Local dreams turn international
JOBURG - Siya Xuza, a 26-year-old South African who was born and raised in Umtata, started out with the dream to reach the biggest planet in our solar system, Jupiter, and although he hasn't made it there yet, this young visionary is well on his way to reaching his dreams.
Xuza started his journey in engineering at the tender age of five.
It was 21 years ago when Xuza decided that he wanted to travel to Jupiter, and the first thing he needed was to create rocket fuel that would get him there.
At five years old, he began creating rocket fuel in his kitchen – which ended in an explosion and singed kitchenware.
Years later, after creating a rocket, breaking the altitude record at 17 and gaining international recognition for his creations, he was invited by the King and Queen of Sweden to attend the Nobel Piece Prize Ceremony in 2006.
The young innovator only attended Wits University for four months, studying chemical engineering, before he was invited to attend school at Harvard University in the USA.
He explained that he encountered many challenges on his journey and when he felt like giving up, he pushed on because he had a dream.
“It wasn’t about the fame for me, it was just about getting to Jupiter,” said Xuza.
Xuza has had opportunities to meet influential people including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and even the Obama family.
Now graduated from Harvard University, Xuza has opted to return to South Africa to aid in development of the country, rather than living the good life in America.
He is the Total’s ambassador and is doing great work in his hometown developing the youth.
Xuza is so highly revered in the engineering world that there is even a minor planet orbiting Jupiter that has been named SiyaXuza, after him. This young man is set to bring great things to South Africa.
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