Cameron Lokhai

Thinking back to my freshman year in 2013 summons up mixed emotions — emotions that I have long wanted to forget. Emotions of hopelessness, anxiety, and despair supersede the emotions of excitement and happiness.

I was born in Durban to parents who could barely eke out a living to sustain the family, yet a great emphasis was placed on education. I recall fond memories of having to travel every two weeks to the library by bus to borrow books. I loved to read, and it was encouraged by my folks.

My childhood was entwined in a tapestry of faith, hard work, and prayer. I attended the local church religiously and was blessed spiritually and materially by the congregation.

I had strived to excel at school academically and ran a part-time business doing odd jobs for my neighbours, as well as mending clothes and making other alterations on my trusty Empisal sewing machine, which was given to me by a friend. That helped me earn pocket money and made life a little easier for my sister, who required clothes and other essentials.

Thinking back to this, I can truly say that God had placed many people in my path to help me, and I was blessed by such individuals.

During my matric year, my LO teacher brought us CAO university application forms. I knew I wanted to be a teacher to follow in the footsteps of my role model, Roz Wilson. I remember taking a taxi after school, posting the application form at the post office, and paying the fees from my own pocket. This was a leap of faith, and I believed God would help me secure a bursary. I received an offer a week later from UKZN, Edgewood.

Fast forward, I managed to get a job in December of my matric year in 2012 at a bookshop, and this helped me pay my registration fees of R3500 for the start of my university journey.

I remember entering the gates of UKZN, Edgewood, fascinated by the diversity of students and the array of top-notch facilities. But a feeling of sadness and fear ate at me daily thereafter. How would I pay for my tuition fees? I was declined funding and had tried talking to the financial officials to no avail.

I excelled academically, yet I was unable to view my results because of non-payment of fees. When my friends asked me about my marks, I always made them up. I was a young man, talented but without the financial resources to make headway in my studies. I prayed and trusted God and sometimes fought my inner demons as to why I had to suffer the atrocities of poverty.

I used hand-me-down clothes, which I customised and altered, and I carried myself with dignity and pride, but inside, I was a mess. A mess because I knew my freshman year at UKZN would end, and I would probably have to work somewhere in a job I would hate, and my life would be fruitless.

I participated in many activities the university offered, and I was well-known amongst my peers. Even though I was not able to see my marks, the system did show me that I had obtained the Dean’s commendation for both semesters of 2013. The year ended, and I had no idea what I would do the following year. I owed the university R22,500.

That December and January were the hardest times of my life. I prayed daily and was frustrated. I knew I would have to find a job and earn a living so that I could ease the financial burdens at home. It was during one of my prayer sessions on my knees that I received a text from Roz Wilson, stating I had a meeting with Christian Outreach Trust as YES Trust was called back then. I didn’t take much notice of it and just collated my school reports, assessments, and a printout of my academic record, which didn’t show any marks besides the Dean’s commendation titles for both semesters.

On the day of the meeting, I was sad yet hopeful. I had never heard of this organisation, and I did not prepare for the interview. I knew that the Lord would give me the words to utter in my hour of need. It was then that I met the phenomenal Mr. Selwyn Comrie and Sandy Simms. These people, together with Roz Wilson, are my guardian angels.

The interview went well, and Mr. Comrie was impressed with my certificate from the Rotary Club. My drive to jump on any opportunity provided during my schooling year helped me gain favour. My assessments and reports spoke volumes, but would this organisation really help me? Would I be able to attend university again and make something of my life? Would I have to spend years in a job if I didn’t get a degree and earn a meagre salary?

Even as I write this, I thank God for his favour. Christian Outreach Trust agreed to pay my fees and my registration for the academic year of 2014. I was so ecstatic. I promised Mr. Comrie I would do my best and would give him updates monthly about my progress. The shackles of financial struggle had been broken, and I felt emancipated. I could study without fear and anxiety. I pushed myself and did my best.

I received an academic bursary from the University, as well as the much-coveted Funza Lushaka bursary from the government in my final two years. The university then went paperless, and it was a requirement to get a laptop. Once again, Christian Outreach Trust came to my rescue.

I eventually graduated with my Bachelor of Education Degree – Cum Laude. That was the happiest day of my life. I would go on to work at a public school and cater to the needs of indigent children. I used to teach these children at Sunday school during my university years, and now I was their homeroom teacher. Every Sunday during my first three years of teaching, I remained a Sunday School teacher as well.

I served the South African Department of Education for five and a half years until I decided I would like to teach abroad.  I applied, and I moved to the United Arab Emirates in September 2022.

I had made a success of my life because of people who believed in me and who saw my worth. I was able to travel, experience fine things and meet new people all because of holding a degree which could have not been possible because of the circumstances I was born into.

I will forever be indebted to Mr. Comrie and the YES Trust.  This organisation deserves to get more recognition from the government because I am certain there are many people like me, full of passion to shape the country but shackled by a financial crisis that sees them not finishing their degrees or going to bed hungry at the university residences because the NSFAS stipend is not enough for sustenance.