Family Profiles Mngadi Family
Profile: Mngadi Family
This is a delightful family that Carolyn knows more than the others because she is sponsoring education for the 2 youngsters, Mantombi and her brother Ntuthuko, and mentoring them. How did Carolyn choose? It was all about the angels and destiny!
Nomvula
Nomvula is the eldest at 25 years and cares for her 5 siblings in their 4 roomed mud house. They work hard to keep the house under good repair and it is comfy and spotless.
As you can imagine mud walls erode pretty fast in the rain and so regular repair is vital and hard and messy work.
Nomvula sacrificed her education to care for her dying mom and the family. Mom died 2 years ago of AIDS related illness; drug resistant TB.
Nomvula sadly lost an infant to drug resistant TB after mom died; lots for a young woman to carry.
Nomvula luckily is in a good loving relationship with Mtobisi who rents a room close by in another mud house. He works as he can and is able to help the family. They call themselves married until such time he can afford the lobola (marriage fee).
They don’t intend having any children at this stage on account of the situation as it is; can’t afford another mouth to feed.
Nomvula completed grade 10 with then old curriculum and has signed up for night school to try and complete her education; she wants to become a nurse.
Her dream aside from nursing is to have a new brick house with 6 or 7 rooms and new furniture.
Zanele
Zanele is 23 years, in grade 12 at the local high school and a new mother; her baby was born in September. This unfortunately meant that she couldn’t write grade 12 trail exams and it seems is struggling to keep up. The father of the child supports expenses for the baby.
Zanele likes to read. We chatted about her joining the library.
Her hopes are to complete grade 12 and find a dream job so that she can have a bright future. She would like to be a policewoman or a traffic officer.
Andile
Andile is 20 and writing grade 12 at the local high school. He is a gentle sweet and quiet fellow, always pleasant and upbeat. He speaks good English and studies hard. He is doing well at school and maths and languages are good and he loves learning about tourism and travel.
He enjoys playing cricket and volleyball.
He is involved in community service as a TB educator, a volunteer position making house visits educating families about TB with all the relevant information.
His dream is to become an educated person and have a good job so that he can support his family. He wants to study tourism so that he can be a tour guide.
Tragically Andile was murdered the night following his 21st birthday in June 2009
Smanga
Smanga is 19 and also writing grade 12 at the local high school. He too is a gentle and kind soul, upbeat and enthusiastic. He plays cricket and is on the school team, he also enjoys volleyball. He likes swimming and reading, music and attends concerts if he can and outdoor hiking when the opportunity arises.
He is a peer leader, trained to discuss HIV/AIDS and the use of illegal drugs. There are 4 of them going class to class discussing these vital two topics, educating their peers.
His dream is to be a social worker, working in an impoverished community in the rural areas. He wants to use his potential to make the world a better place for all.
Ntuthuko
Ntuthuko is 13 years and completing grade 7 at the local Slangspruit Public Primary School. He loves learning and has an endless curiosity. He is smart, gets good marks at school and is full of energy and always hopeful. He has a sunny disposition, listens well and has many friends.
He is also a leader as his passion for and expertise in Zulu dance has him as a lead dancer. His team has won inter city competitions.
He is also an avid soccer player playing for the local team.
His dream is to be a doctor at the hospital one day to help people and make them well.
He holds honesty in high esteem and strives for this quality in himself; and this has also been Carolyn's experience of him.
Read more about these two sibling...
Nomathemba (Mantombi)
Mantombi is 12 years and holding Zanele’s baby; her niece. She is completing grade 6 at the local Slangspruit Public Primary School.
She is quite introspective and keeps her own counsel; is also strong and determined, alert, attentive, smart and likes to learn. She is also as her second name suggests; Pretty Girl!
She plays netball at school and loves to swim and dance the cha-cha.
She dreams of training as a nurse one day so that she can take care of people and help them. She also dreams of a nice brick house with her own bed and nice furniture.