SANELE Gamede, a Durban resident, lives by the saying that ‘failure is not fatal’.
The 32-year-old has used his failures to build himself up to the person he is today.
Gamede, who failed Grade 10, 11 and 12, twice, turned his life around when he completed high school and tertiary education as he is now a motivational speaker.
Gamede has completed his PhD and holds a number of qualifications and has launched the #MatricUngazibulali campaign, which roughly translates to ‘matrics, don’t kill yourself’ and encourages matriculants to stop viewing a fail as a death sentence.
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The campaign, seeks to motivate, educate, encourage, and give hope to learners. “This campaign is also aimed at sharing information about the options learners have if they don’t pass Grade 12, and providing career guidance on how to choose a career to those who have passed but still don’t know how to choose a career,” said Gamede.
The campaign also encourages the youth to also focus on Technical Vocational Education and Training colleges.
Gamede said he now advocates the importance of education.
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“The youth are who I want to bring my message to. I don’t want them to stay at home and not finish their studies,” he said. “Seeing stories and hearing accounts of young people committing suicide because they can’t deal with stress and depression by not making it to matric, it is heartbreaking,” he said.
Gamede has now also created a Facebook group, #MatricUngazibulali Support Group, where people can seek support if they feel suicidal.
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