John Sibusiso Chalufu

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I was born on the 20th of March 1970 at Ndulinde, Natal.  My father was a priest in the Methodist Churst.   Unfortunately in 1971 both my parents passed away in a bus accident.  I then went to stay with my uncle, who is now a retired priest. 

I started my primary schooling at Ndwedwe, Natal, when I did sub-standard A up to Standard 3.  In 1981 my uncle was transferred to Baasbeston, Transwall, and that is where I did my Standard 4 up to Standard 8.  In 1986, through financial assistance from the Methodist Church, I went to a boarding school at Nelsprut, Kanyamazane, to do my Std. 9 and 10.

I’ve spent most of my life with my uncle and his children.  Being a priest and his wife, a housewife, it was at times very difficult financially.  As a result I was forced to go and do temporary jobs in the afternoon, on weekends and during school holidays.  I worked as a “garden boy” and did other odd jobs.

While schooling at Barbeston I was involved in a lot of activities both at school an in the community at large.  At school I assisted other pupils with academic problems.  I was a member of the Debate Society and of the school Cadet Band, which performed at various community functions.  In the community, I was a member of an organization know as “Allangamani” which, amongst other things, organized social events aimed at bringing the old and the young together and keeping the youth active.  It was ? about general community work like clean up operations and the building of ?.

At the boarding school, Thembeka S.S. School, I was involved with helping other students who had academic problems.   I was elected the representative of hostel student in meetings with the Minister of Education in Kangwane.  I  was a member of the Entertainment Committee at hostel.  I was the co-founder member and the Assistant Director of the Drama Society and also ?.

In 1988 I came to the University of Durban-Westville.  Here again did voluntary work where I worked as a tutor assisting Matric pupils on Saturdays with the academic problems (Academic Support Programme).  In subsequent years I was a member of the S.R.C.’s Orientation Team and in January 1992 I was elected the coordinator of the Academic Sub-committee.  I have also been involved in other community activities within the S.R.C. (U.D.W.).

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