These university students say the gang-ridden areas they grew up in inspired them to break the generational curse by being the first graduates in their families.
The University of Western Cape’s Muchelene Peplouw, 21, of Manenberg this week graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Geography, Linguistics and Psychology.
Nurdeen Joshua, 22, who earned a Bachelor of Arts Humanities, says he didn’t see the situation of his community, Lavender Hill, as an obstacle in his studies.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t difficult being in my community, but I was always focused on what I have to do, because having a single mother since the age of three or four, I knew I had to make it,” he says.
“It was just a matter of time as to when it would happen, but I’m glad it happened in accordance with my plans and what God has planned for me.
“I know that not many people can do what I did, but I honestly believe that anyone can achieve success, even in my community because it is filled with talent all over.”
Nurdeen says his family mostly survived on his late ouma’s social grant because his mom is unemployed.
“My mom briefly received a disability grant for about 11 months due to her shoulder injury which was also a factor resulting in unemployment.
“We depended on my granny’s pension to help out, she passed on last year and then I also had my NSFAS allowances during my undergraduate period of study.”
Meanwhile, Muchelene says she had an epiphany during her gap year in 2017.
“I saw how many young people sat on corners and I decided I had to do something with my life,” she explains.
“I was depressed for a while when I didn’t have money for registration and my church people advised me and there were so many offices I cried in, and finally I was admitted.
“I refused to be a statistic of the gown-wearing girls who sit on the corners of Manenberg.
“I took four taxis to get to UWC and my mom would sometimes be gone for hours and then come home with R34 for me to travel.
“This was not an easy road, but in the end it was worth it because my mother decided to go back to school because she never finished her matric.”
Inspired by her daughter, Joyce Albrecht, 45, is currently finishing her ECD Diploma at the College of Cape Town.
“She never finished her matric and me going to university has made her determined to achieve something in her life,” adds Muchelene.