My story began at Curro Bankenveld, a place that would shape me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. In the beginning, life felt stable. My dad was the steady provider and my mom was building her own business. But the foundation of our family was tested when my mom’s business collapsed. The weight of everything shifted to my dad’s shoulders and it was a tough time for our family.

​A Test of My Dreams

​During that difficult period in Grade 8, I lost my way. My dream was to become an architect, a path that required a strong foundation in maths and physics but I failed three terms in a row in grade 8. It was a wake up call, a moment of real struggle that could have ended my dream right then and there. My family, the Khesa family and the Curro community didn’t give up on me. They saw my potential when I couldn’t see it myself. They gave me extra classes and financial support helping me keep my dream alive.

​My teachers always challenged me. I remember my physics teacher asking, “How can you be the fastest boy in the whole school but always the last to submit your assignments and finish your exams?” That question was a turning point. It wasn’t an insult it was a challenge. They believed in me and their belief sparked a hunger in me. I wanted to prove to them and to myself that I could do it. I became hungry for the process, not just the result.

​From the Track to the Field

​That hunger fuelled me on the sports field as well. I became a three-time full colours athlete, reaching the Mpumalanga Championships (MUSSAS) three times in a row for 110m hurdles and 100m sprint. While I was pushing my limits on the track, I was also a Provincial Pumas Rugby player and a two-time national Curro champion with the Curro 7s team also a 3 time full colour Rugby player . The school supported me through every event and my coaches and teachers taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: “Get back on the horse, Be like nature. Be able to adapt and grow even in tough conditions.”

​A New Horizon

​That powerful lesson stuck with me. After high school, I struggled to find my footing in the world of architecture, something I had worked so hard for. In 2019, with the support and motivation of my father, I made a life changing decision to pivot my career and challenge myself in the mining industry.

​The growth I’ve experienced has been incredible. I am now a Production Foreman at Mwelase Opencast Mining Services, where they have also believed in my potential. I manage over 270 employees across four different open-pit mines, producing 280,000 tons of coal and 950,000 cubic meters of overburden every month. I directly oversee daily mining operations, ensure safety and compliance and mentor my supervisors and team.

​As I’ve progressed, my commitment to learning has never stopped. I completed my Bachelor of Commerce in Project Management while working, along with a DMRE blasting license, a national rock-breaking certificate and many other certifications. My journey continues to be about growth.

​A Legacy built on Gratitude

​Looking back, the dream wasn’t just about becoming an architect or Mining Leader. It was to touch the hearts of the people who believed in me and make them see that their belief was worth it. My family, the Khesa family and Curro believed in me and it is a testament to what’s possible when a community invests in a young person’s potential. I am honoured to carry the lessons they taught me and I hope my story can inspire others to believe in their own journey, no matter how tough the path may seem.