Growing up in Postmasburg, Erica Manhice never imagined that one day she would be building her career at one of South Africa’s leading law firms. Today, at just 25 years old, she is a Candidate Attorney at ENS Africa in Johannesburg, working towards qualifying as an attorney. Her story is one of determination, hard work and the support of the Rural Education Access Programme (REAP), which helped her navigate the transition from a small-town learner to a university graduate and young legal professional.
Through the Rural Education Access Programme (REAP), one of Lesedi Solar Park Trust’s key education partners, Erica received more than financial assistance. She gained mentorship, guidance and a support network that helped her navigate the transition to university and ultimately turn her dream into reality. Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when talented young people are given access to the right opportunities.
Erica was born in Katlehong and is the third of six siblings. When she was in Grade 3, her family relocated to Postmasburg after her father was transferred to the Northern Cape. She completed both her primary and high school education there before pursuing her dream of studying law.
“My parents worked incredibly hard to give us opportunities,” she says. “Watching them taught me that if you want something, you have to be prepared to work for it.”
Like many young people growing up in Postmasburg, a mining town, Erica’s career ambitions changed as she learnt more about the world around her. She initially dreamed of becoming a doctor before considering engineering because it was one of the professions most visible in a mining community. Everything changed when an Afrikaans teacher encouraged her to participate in debating, speeches and oral history competitions. Preparing legal arguments and presenting them before magistrates and judges introduced her to a profession she had never considered.
“That was when I realised this is actually what I enjoy,” she recalls. “I knew I wanted to study law.”
After matric, Erica enrolled for an LLB at the University of the Free State. While receiving acceptance into university was an achievement in itself, she soon realised that succeeding there required much more than academic ability. Coming from a small town, she had limited exposure to university application processes, campus life and the many opportunities available beyond the classroom.
“There is so much more to university than just studying,” she explains. “You have to understand how everything works, where to go, who to ask for help and how to make the most of the opportunities around you.”
Like many learners from rural and remote communities, Erica says she simply didn’t know what she needed to know. Navigating applications, financial aid, university systems and student life was unfamiliar territory. It was during this transition that she became part of the Rural Education Access Programme (REAP), which supports academically deserving learners from beneficiary communities to access higher education and successfully complete their studies.
While financial assistance helped make university possible, Erica says REAP’s greatest impact extended far beyond funding.
“REAP gave me emotional and mental support. They helped me bridge the gap between high school and university. They taught me how to navigate university life, set goals, ask for help and believe that I belonged there.”
Through regular mentoring sessions, academic guidance and personal development workshops, Erica gradually found the confidence to thrive both academically and personally. She was paired with a peer mentor who helped her navigate university life and, inspired by the support she received, later became a mentor herself to help students following the same path.
“I always knew there was someone I could call if I needed help,” she says. “Whether I was feeling overwhelmed or needed academic support, REAP was there.”
One mentor, in particular, left a lasting impression.
“My mentor Karabo, believed in me, even when I doubted myself. Seeing someone who had already walked the same path made me realise that I could do it too.”
Her university years were also shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced students across the country to adapt to a completely different way of learning. Despite the uncertainty, Erica remained focused on her studies, leaning on the support systems around her while continuing to build towards her goal. Along the way, she also discovered that law was about is much more than courtrooms and legislation.
“The law is in everything we do,” she says. “Once I started studying, I realised how connected it is to everyday life.”
While Erica was thriving academically, she realised her greatest challenge was changing the way she saw herself.
“I had to stop thinking of myself as just a girl from a small town,” she says. “I realised that where you come from doesn’t have to determine where you’re going.”
That change in mindset became a turning point. As her confidence grew, so did her academic performance, culminating in her graduating cum laude and receiving several awards recognising her achievements.
“Those moments made me realise that I actually belong here,” she reflects. “It showed me that I was capable.”
Today, Erica is completing her articles at ENS Africa, while preparing for her board examinations and practical legal training as she works towards becoming an admitted attorney. For her, reaching this point represents far more than personal success.
“I’m the first in my family to graduate. I’m the first to secure a professional opportunity like this,” she says. “It means the doors have opened not only for me, but for my younger siblings as well. It shows that it’s possible.”
Looking back, Erica believes there was never a shortcut to success.
“There were times when my friends asked why I spent so much time in the library,” she says with a smile. “Looking back now, it was worth it. Hard work really does pay off.”
Her journey reflects the impact that programmes like REAP continue to have in communities across South Africa. Every year, talented young people leave school with the potential to succeed but without the resources, exposure or support needed to navigate higher education. Through its partnership with REAP, Lesedi Solar Park Trust is helping to bridge that gap by investing in young people not only through financial support, but also through mentorship, leadership development and the practical guidance needed to thrive at university and beyond.
Today, Erica hopes her story encourages other young people from communities like Postmasburg to believe in themselves and embrace every opportunity that comes their way.
Her advice is simple: “Work hard. Balance your life but work hard. If you know your circumstances and you know what you’re working towards, don’t give up. Your effort today can open doors you never imagined.”
From the classrooms of Postmasburg to the offices of one of South Africa’s leading law firms, Erica’s journey is proof that talent exists in every community. When determination is matched with opportunity, mentorship and the right support, dreams become careers, barriers become stepping stones, and success reaches far beyond one individual—it inspires families, strengthens communities and creates hope for the next generation.