Siphamandla Magagula’s Story of Determination and Triumph
When 18-year-old Siphamandla Sandile Magagula registered for a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) earlier this week, he could not help but rejoice.
Not only did that moment symbolise his first step to a brighter future as an electrician, but it was also proof that the long hours he put towards studying for his matric examinations were certainly not in vain.
The young man from Usuthu, near the royal palace in Nongoma, admits that passing his matric subjects required a great deal of commitment and time management as he took eight subjects. His dedication led to him scoring 45 points – attaining level 7 in Maths, Isizulu, Life Orientation and Tourism. He achieved a Level 6 pass for Physics, English and Agricultural Science as well as a level 5 pass in Life Sciences.
“I knew that with hard work and dedication, I was going to achieve my target,” said Magagula who added that his only mission was to improve on every previous test mark.
Even when life threw him a curveball in May 2023, Magagula showed strength of character. “It was around 7pm when I was attacked by a group of people. Even today I don’t know how I managed to escape that crowd. I was so badly injured, I had to be absent from school for about two weeks and when I came back, they had already started a new chapter in almost all the subjects – mind you I hadn’t even finished the previous chapters,” recalled the first-year student.
He is grateful to his teachers, grandfather, two “beautiful sisters” and most especially his mother for the role they played in ensuring he did not lose heart.
Upon the commencement of the 2024 academic year, Magagula intends to hit the ground running so as to not lose the momentum he built in his matric year. He also vouched to always remember his father’s last words to “study hard no matter what because education is the only weapon to defeat your enemies”.
- Naledi Hlefane
Picture: Supplied
