I struggle to understand why God saw me fit for the scores on my statement. The feelings cannot be deciphered for with an abrupt ambivalence I felt compelled to confess my envy at their sight. The journey has been, and still is, a highly volatile one albeit I assert that God’s work remains a universal mystery.
This insidious, unexpected outbreak commenced as a soon-to-pass disease of the affluent, little did I know that my underprivileged township would soon catch up with the trend. In disbelief, subsequent to school closures I suffered an internal battle. At the time, my progression rate plummeted massively, with no one to turn to, a series of tears dropped, temptation and self-imposed negative talk that it almost culminated in an emotional breakdown.
Being locked up at home, a whole quarter, left me high and dry. Retaining concentration meant studying at midnight (Golden hours) as the afternoon saw little hope: disturbingly loud music coupled with children screaming in excitement for not attending classes. The initial matric grit gradually lost pace.
As a lad who values strong social relationships, channels for such were shut. My awful-looking statement was becoming a sad reality, but God REMEMBERED. A prestigious foundation called Siyandisa surfaced, became an oasis in my life’s desert of lost hope. My lost drive, on account of the covid-19 rife, rekindled itself. The timing? Perfect as though planned. I worked harder, honing my skills so much that most of my exams found no place to daunt me.
My purpose grew larger and I got introduced to A students whose relationships with me were nothing short of a privilege. My family, as supportive in all aspects, saw none of my tears because I did not want to compound on an already existing dire situation. Today, I see no mistakes in undergoing all that traumatic experience for it forcefully acquainted me to myself. All of which, in my view, is a blessing I have no words to appreciate.
I have become yet another, “proud example of what the dusty streets of Diepsloot can produce”- Itumeleng Lebese.
I am Lungelo Sibanda, an 18 year old lad intending to pursue B.Com in Accounting at UCT in 2021. I dream of becoming an inspiration to youngsters, a CA (SA), a future Billionaire and a philanthropist to those in need.
Being cognizant of contemporary social ills, I also dream of advocating for a cause to redress them and doing so will require group efforts and acting in concert and I am hopeful that I will meet people who will support me as Siyandisa has.
The class of 2021 is fortunate enough to know the behaviours of covid-19 so as to protect themselves from it. The single most important thing you ought to do is invest time to knowing yourself. We are products of our internal dialogue, external circumstances are a reflection of those. A strong belief and assertion to reaching your aspirations in conjunction with self-discipline, consistent hard work and a sleight of hand will keep u afloat for as long as u stick by them.
The best of Luck to you Matriculants. I believe you will surmount covid-19 handicaps way better than we could. You are more than capable.