Melusi Olifant

AS THE school year kicks off this week, Melusi Olifant, an aspiring rescue technician, is making some serious sacrifices.

The Grade 10 pupil of Edendale Comprehensive School in Pietermaritzburg, who celebrated his 16th birthday on Friday, has stopped playing soccer to devote more time to his studies this year.

“I am not going to participate in sports activities this year because I want to do much better than last year. The previous year was good to me academically, but I want to excel next year,” said Melusi.

He described last year as “energy-sapping”.

“When you go to the next grade, you are bound to learn new things, and that can be a daunting task that requires one to focus. I conquered, but the war is not over as yet.”

Although he did well in Grade 9 last year, Melusi said his goal was to score distinctions in Grade 12 in 2018.

“That’s why I’m dropping soccer, the sport I love. I know that my future starts now.”

His love for people was what had inspired him to choose a career as a rescue technician.

On the #FeesMustFall campaign, Melusi said the government had to keep its promise to freeze fees this year. But freezing fees was not enough.

“Government must scrap fees altogether, as there are families that cannot afford to buy bread. To ask for thousands from them is unfair.”