Centre helps ex-phoenix pupil
RISHERN Naik, 18, is making waves at UCT thanks to the Mafukuzela-gandhi Circuit Management Centre (MG-CMC).
The former pupil of Phoenix’s Eastbury Secondary School had desperately sought a career in the medical field.
The MG-CMC aims to improve the lives of pupils at 180 schools in othongathi, Verulam, Phoenix and Inanda.
MG-CMC celebrated a decade of service last week while Naik, one of many pupils it helped, raced between practical assessments with other UCT health science first-year students.
Last year, Naik aced matric with seven distinctions, including 98% for physical science, accounting and life science.
Eastbury principal Jayintheelall (JK) Maharaj said he could not forget the bright spark because of Naik’s dire circumstances.
He said: “Naik was raised by his mother and didn’t have the necessary resources to study medicine.”
The youngster was singled out by the MG-CMC, which helped him raise his grades through their distinction programmes in which talented pupils who can’t afford private tuition are offered streamlined courses by specialist teachers.
“The MG-CMC was so determined to get Rishern to the top that they would call almost daily to check on his progress,” Maharaj said.
The MG-CMC stepped in again when Naik was selected to study at UCT, donating R40 000 towards a fundraising programme the school arranged to ensure Naik’s dreams came true.
At its 10th anniversary celebration, the MG-CMC planned future programmes to help others in need.
The centre’s Sthembiso Lushozi said: “We want to ensure our children are taught the skills they need to be successful after school.”