NMMU student Nandipha Jack (23) has been selected as the flagbearer for all NMMU students. A final year Public Management student and A-side netball player, she is working hard to graduate this year and has applied to do her Honours next year.
Nandipha has been selected for a number of reasons, best described by these quotes from her:
“I am from New Brighton in Port Elizabeth. Money is very scarce in my community and in my family. I could easily have been one of the students who could not complete their final year.”
“Netball and getting into NMMU has been my way of creating a better life and future for myself and family. I was fortunate to be awarded a sports bursary in my first year and I am now on NSFAS funding.”
“Many of the young women in my community get caught up in socialising, drinking, drugging and falling pregnant at a young age. I managed to take a different path and that I am proud that I am regarded as the person from our community who made it to university. That is why it so important for me to graduate.”
“I have Nontobeko Natyu, my first netball coach in New Brighton, to thank for introducing me to the sport when I was nine years old. She taught me discipline and focus, and was a second mother to me, alongside my beloved Aunt, Pumla Jack, who raised me as her own and with whom I continue to live in New Brighton, with my three younger siblings.”
“When I first came to NMMU I was very shy and unsure but the netball team embraced me and I have enjoyed such wonderful friendship from everyone in the netball team, including our manager and coach. They are my second family and they have taught me to be myself and believe in myself. One day I would like to start a foundation called Black Girls Matter to help young girls from disadvantaged communities to believe in themselves and achieve their goals in life through sport and education.”
I am very appreciative of the opportunity to join the #trailblaze to Machu Picchu, but I am more excited about achieving the goal of helping other students to graduate. I feel the Lord is acting through me to achieve this.”