From humble beginnings to teaching

A NOW-QUALIFIED teacher is proud to have finally made her dream come true – of obtaining her degree with honours – despite the odds that she has had to face.

Nobuhle Ndlovu was orphaned at the age of nine. Ten years ago, as a little girl, she lived with her gogo and her five cousins in a poverty-stricken household, with the hopes of one day becoming a teacher.

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At the time, it seemed utterly unachievable, and Ndlovu knew that reality meant she would have to work after leaving school just to make ends meet, but now, she stands proud as a qualified teacher.

While still at primary school, Ndlovu was part of The Domino Foundation Life Skills Programme’s ‘Back to School’ initiative. She joined their Girls’ Club Programme. Later, in her Grade 12 year, she received sandwiches from Domino’s Nutrition Programme to help her during the long study periods in the run-up to her matric exams.

Her connection with the foundation grew when she was introduced to Domino’s Skills Development Programme which creates a platform to equip young people from economically challenged backgrounds to reach their full potential.

The opportunity to get tertiary training opened for Ndlovu through the foundation’s Bursary Programme which provided the funding for a Bachelor of Education Degree at UKZN, living and travel allowances and educational resources.

Ndlovu was determined. The aspiring young teacher was capped in 2018 and continued her relationship with Domino, stepping into the position of leader of the Skills Development Programme. She then decided to enrol for her Honours.

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“I have seen a lot of education from the on-the-ground vantage point, personally and through my job. I am so aware of the huge gap there often is between the high-flown theory and the practical issues learners and teachers contend with. This second degree has grown me in my understanding of how that gap between curriculum theory and educational practice can be bridged, particularly in schools in the very challenged township culture,” she said.

Ndlovu conceded that her journey to the graduation ceremony at the UKZN Sports Centre on May 11 had not been an easy one as she juggled the heavy postgraduate study schedule and the demands of her Domino work.

“My mental health took a dip for the worse. I thought I might not be able to finish the course, but, by God’s grace, I did and I am very proud that I did,” said Ndlovu.

Thobile Msani, leader of Domino’s Life Skills, has known her since Ndlovu was in the programme as a Grade Four learner.

“She’s always been full of energy and eager to learn and participate,” he said.

“None of the donors who supported me in my postgrad studies are directly involved in education, but I am so grateful that they expressed their faith in me,” Ndlovu added.

She thanked Contour Technologies, SED Signs, Relief Medical and EPG.

Nicky Walton, Domino’s education coordinator, said, “We are always keen to invite other groups and individuals to partner with us in seeing young people from challenging backgrounds break out from their restrictive circumstances and achieve their educational dreams, just like Nobuhle has.”

Nicky can be contacted on 031 110 0730 or education@domino.org.za.

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