Nelson Mandela University helps realise pupil’s dream

Picture:Eugen Coetzee; from left: NMU’S Dr Muki Moeng, Siphelo Mdungane and Continental Tyre SA’s Jummy Bosman.

Siphelo Ndungane is an eighteen year old from KwaZakhele Township, Port Elizabeth.  He suffers from a rare life- threatening illness. As a result he dropped out of school, because he was unable to continue with his studies – but Siphelo had a dream.

He dreams of becoming a teacher one day and with the help of Reach for a Dream, he was taken to Nelson Mandela University on Friday, 28 July to visit the Faculty of Education.

He met with Executive Dean of Education, Dr Muki Moeng, who took him on a tour and arranged for him to speak to lecturers.

Reach for a Dream seeks to alleviate the strain that a life-threatening illness places on these children and their families by providing the children with the opportunity to realise their dream.

Siphelo was surprised with a brand new laptop and modem sponsored by Continental Tyre SA.

This helped make his life easier in terms of internet access and being able to continue with his studies.

“I am so happy and grateful that this has been made possible,” Siphelo said.

Dr Moeng said: “We are in dire need of good teachers, ones who are just like him and want to change the world.”

The Eastern Cape is faced with various challenges that have an impact on the development of the province and the country in general.

These include the regular decline in matric results, lack of employment opportunities amongst the youth and in particular graduates, poverty-stricken communities, teenage pregnancies and a perceived lack of youth development programs that will encourage the engagement or participation of the youth.

The need for change is great and Siphelo has positioned himself as being one step closer to realizing his dream and become a voice for young people with dreams.

As the great Tata Nelson Mandela once said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

It is with these inspiring words that individuals like Siphelo, fight against all odds and are taking initiative in shaping their lives for the better.