Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Humble roots inspire Nhlapo
CPUT vice-chancellor’s rural childhood shapes his views on education
“ANYBODY can be somebody.” These are the words of new Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) vice-chancellor Chris Nhlapo.
From small beginnings at Paul Roux, Nhlapo echoed this in an exclusive interview with the Weekend Argus when he described his childhood and how living in a rural area actually helped him understand things better.
“Coming from the rural side, you learn something about the biological concept, botanical aspect and even ... astronomy. By default, you find yourself seeing the open sky and being able to name the stars and even relate them to seasons when you study astronomy,” said Nhlapo.
He started his school career at the age of 9. “The reason was simple: we lived on a farm and the school was very, very far, approximately 15km, actually; the norm was that you have to be strong to be able to walk. This was a challenge that parents were facing because there were gravel roads. That was the reason one started school at 9: because you can walk to school.”
From there, he went to QwaQwa because his uncles were living there. It was here that he started high school at a science school. “I started excelling in science and registered for my BSc at the University of the North. Though my intention was to go to the University of Fort Hare, it was difficult because you had to apply for a study permit and mine never arrived. The reason I wanted to go there was because all the people we used to know were coming from there, like Buthelezi and Mandela, even role models who were strong mathematicians were coming from there.”
Looking back at his childhood, he recalled that his father would say that his nine siblings should always wake up early. Nhlapo is the eighth-born in his family.
“Unfortunately, both my mother and father could not read or write, but they were hard workers. My father was a wise man even though he did not go to school. My mother the same. We were a God-fearing family who grew up going to church.”
Being the eighth child in the family, he lives by the principles and values his parents taught him and his siblings. “We were a big family, nine siblings, but my parents were able to provide for us. No one would say that we were not catered for. We would share. Sharing even clothes. Even the brothers’ clothing was passed down, and being lower in the rank, I would sometimes get it after it had been used a few times, but we would not complain. However, my story is not unique, this sustained a lot of African families.”
Now there are only three siblings left in his family, including himself. He has two sisters whom he sees from time to time. Nhlapo did his BSc, majoring in chemistry and mathematics, and has completed both his Honours and Master’s degrees in polymer science. He also has PhD from Potchefstroom University. He was also the head of chemistry at the university of the North and the Free State and later joined the National Research Foundation (NRF) in a management capacity.
At the NRF he helped to build research capacity at higher education institutions.
He jokingly added that having to learn in Afrikaans was not a challenge, as coming from the Free State, he knew it well and got a “B” for it at school.
Nhlapo has been married for 24 years and has two children. He said his family lead simple lives.
When he is not working, he is spending time with his family or enjoying one of his hobbies which include playing golf. “I like playing golf. I like people who are consistent in the game like Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. I also like wood and being out in nature. I enjoy making things using wood. This goes back to my upbringing because I like to go back and be in nature.”
You won’t find him in big, bustling malls because he prefers to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Nhlapo also likes enjoying sitdown meals with his family and said the best dish he prepared for them was beef stew.
“I also enjoy a good potjie that you can put everything in. It must be well-cooked. It’s fantastic, you musn’t add too much spice, put the potatoes in and just add some salt in it.”
Recalling his favourite childhood food, he said he thoroughly enjoyed the dumplings his mother would make for them.
“I want to mention that I would not be where I am today without the support of my beautiful wife. She resigned from her job to support me.”