I come from Ngobozana, a small village in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape—a place where resilience is woven into daily life. Raised by my grandmother, I learned perseverance, humility, and the belief that education is not only a personal achievement but a pathway for others as well. Being the first in my family to pass matric and attend university carried both ambition and responsibility.
When my grandmother passed away in 2023, I turned to running to process my grief. What began as a way to cope soon became a passion. Marathons taught me lessons that reach far beyond the road: progress is about endurance, discipline, and the strength of community. These same lessons have guided me in science, where persistence and collaboration are as important as discovery.
Today, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Chemistry at the Durban University of Technology. My studies have taken me from Durban to Valladolid and Groningen, each place shaping my understanding of science as both a global language and a tool for change. Along the way, I have worked as a teaching assistant, laboratory demonstrator, mentor, and intern at Technology Transfer and Innovation.
Each of these roles offered more than technical experience; they gave me moments of impact. In Lusikisiki, I witnessed the joy of Grade 7 learners when a difficult concept finally clicked, teaching me patience and the value of accessible education. At TTI, I saw how research can leave the lab and transform industries and livelihoods. These experiences deepened my conviction that science is not only about knowledge but about service to society.
That conviction grew when I joined the Street Biz Foundation’s Be A Nelson movement. Weekly sessions with diverse voices across continents became a living classroom of empathy and leadership. I learned that leadership is less about titles and more about creating space for others and stepping forward with courage. Through our sustainability project with the Open University, I came to appreciate the importance of listening to every voice and leading in ways that uplift.
Inspired by these lessons, I started my pay-it-forward project in 2022 to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Lusikisiki apply to universities and support them through the transition. Seeing one of my mentees become the first in their family to register at university was a powerful reminder that leadership is measured not by how far I rise but by how many people I bring with me.
Even while studying abroad, I have carried this spirit with me. Meeting fellow Be A Nelson members overseas reminded me that the movement is not bound by geography. It is a mindset, a community, and a vision that stretches across borders.
Looking forward, I intend to carry these lessons into every space I enter. Whether I am in the lab working on synthesis, mentoring future students, or collaborating internationally, I remain committed to science as service. For me, sustainability is not only about protecting the planet but also about sustaining people, potential, and purpose.
From the quiet hills of Ngobozana to international classrooms, my journey has been shaped by resilience, community, and a deep sense of service. Being a Nelson is not just something I did—it is who I am becoming.