A story of ultimate determination. After becoming orphaned in her matric year, Anelisa Mfenyana prevailed, refusing to give up on her dreams. Now, she wears her Rhodes graduation cap like a crown with a selfless future in mind.
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape (18 April, 2023) — In her matric year Rhodes University’s Anelisa Mfenyana’s life changed forever, in a way that would set most to put their dreams on the back burner.
In 2010, she had become an orphan, living on her own and forced to take care of herself. Understandably, her final year marks were impacted. Remarkably, this was only the beginning of the determined student’s story.
A handful of years and surviving off stipends later, she was bent on improving her grades and brightening her future as well as the future of others. So, when the opportunity arose to attend GADRA Matric School(an education NGO in Grahamstown/Makhanda), she saw her moment to create a second chance.
Her success there got her accepted into Rhodes University where she earned a Bachelor of Social Sciences, followed by an Honours degree in Psychology. Another notch on her belt during her honours year saw her receive the Rhodes Academic Colours.
But GADRA gave her more than just a second shot at a brighter future. It also connected her with a new family, Dr Lise and Ashley Westaway who have acted as her parents since Anelisa’s days at the school.
“Anelisa personifies determination, focus, grit, and taking chances.” — Dr Ashley Westaway, Anelisa’s mentor at GADRA.
Now, the student has become the teacher. Anelisa recently finished up her PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and earmarked her third graduation.
Her dream to become a teacher is now her reality, and she’s already set to task working at Holy Cross Primary in Makhanda.
“What I enjoy the most is knowing that I am taking part in moulding and assisting young people in building their future.”—Anelisa Mfenyana.
Of her story, she went on to share:
“It feels wonderful and unbelievable at times, especially when looking back to the four years I spent in the village after matric. What kept me pushing is always wanting to be a better version of myself, pave the way for children coming after me in my family, and make my late family proud.”
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