Siyakha Xweso (30)

WHEN my father, Gwebibango Zweso, was retrenched in 2005 and lost his job at mine in Gauteng, I was devastated. The financial impact of my father’s loss on income was so severe that I had to drop out of tertiary in Pretoria where I was studying to become an electrical engineer. I honestly did not know what I was going to do with my life.

I tried many things to earn an income, including selling fat cakes. Life was extremely tough at the time. My breakthrough occurred when I was staying with Pastor John Mdluli of the Independent Bible Church in Pretoria. One day when I was around Waterkloof Base, I saw people wearing the uniform of the airforce. I followed them until they entered into the premises of the base. I approached a guard at the gate and asked him what is it that I needed to qualify to join the force. He told me that my timing was perfect as the defence force was recruiting new members in the army, the navy, the airforce and the medical services.

He assisted me to get the forms and I completed all the four sections. I was provisionally accepted to join the army. However, I failed the medical test as I was considered to be too much of a lightweight. I was advised to consult a dietician who later assisted me to qualify and join the army.

I joined the army in 2008 and did my basic military training in Bethlehem for six months. The following year, I was selected for an officers’ training course in Kroonstad. I have never looked back. I have been getting further training and have been promoted several times. Currently my rank is that of a full Lieutenant. In 2012, I was deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Three years later, I was deployed to Sudan where I served as troop commander. On September 27 2015, our unit was ambushed. We fought and repelled fire for 45 minutes. I was shot and wounded in the leg but I later recovered. I am grateful to serve my country. I cannot see myself doing anything else.