Page 100 - SCAT Rural Voice II - 35 Stories for 35 Years

YOUTH
I ALMOST LOST HOPE UNTIL
I FOUND ZANONCEDO
Vuyo Msizi hands over a computer donated Zanoncedo Empowerment Centre. Administrator Khanya Ngenge sorting pieces of craft. by SCAT to Mandisa Dukashe, the director
of Zanoncedo Empowerment Centre.
windisA JiMAnA
WINDISA jIMANA COULD NOT FIND WORK AND ALMOST LOST HOPE UNTIL SHE RECONNECTED WITH A HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND ON FACEBOOK. THIS FRIEND WAS THE DIRECTOR OF zANONCEDO EMPOWERMENT CENTRE, MANDISE DUKASHE, WHO INSPIRED WINDISA TO MAKE USE OF HER SKILLS AND PASSION IN SERVICE OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
I am a 44-year-old single mother of three. I was born and raised in Ciqala Village, Chalumna. Growing up was not easy. My mother was a single parent and had to leave us every week since she was working in East London town. For five years, I had to walk to Tshlomnqa High School, which was more than 5km away from home. I passed my matric in 1995 but I never had a chance to continue my studies since there was no money. I had always wanted to become a nurse but as I grew up that changed. I always looked up to my Standard 2 (Grade 4) teacher, Ms Ntoni, and my cousin Sis Phumla. They both played a very important role in making me become the person I am today. Ms Ntoni formed social groups in school, where she introduced extra mural activities such as dance (both modern dance and African dance), drama, music, modelling, and sports. After school and on the weekend, Sis Phumla would take over from Ms Ntoni teaching and showing us more about dance and other things she thought would help us as young people. I was inspired by these two, now older ladies, who love beautiful things in life. I always reflect back on their teaching whenever there is something good or bad that is happening around me. They have free spirits and a willingness to grow young minds. After matric, even when life became difficult for me, I continued to do the extra mural activities I had learnt as a child with Ms Ntoni and Sis Phumla despite there being no sponsors.
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RuRal Voice ii: 35 stories for 35 years