa is in Grade 12. She is originally from Zimbabwe but had not been back, until recently, for 8 years, having lived in Kenya and then South Africa. Her father died when she was 2 and her mother died of cancer when she was 13. Her mother suggested she apply for Waterford and she worked hard to supply the top-up for her 50% bursary before her untimely death. Langa will apply to liberal arts colleges as she has not decided on her future career. She would also like to apply to the UK as she has an uncle there, who is trying to adopt her younger brother, who is still in Zimbabwe. Langa performed in the UWC celebrations, providing commentary. Langa has a poise and maturity beyond her years and will no doubt continue to do well in her tertiary studies.
Here is the latest from Langa. June 2014
21 June 2014
I would like to thank you and the UWCSEA community for your generous support that allowed me to attend Waterford Kamhlaba and successfully complete my IB diploma in November 2013 with 32 points overall. Because of Waterford, I was afforded the opportunity to apply to a range of top universities. I will be attending Skidmore College this fall. I am excited about this new part of my life and all that university has to offer. I am unsure about what I will declare my major in, but I am interested in a few areas of study: Psychology, Political Science and Public Health. I intend on taking up a number of activities at Skidmore. This includes sports such as volleyball. I would also like to be a part of a community service program, continuing a humbling practice that Waterford implemented. I am open to the various challenges that college will present and I grateful to Waterford for giving me that opportunity. I have learnt how to appreciate various cultures and peoples differences because of Waterford’s rich diversity and I hope to bring those values to my new college environment. I was a boarding student at Waterford and learnt how to become independent a young age therefore, I feel that I am prepared for the transition from high school to university. I have learnt to be confident, tenacious and persevering, through all of the opportunities that arose such as leadership roles and group work. Waterford has been my home for the past six years and through the instrumental guidance I received there, it has shaped me into the person I am today.
I had the opportunity to take part in an exchange program in the UK with Marlborough College. Waterford and Marlborough College have an exchange gap year opportunity for two students, and I was fortunate enough to be one student this year. It was a wonderful experience. It is a different school to Waterford but it didn't take long to adjust. I was going to the IB1 classes and took a range of different classes from Politics to Mandarin. I undertook a creative project during my stay working in the art department to produce a series of photo-grams and a few etching prints. Similar to Waterford’s community service program, Marlborough College has an outreach program. It involved hosting the local pre-school children for an afternoon of various activities. I visited some English heritage sights, Oxford- the city and school - and London, which we were great highlights of the trip. I was introduced to various aspects of British culture such as clay pigeon shooting, lots of Earl Grey tea and of course Sunday Roast. The Marlborough gap experience challenged me. I had to put myself out there in order to make new friends. It forced me to embrace the idea of out trying different things such as learning Mandarin. I left with friendships that I hope to maintain over the years to come. I was fully immersed in the college’s traditions and it proved to be a learning experience in preparation for the transition to university and moving to completely new continent.
I would like to thank you again for the wonderful opportunity you granted me, and I can only hope that you will continue your generous support to many more students. I gained more than an education from Waterford, a lifetime experiences that have paved the way for the many great things to come.
Kindest,
Langa Bakhuluma-Ncube
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