​Thembisa Shologu
Support, love, and the determination to succeed have driven Luyanda Thabethe's journey through life's challenges.
The 18-year-old and her twin sister, Ayanda, lost their mother at the age of six, and although their father is alive, he has never been present in their lives, leaving them to be raised by their grandmother and aunts.
Despite the loss of a mother, Luyanda is grateful for the unwavering support system she has received, particularly from her grandmother.
Luyanda is one of 120 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Child Support Grant (CSG) beneficiaries who passed their matric in 2024 and are now heading to university and other institutions of higher learning.
On Thursday, Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko celebrated them at a special event held at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni. 
The event celebrated beneficiaries of social grant, and children in the foster care programme and those in government-run and funded child and youth care centres across the province.
"I was doing my Grade 12 at Tetelo Secondary School, where I got a Bachelor Pass with two distinctions. I aspire to do a BSc in Life Sciences, majoring in Biomedical Science at Unisa." 
Luyanda encouraged other children who have lost their parents to remain hopeful and work hard to change their circumstances.
Speaking at the event, MEC Mazibuko commended the foster parents for raising the children with love. 
"Without you, these young people would not be who they are today. I know they can sometimes get out of hand. 
"They do not want to be reprimanded, sometimes it gets challenging, and sometimes even social workers do not come on board to assist, so you have to see how to deal with situations all by yourselves," said Mazibuko. 
She urged them to continue mentoring and caring for them even at a young age.
The MEC is pleased with foster parents to continue mentoring and support the children, even as they transition into adulthood.
"I urge you, parents, please do not just leave them. Continue mentoring them and continue taking care of them. The majority of you are above 18; you are now adults who must take care of themselves and make a difference."
She also encouraged young people to be responsible and not become a burden to their caregivers.
"If you feel life is difficult, go back to your foster parent again and say as much as you raised me and I finished Grade 12, please continue to take care of me," said the MEC.
Mazibuko encouraged those who did not apply to tertiary institutions to seek assistance.
"Just because you are done with your matric doesn't mean the government or the foster parent no longer cares. Our programmes continue," said MEC Mazibuko 
As they became independent, the MEC urged them not to start going out to drink alcohol, smoke hubbly bubbly or dagga, nyaope and sleeping under the bridges.
Foster parent, Luleka Msimango from Kagiso shared her experiences raising biological and foster children. 
Msimango, who is raising four children-one biological and three foster children (two boys and a girl)-said fostering requires deep love and commitment.
"Fostering is not easy; you first need to love the child and have a love for children because there are hiccups like not having food; you ask yourself, what are they going to it? 
"We have taught them respect, to know right from wrong, to fear God and to not think about where they come from but that the important thing is where they are going," Msimango added. 
With the backing of dedicated caregivers, community support and government initiatives are making a positive impact in the lives of poor and vulnerable children, yielding a positive impact in breaking intergenerational poverty.