The 24-year-old foster child and Kagiso resident Linda Mnguni graduated with a National Diploma in Management Services at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently. He was a member of the Mandisa Shiceka High School Class of 2018.

When his parents died in 2011 he was still young and never knew them. Linda was fostered by his aunt in uMsinga in KwaZulu-Natal until the age of 13. He subsequently went to live with his grandmother in Kagiso Hostel.

Linda said his upbringing would have been worse without his extended family and the Gauteng Department of Social Development.

I will never forget what the Department has done for me growing up. They are the reason I stayed focused and continued chasing my dreams.”

Linda said being a foster child is not easy but with the support he got from the Department’s social worker Noluthando Thipane, he stayed determined regardless of the challenges he faced growing up without knowing his parents.

In 2019 he was accepted at UJ to study towards a Management Services Diploma.

I also got financial assistance from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). There was a time during my school years when I thought it would be better to die, but I worked hard through the support of the social worker whom I regarded as my parent because she was with me throughout my journey.

“She always ensured that I had everything I needed so that I could focus on my studies. She also monitored my school progress and that kept me motivated. Last year my foster grant was terminated due to my age, but my social worker is still giving me support.

“I will forever be grateful to her and the Department. Now I am a graduate, looking for a job, an internship or funding to study further,” added Linda.

Anyone wishing to assist Linda can contact him on 062 641 7181.