Ali Tshabalala, aged 13 was announced the winner of Secunda Mall school fees competition.
The draw was held on Thursday, 7 February and the winner received his prize on Sunday, 10 February.
Govan Mbeki Municipality residents were given the opportunity to nominate one child and tell why their nominee deserves to have his or her school fees paid for the entire 2019.
The lucky student will be sponsored his / her entire tuition for 2019.
A teacher from Marietjie Special School nominated Ali Tshabalala after they realized he struggled to pay his school fees.
According to Ali’s mother, Ms Celiwe Mashewula they could not afford his school fees and ended up not paying.
The unemployed mother of seven children said it is a great relief to know that Ali school fees will be taken care of.
Ali’s father was said to have passed on when he was only four years old.
Ms Mashewula and her children were originally from Bethal, but moved to eMbalenhle for Ali to be near the school.
They currently live in a shack at Marikana, eMbalenhle.
When asked why Ali is not attending at a school for the deaf, Ms Mashewula said she inquired at the Dominican School for the Deaf in Pretoria, but the school was very expensive for her.
She became emotional when expressing her desire to see Ali getting the best education.
“I would love to see him become independent and work for himself one day,” said the mother.
Ali has a bubbly personality.