Hugo Phungayo is passionate about politics

eMBALENHLE – Mr Hugo Phungayo said life is worth living and it is an opportunity to experience all that God has in store for him.

He believes life is like a rotating wheel and that there are times when an individual has the privilege of being on top of the wheel and, of course, otherwise.

Mr Phungayo is a second-year student at Rosebank College where he is enrolled at the Humanities Faculty for Public Relations.

He was born and bred in eMbalenhle and was in the Buyani Primary School.

He matriculated at Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School in 2015 with admission to study for a Bachelor’s degree.

He was raised by Ms Emmy Masango, a single parent, who ensured he got the support he needed at all times because he was continuously heckled by people in the community due to his unique view on sexuality.

He is a member of the African National Congress, IIE Rosebank College Debating Union currently and has also participated in other various organisations such as the RADS, BGEMS and Soulbuddyz.

Mr Phungayo moved to Johannesburg in 2016 to study.

From the dusty roads of Ext 12, he recently walked the tar roads of Cape Town as Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (Dirco) guest for the departmental budget vote.

This came after the bubbly and confident public relations student won the Budget Vote Article Writing Competition.

He saw the advert for the competition on 28 April and took a chance to enter and wrote a 2 000 word speech about what benefits South Africa derives from its membership with Brics.

Mr Phungayo said he knew for sure that this was a deal breaker for him as he has so much passion for politics and he wanted to be in the precincts of Parliament.

“I entered the competition and waited like every one else who had entered and was disappointed when the day of the announcement came and I wasn’t contacted. I thought I did not win.

“However I received an email that congratulated me for me winning a few days later.

“I was quite skeptical and confused because it was nearly a week after the announcement date.

“I verified the email with the department of Dirco and found out that it was true.

“I was ready to go to Parliament for the Dirco Budget Vote as an esteemed guest of the minister.”

Mr Phungayo said going to Parliament was an enlightening experience.

It gave him insight on how the ministry operates in this ever-changing and dynamic environment.

“Our first stop was Parliament where we met with the deputy ministers of Dirco and talked about issues that we feel need to be addressed

swiftly by South Africa.

“We then went to the official sitting in the National Assembly to listen to the minister’s budget vote speech and what stood out for me was the fact that we sat with diplomatic corps and ambassadors to states.

“The next day, we woke up very early to ensure that we attend the minister’s breakfast show where there was a discussion on BRICS and the minister’s speech.

“It was a fruitful one as we got to participate and also engage with the minister, ambassadors and commissioners of state.

“The speeches of the minister and deputy ministers were also a highlight.”

Mr Phungayo thanked God for this experience and said it is true that every noble and impeccable thing comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.

He thanked his mother, siblings, lecturers and friends who believed in him.

“I thank Dirco for picking me to be one of the winners.”