Sipho lives his dream

SIPHO Jabulani has a passion for educating children in rural areas so that they excel in maths and have bright futures.

Sipho's journey to become a qualified teacher didn't start off easily, and he had to work hard for what he has achieved.

He was educated in a rural school in the Kosi Bay area – Vulakwenile High School – and as he didn't have funds to further his education he arrived in Durban looking for work.

“I needed anything to keep alive, it was hard. I worked in construction and then decided to do something else. I started working in the security field in 2005, and worked with another company for one year before joining ADT in December 2006,” said Sipho.

Sipho realised he wanted more from his life, and in 2009 he decided to register to study through UNISA part-time.

“My life was not progressing, I didn't know what to do and my salary didn't get me far. I applied at UNISA not even knowing which forms to fill out, but I knew I wanted to do a BEd degree. In January 2010 I arrived to register and didn't have enough money to pay! My mom borrowed money from a friend to help, and I paid it back later,” said Sipho.

The determined young man started studying while he was working in Vause Road, Berea, and then moved to patrolling Manor Gardens Drive. He said he found it very difficult to work 12 hours a day and find time to study. His study modules included maths, which he hadn't done in seven years since he finished school, and he found it difficult to review the subject.

He spoke to a resident and told him about his problems, and he referred Sipho to Johann van den Berg, another resident in the road who was a retired university maths lecturer.

“I told him about my studies and he said he would help. I made an appointment to see him the next day, and that's where it started. We went through a lot and he helped me with everything. He was my mentor in almost everything in life,” said Sipho.

“I looked at Sipho's matric results, and for someone coming from a rural government school he was at a disadvantage. I thought it would be difficult, but three things that count for success are an aptitude for maths, a love of it and a willingness to work, and Sipho had all of those. He was determined and worked hard,” said Johann.

“At school my maths teacher, Miss Msweli, was my favourite. She was great, and she was the one who inspired me and encouraged me in the way she taught the subject. I felt one day I would also like to teach maths in the country, and I had an ambition to study to groom the future generation,” said Sipho.

Johann said it had been a hard slog, and the two of them spent hours at a stretch at his dining room table working on maths.

“I valued Sipho's aptitude and drive, and this really is an achievement. I was helping a teacher, not an individual. He has come a long way and it was nice helping such a diligent, intelligent pupil,” said Johann.

Five years later, with many distinctions along the way, Sipho has graduated with four distinctions.

He said he hoped the department would place him in a school in his area so he could go back and uplift children in a rural school.

“Children struggle with maths and science and they need people to help them with these subjects. The pass rate could be higher, and it is my priority to go back and give back by teaching them maths. I had a dream, I worked on it and it has come true, and I want these children to know this reality,” he said.

“I honour Sipho's teacher, Miss Msweli, as she taught such large classes, which is difficult, but she did her job well enough to inspire Sipho. I wish him all the best for his future,” said Johann.