So much more than a stolen blanket

A stolen blanket first alerted us but it was only when I heard his story that I realised that so much more has been taken from this young man.

You see, this first-year Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University student, who had been sleeping under a planked walkway along the beachfront near our campus, has been denied the opportunity to study because of failed promises. The government promised that financially-strapped students with the potential to achieve would receive funding to support their studies.

For all too many students this has not happened and they have returned home, their dreams of attaining an education and a better life now put on hold.

But not this student.

If today’s newspaper story is correct, this young man persevered in the hope that the funding would eventually arrive and he’d be able to continue his studies. He didn’t want his mother, a domestic worker, to know of his circumstances and add further to her burdens.

And so, when forced to vacate his off-campus accommodation because of an inability to pay, he set up “home” under the boardwalk, off Marine Drive. He’d lived like this for two months before his blankets and textbooks were stolen and he’d reported the matter to the Student Representative Council.

How sad.

How sad that the government’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has not been able to assist every worthy student; how sad that our university was oblivious to his circumstances and how sad that this young man cannot turn to his parents because of their own financial difficulties.

Much more has been taken from this student than a blanket and some text books for he is being denied the opportunity to a better life.

But the wonderful part is the triumph of the human spirit. No one can take this away from him.

I have no idea of this student’s academic capabilities but, in my book, it doesn’t matter very much because his resilience, his determination to succeed, his faith in the benefits of education reveals great depth of character.

As the late Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.



Let’s hope that through our pooled resources that we can help this young man to continue his studies and sleep safely at night.