Helping hand for brothers in need
A SIMPLE call for help has translated into hope for brothers Bulelani, 25, and Masande Putuzo, 24, from the Eastern Cape town of Qumbu.
In 2012, former Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) call centre operator Vatiswa Zwelibanzi took a call from Bulelani, who desperately wanted to study at NMMU.
However, he did not have the money required for the application fee, let alone a year of tuition.
Zwelibanzi was so moved by Bulelani’s story that she went beyond the call of duty and assisted him in getting into NMMU.
“I saw potential in his matric results and encouraged him to apply,” Zwelibanzi said.
“To my surprise, he sent two application forms, his own and one for his brother, Masande, who was in matric at the time.”
With the help of her then manager Christelle Feyt, application fees, NSFAS funding and acceptance into the NDip Agriculture programme were secured for both brothers.
“Bulelani took the first step by showing determination that, despite not having any money, he wanted to study,” Zwelibanzi said.
“His cry for help touched my heart.”
When the brothers arrived in Port Elizabeth from their rural village near Mthatha they had no money, food, bedding or toiletries and only a few items of clothing.
Zwelibanzi, who has two children of her own, bought them the necessities and housed them until their residences opened.
“Fortunately, I received my annual bonus that month and my church, Pawulos Oyingcwele Catholic Church in Motherwell, also assisted with a financial contribution,” Zwelibanzi said.
She felt the need to give back since she was also helped by family while she was studying.
The brothers’ single mother, who did domestic jobs to support her four children, sometimes earned as little as R200 a week.
“Coming to university was a dream come true for us, we wanted to study to take our mother out of poverty,” Bulelani, who had never left Qumbu before, said.
“That is what drove us and gave us the courage. Even if we didn’t know where we were going, we were going to have to fight.”
The brothers, who had never touched a computer in their lives before, found the academic work challenging, but through the support of staff in the science faculty, their mother proudly witnessed them receive their National Diploma in Agriculture yesterday.
The brothers also made special mention of postgraduate chemistry student Peter Lee, who also assisted them in their time of need.
“We chose to study agriculture because we come from a rural area where people are starving. They have land but don’t know how to utilise it,” Bulelani said.
“We want to apply for land and go back to our village to help educate our community.”