So many positive lessons from those who triumphed over odds
The newspapers are full of doom and gloom, and make for dreary reading.
But then among all this news of disasters and crime, suddenly there is a shining light.
The week of May 5-12 (OK, eight days) featured a number of outstanding people of all ages.
These people, working against the odds, made good and are certainly inspirational.
I heartily congratulate them.
Let me name them and enumerate their achievements — the order is as per date of publication.
No 1 is Olwam Mnqwazi, an author who was selected to partner with Parker Pen SA, who regard him as an inspirational person leaving his mark in many ways.
Typical of rural upbringing, his grandmother played a big part in his life, which could not have been easy at all. Well done, Olwam!
No 2 is Hlumela Mjikwa, a young woman from Kariega who was selected from among 82 aspirants to participate in some of the productions that the Sonwa Sabuka Institute for the Performing Arts will be performing at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda next month.
She may have struggled academically in school, but luckily her teachers identified her strengths, being sport, drama and dance, and motivated her to excel in these.
I wish her well and trust she will go onto bigger things in the future.
No 3 is Vincent Brennan, an octogenarian from KwaZulu-Natal, who was recently awarded a PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
At 88, he is their oldest graduate.
Juggling his work with writing his thesis was a challenge, but he was well supported by his supervisors, and their encouragement helped him complete his studies.
His thesis is expected to provide a theological foundation to assist churches to take a critical look at their stewardship programmes, and to steer them away from the current exclusive emphasis on fundraising.
Good luck with that!
No 4 is Michelle Luscombe, who suffered a heart attack at 12 years of age, and spent the next years in and out of hospitals recovering from cardiac arrest episodes, finally receiving a heart transplant 11 years later.
She used her new lease on life to work hard at competitive race walking and only three years after receiving the life-saving transplant, competed in the SA National Transplant Games, where she bagged a spot to compete at the international competition the following year.
She passed on that golden opportunity but trained hard for the next five years, winning a medal at the 2022 SA Nationals.
Her main claim to fame is the bronze medal she won in the racewalking event at the World Transplant Games held in Australia recently.
Here’s wishing you good luck in the next World Games!
No 5 is Gletwyn Rubidge, a 54-year-old “youngster” from Gqeberha and the world record holder for free-diving, having gone as deep as 172m only using special free-diving fins.
Wow, I’ve gone down 30m and could not even think of going deeper!
He competed in the Freediving World Cup in Egypt this month.
The sport takes a lot of training to build up muscle and holding your breath, and at his age this is fantastic.
No 6 is Luke Boswell, a 14year-old whizz kid who went to Bali to strut his technological invention at the Grand Final of the Indonesia International Science Technology and Engineering Competition.
He designed what can only be called a contraption, that comprised a DC motor and wind turbine blades, to determine the performance and output of types of wind turbines, performing at different wind velocities.
It is expected that his study will enable people in (mainly) rural areas to generate electricity.
He will already have returned from his trip and I trust that we will hear about any progress made in this project.
No 7 is Melikaya Nonyukela, a local man who won the world draughts qualifier championships held in Turkey this month.
He will compete in the World Championships later this year.
I was not even aware that this was a competitive activity, but Melikaya takes it seriously and practices four hours daily with his friend Vuyani Mazibuko, who had accompanied him to Turkey.
Again, he has support from friends and family, without which none of the people featured here would have made the grade. Good luck at the World Championships!
No 8 is Thabiso Molonyama, who has the rather unique occupation of mixology — making cocktails.
Sheesh, what a job! His concoction, err... cocktail, which he named Nimbus Moon, won the Africa section of the Johnnie Walker Global bartender Challenge recently.
His was No 1 from 200 entries across 47 countries.
If they need more judges, I volunteer!
No 9 is Sisa Pazi, a young man who saw little prospects in his future when helping his granny raise a bunch of children, but who overcame all obstacles to be awarded a PhD in mathematical statistics.
Luckily this youngster was academically gifted and was finally afforded the opportunity to study for a B.Sc, which he gained cum laude.
Juggling family, work and study was extremely taxing, entailing a 3am start to the day.
His family was fully supportive, though, and the hard work paid off.
Hats off to you, Sisa!