Helping Kharah study after losing both her parents
Willard Batteries sponsored Kharah's 2025 NWU Law studies after she lost both her parents to heart disease.
Kharah Pretorius wrote her matric exams last year after experiencing two devastating losses. She had to grow up far too soon.
She lost her mother in 2019 due to a heart attack at home, and in 2021, her father passed away from the same cause. After her father’s passing, Pretorius stayed with friends, but unfortunately, the arrangement placed too much strain on the family and did not work out.
In 2022, she had to leave behind everything and everyone she knew and move in with her aunt and uncle in Kriel, a small town in Mpumalanga.
Determined to complete her schooling despite her circumstances, Pretorius paid all her school fees herself.
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Last year, she met her boyfriend’s parents and became part of their family. Pretorius is enrolled to study Law at North-West University in Potchefstroom, and she had pinned her hopes on a bursary, which she didn't receive.
While her new family helped her secure a flat near the campus, they are unable to assist with her tuition fees as they also need to support their own son’s studies.
That's why her boyfriend's mother, Anzé Liebenberg, reached out to Good Morning Angels for assistance in helping this determined young woman achieve her dream of furthering her education.
REQUEST FOR: Kharah Pretorius from Kriel, Mpumalanga
REQUEST FROM: Anzé Liebenberg
ANGEL: Corné Strydom, representing Willard Batteries
SPONSORSHIP: The Willard Bursary Fund will sponsor Kharah's 2025 NWU Law studies with a bursary of R56,000.
Original request:
Good Morning Angels,
I am writing to you today to nominate Kharah Pretorius for a study bursary.
A little background on Kharah…
Kharah is a remarkable young woman who had to grow up far too soon. She lost her mother in 2019 due to a heart attack at home, and in 2021, her father passed away from the same cause. After her father’s passing, Kharah stayed with friends, but unfortunately, the arrangement placed too much pressure on the family, and she had to move.
In 2022, she left behind everything and everyone she knew and moved to Kriel to live with her aunt and uncle. Determined to complete her schooling despite her circumstances, Kharah paid all her school fees herself.
In 2024, my son brought home this beautiful girl, and she immediately stole our hearts. Suddenly, our family of four became five. We found ourselves attending extra prize-giving ceremonies and were honoured to be invited to her matric farewell. Despite all the hardships she has faced, Kharah has excelled academically and remains more determined than ever to succeed.
With numerous academic achievements, Top 10 awards, and Honours for Academics, Kharah completed Grade 12 with exceptional marks and two distinctions. She is now living with us in Kriel, and we feel incredibly blessed to have her in our lives. She is part of our family, and we want to do everything possible to support her in achieving her dreams.
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Kharah was accepted to NWU to study Law. Unfortunately, she did not receive the bursary she had been hoping for, meaning she now has to cover the outstanding tuition fees herself. Sadly, we are unable to assist, as our own son is also starting university, and we have another child currently in Grade 9. Financially, it is simply not possible for us to help her.
Kharah is not someone who gives up when faced with adversity – she works incredibly hard and gives over 100% in everything she does. She has often been told that children in her situation rarely see their dreams come true, but she is determined to prove everyone wrong. She believes that with perseverance, hard work, and the right support, dreams can become reality.
We have already secured her accommodation in Potchefstroom, just 1km from the university, as she does not have a car. She will be moving in at the end of the month. While we were able to assist with her living arrangements, tuition fees remain the biggest challenge.
I have attached all the necessary documentation to this email and truly hope you will consider helping Kharah make her dream of studying Law a reality.
She has an incredible story to tell and would be a huge inspiration to others in similar circumstances.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Best regards,
Anzé Liebenberg
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