Nkosinaathi Masondo

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I was born to the family of indigency, on the 28th of January 1969, in the vicinity of Vruheid.   Though so indigent the family was, managed to send us to school and ultimately to pay for our schooling costs.  At present we are a family of seven, three sisters and four brothers and all of us are at least attending educational institutions except for my brother who is the member of the notorious SAP force.  He supports the family party and dad who’s the mine stores labourer does the rest.

I completed my primary education at the then Thakazela Primary School exclusively for blacks and thereafter moved to Filidi Secondary School.  It is clear, beyond doubts that I spent almost the greater portion of my adolescence confined to Vryheid due to reasons, political, economic and social.  Such reasons even forced me to work after matriculation to earn something for my studies.  Though I had to contribute to the family partially, which of course was pride to me, I managed to reach sight of my dreams.

From then I joined the UDW community as a student in the Public Administration faculty.  Happy to be a varsity student I did so many things both academic and not.  Among the courses I had to do for my B. Admin degree was Political Science was at first.  At first it sounded nonsensical because I mistook it for mere politics but believe you me I got the feel within the lightening strike.  Up to now I am convinced that I like Political Science and moreover I’m doing okay.

No matter what, there’s no battle without casualties.  To say it painfully I was one of the financial casualties in 1989 because I could not return for my studies and therefore the alternative was to work.  Fortunately with the assistance of my parents I managed to put together some nest eggs to return to my studies.  Mention how I feared last year would be more than superimposing the image I have already painted of my plight.  Once more I decided to take another faithful French leave to gather something for my studies but fortunately this time EAP came to my rescue with what I call the sizeable assistance which covers tuition, residence and book fees.  At long last after being turned down more than a umpteenth times that I could remember, I sighed the last one for relief.

Due to the late notification by the sponsor I got myself once again in a miserable situation where I had to stay at Santa Cruz.  EAP does not pay out meal prices to students who are outside the university resident and now the problem throttling me is money to buy food.  Had I stayed in the hostel there wouldn’t be any problem.

As are as my consideration of taking Political Science for my post-graduate degree is concerned I feel I am still ambivalent because there is this desire to do B. Soc. Sc.  This stems from the fact that I am uncomfortable with the degree at hand.

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