About Us
Letter from a student
Sibusiso Desmond Mthembu
Dear Dr. Blecher
Thank you for taking this time to read my letter. My name is Sibusiso Desmond Mthembu. I did my first year last year (2006).
I am a 21 year old son of Thembi Mthembu and the late Dumisani Dladla. I grew up with my father in a big family at Umlazi, with my Dad. I loved them so much. As I was growing up, they started to die. I couldn't understand it then but now, I know that AIDS played a huge factor in my family. As they started to disappear, I told myself that when I grow up, I will be a Doctor and no one in my family will ever die. Of course, I was still young then.
When I was 13, I moved to stay with my Mother at Inanda. Life was very difficult because my Father wasn't working and my Mom was working for a firm making about R250 a week. That meant a lot of things like, no money for lunch at school, no new clothes for Christmas, and lot of things that other kids had, we didn't have. I couldn't understand but as I grew up, I got used to the situation. With a wages of about R250, taking care of three kids, 2 in High School and 1 in Primary, life wasn't gonna be easy for my Mom, and us. I was the only fortunate kid because to me, my family situation has motivated me to do my best to better the situation.
I was very good at school, with my favourite subjects being Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry. I guess it was a motivation for what I always wanted to do. I matriculated in 2003; my family was very excited for me. When 2004 came, life became tougher. I was admitted to study for a Bachelor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Unfortunately I had to drop out because I couldn't pay tuition and also, it was hard because I didn't have books, money to travel to Varsity. Sometimes we went to bed without eating anything because Mom had to give the money to go to Varsity. I just couldn't put my family through all of that. In 2004, the same thing happened. Believe me, I tried to apply for bursaries and scholarship but, all of that went in vain.
Most people ask me if I think I wasted two years and my answer is always the same. The library was like my second home. I thought because I knew the syllabus I could study for myself. I was called by my ex-class teacher to come and help the students who were struggling in Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology. I am happy to tell you that the student I helped all passed. And to hear them say thank you was enough for me. So, my two years not at school was a gain for other people and it also helped me to realize that God has blessed me with a lot of talents and flexibility.
Towards the end of 2005, I entered the Backstage Superstar Competition on E-TV. With no hope of winning, I did very well because, of the thousand of people from all the 9 provinces, I was in the Top 3 of the whole of South Africa! When they chose the winner, they chose a guy from Western Cape. For me, I had already won because I had done far more than I thought I would. In my family, I am the one who had done lots of "firsts". First to go to Varsity, appear on National TV, travel by plane. To here my Mom and some of my family members saying how proud they were of me, I new I was born to make a difference.
Amongst the judges of the Competition, Grace "My Guardian Angel" Mahlaba was one of them. She called me after the Competition and asked me how I was doing and also what was happening in my family. I told him everything, from how I wanted to go to school, how we were struggling at home, how the break up of my Mom and Dad affected me and my brother and sister. I felt like I could open up to her. She told me she was gonna help me. She also asked me about music. I told her that music was my other passion but that I wanted to get a degree first, and then do my Music. I believe that if you're an artist, you need to be inspired to do something and I don't want to do music because I have to, but because I want to. To me, it's more like hobby than anything.
When she introduced me to CIDA, she told me that she knows it's not what I wanted but, she had a great feeling about this. I was at a point where I had told myself that, what was happening was part of God's plan. I thought that as a Science student from high school, it was going to be tough for me. But, one thing I learnt was that, one can do anything he put his mind in. I am happy to say that I passed ALL of my courses and Grace is very proud of me, and so am I.
Like most of the things in my life, God helped me be selected as one of the student to represent CIDA at the Oprah/IYL Summer Leadership tour to the USA. I was very happy and so was my family, including Grace. It was one of the highlight of my life and I learnt a lot of things. On the last day in Boston, before we got back, I met a Professor from Harvard University. We spoke a lot about health related issues and he was asking me about the challenges we're facing in South Africa. I spoke about a lot of things including HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, etc. He said he was gonna keep in touch and promised to sponsor me, if I still wanted to do Medicine.
I am happy to say that I was accepted at Medical School, Wits University, to study for Bachelor of Health Science. This letter is to thank you very much because if it wasn't for CIDA, I wouldn't be where I am. Now, I have a chance to make my dream come true, and to contribute positively not only to my family, my community, but also to South Africa.
CIDA has taught me a lot of things. And there is big part of me that feels sad that I'm leaving CIDA. But mostly, there are lot of values I learnt form CIDA that I don't want to let go, including the willingness to give and make a positive difference. My life has changed a lot and as you can see, I can even write a book about my life. But thank you very much to you and CIDA for being one of the greatest chapters in my book. You are great inspiration to me and I just want you to know that I will forever be greatful to you.
And if there is any way I can contribute, be it motivational speaking or anything, please feel free to contact me. My contact details are with your assistant.
Regards,
Sibusiso Desmond Mthembu