Bright future ahead of impaired student
"I would like to thank the RAF and the NCPD for investing in me and my future."
The National Council For Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) partnered to hand over assistive educational devices to university student Tiyani Mbenzani.
On February 25, visually impaired University of Johannesburg (UJ) law student Tiyani received the devices at the council’s Edenvale offices.
During his matric year at Rivoni School for the Blind in Limpopo, Tiyani accumulated five distinctions and was the best-performing student at the school.
His marks placed him among the top 30 matric learners in South Africa last year.
Subjects he received distinctions for included economics, business studies, history, Tsonga and English.
Born in 2000, Tiyani lost his sight and went blind in Grade Five at the age of 11.
In 2012, he transferred to Rivoni School for the Blind.
Devices he was given were a specialised laptop, a recorder, memory sticks, a modem and a noise-cancelling Bluetooth headset.
“Thank you very much for the devices. I will do my best. With them I will reach my full potential at university.
“I would like to thank the RAF and the NCPD for investing in me and my future.
“I cannot explain how happy I am.”
“Education is a powerful weapon to fight poverty and a unique key to open doors,” said Dylan Mashele of the NCPD, who went to the same school as Tiyani.
Nokuthula Manana of RAF said the organisation decided to assist because it has identified gaps in SA society.
“The RAF wants to bring about real change and looks forward to working with the NCPD.”
While at UJ, Tiyani hopes to specialise in commercial law.
He decided to pursue a career in law because of his love for South Africa and his hopes to bring about change.
