Life has never been lavish for the South African
youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. But after being granted an opportunity to
further her studies, Namatsego Ngakane made up her mind that she will pursue
her dreams against all odds.
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Inspiring: Namatego Ngakane believes in helping learners progress in life.
(Photo Katekani Chabalala)
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Start
of a Dream
Ngakane (23) is a vibrant, ambitious young woman who
chose to open her own doors to success, by enrolling at the University
of Johannesburg to obtain a higher qualification in BEd
Education. After four years of studying as a final year
student her ultimate goal in the year 2015 is to further her studies as a honours
student. “Knowing that I’m about to get my degree and pursue my postgrad studies
excites me,” she said with a bright grin.
People
in Townships have a parochial mind-set
Although Ngakane was born in Soweto
and now lives in Randfontein
it would be dreadful for her to go back and live the township lifestyle again
since she has experience it. “Hell no! I would never go back to the township
life,” Ngakane said. However, poverty is not the root cause of her attitude
towards the township life but she has detected their parochial mind-set which
can be contagious. “I value my life, goals and success in life and they set
their standards very low in life,” she said.
20
Years of democracy means 20 Years of Possibilities
South Africa celebrating 20 years of democracy means
that an ordinary person has an opportunity to prove that they have the
potential to rise above challenges. “You can achieve whatever you set your mind
to achieve,” said Ngakane. To partake in the 20 years of democracy begins
through determination and looking above challenging situations. Although
majority of South Africans may have not obtained freedom economically, Ngakane
believes that there is potential for growth. Growth in her opinion is
progressing and achieving goals despite of challenges. “We all come across
challenges, they might be different it is just our approach to those challenges
that can bring about change,” she said.
In
to the future of South Africa’s Democracy
In the near future Ngakane predicts that South
Africa can be faced with the possibility of a female president. “It could be Nkosazana
Dlamini-Zuma or Baleka
Mbete,” she said. Moreover,
Nkgakane believes that in the near future the current leadership, the African National Congress
(ANC) might be removed because majority of the population is not happy with
service delivery. “I do not think we have high levels of poverty, we have high
levels of corruption in this country,” she said.
Politics in South Africa lack advancement although
money may be allocate for projects those in positions of power use it for their
own personal benefits. In fact, she
clarifiers that the only way to implement change in to South African politics
is to rather change the way government deploys politicians on the basis of
their partake in the struggle and therefore government should consider
experienced candidates. “A good leader not just leads but also learns to
follow,” said Ngakane.
In
to the future of South Africa’s Education
Though she has a hectic week on campus, her passion
for teaching is reflected through tutoring first and second year students.
Ngakane said “The biggest fulfilment I have in my profession is to help someone
else progress in life.” However, her main concern about her profession is that
educators earn less and the lack of facilities to improve the quality of
learning in classrooms. “Teachers produce other professions and hold the future
of the country in their hands yet they are not respected and looked down upon,”
she said. Although her career choice has challenges of disciplining learners
she remains passionate about her career, and speaks profoundly about the
importance of education. Ngakane said South Africa can improve education
standards by employing qualified teachers hence, in Finland
teacher are hired if only they have obtained a Master’s qualification.
Straight
talk for Women
Her talkative personality makes her interesting and
her passion regarding social issues encountered by women. “Women in particular
are still oppressed and depend on men for sustenance,” Ngakane said. Being in a
relationship has become a sign of a glass ceiling for women and their
obligation to remain in those relationships. Actually she believes that most
women avoid the challenge of going out there and doing things for themselves
therefore, their lives are defined by their relationships and how their
partners treat them. “If you are going to measure yourself according to how
other people treat you, you are destined to be doomed,” she said. In fact, “It
is sad, because he who feeds you controls you,” said Ngakane.
The
power of Dreaming Big
Ngakane looks up to her mother Mathidiso Ngakane and
Oprah Winfrey
as her role model. “These women can go against the odds of life struggles,
pursue success and still want to achieve more,” she said. “Discontent is the
first necessity of progress,” is her favourite quote by Thomas Edison.
“This quote means if a person is unhappy about the state of their life, that is
the beginning of change,” she said. Her career is not only progressing in
education but she has even greater plans for the future. “My biggest dream is
to be financially independent, to have my own property business, obtain my PhD
and have a family,” she said with a bright smile.
By Katekani Chabalala
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