11/09/2022
Rural boy shines bright despite eyesight challenges
Have you ever heard of a term "born for grateness"? Well, it must sound cliche or farfetched when you imagine that while living in the rural areas like KwaMhlabuyalingana, in the North of KwaZulu-Natal or other villages similar to that. However, this is not just an illusion to the young, motivated Bongani Mkhize from Sizaminqubeko Combined School.
Bongani lives with a condition that has partially blinded his eyesight, but that is not a reason to think below average for this young man.
"In life you must not lose faith, as you see me now, I am partially blind, but I don't focus on my disability, I put my focus on what I'm capable of doing, and that's where my energy goes" Said Mkhize with a bright smile.
After obtaining number one spot in a district competition to go compete with other pupil in the KZN legislature's children Parliament, Bongani feels that the sky is not even a limit.
Black Excellence Network had a privilege of sitting down with this young man and when asked if the journey was difficult for him, as he had to compete with other pupils from private schools across KwaZulu-Natal, he said, it was never a problem for him.
"I am not afraid of competition, it is part of life, although I became no. 6 on a Provincial level, to me, my win started when I decided to enter the competition." Confidently said the neatly and formally dressed grade 7 learner, with well polished English.
He further told BEN that he enjoys talking, making new friends and dressing smart, as this boosts his confidence.
Bongani thanked his school teachers, especially Mr Simphiwe Mthethwa and his principal Mr Cebolenkosi Gumede for supporting him and encouraging him daily to do better.
"We try to create environmental suitable for our learners, we ensure that teachers are at school on time, so that the teaching and learning process takes place smoothly." - said the proud principal Mr Gumede
Gumede continued to say, they developed a simple strategy to encourage students to do better at school.
"When it is exam time, we encourage students by giving them small tokens of appreciation, like taking the top3 on each grade, out for lunch at KFC, and then we also contribute more cash with other teachers to take top 1s to a trip at a game reserve for the whole day. This becomes a fantastic competition" - He said
Gumede vowed that his mandate is to make Sizaminqubeko Combined School a school of excellence, and eventually, the best school in the province in the next 5 years.
"If we keep producing more students like Bongani, we have no doubt that our matric will be top quality class" - Mr Gumede further stated
Mr Simphiwe Mthethwa, Bongani's Economics and Management Sciences (EMS) subject teacher, said he saw the potential of Bongani in everything he does, and his willingness to help other students who are struggling drew him to the young man.
"Bongani is always willing to help, he also motivates his fellow students. A lot of them have changed due to support they get from Bongani, therefore, we also have to support him."
He further told BEN that Mkhize is a very bright student, he always obtain distinctions in his class and above all, he is a very respectful child.
"In my entire teaching career, no student has ever gotten 100% on EMS, I always set the exam paper to be a bit tough and I was sure no one will get it 100%, but this boy did it. To me, that goes down to my history records in my career. - Said Mthethwa.
It is without a doubt that hard work really does pay off. Black Excellence Network wishes Bongani Mkhize and his school all the best.
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