Rediscovering The Right Path

By Sandisele Nkwinti

This true-life story of Sandisele Nkwinti, gives in-depth insight into the challenges of growing up in a small town in South Africa, namely Makhanda (Grahamstown), in the Eastern Cape.

From a young age, Sandisele was very fond of his studies and did very well but during his last year of high school things changed for the worst threatening his completion of studies and his future.

As a rebellious teenager going through conflicting emotions, he didn’t make it easy for himself as he often wronged his loved ones. Being raised in a religious family, and quickly becoming the black sheep of the family, his faith was tested.

This book is thus a dedication to Sandisele’s family and youth at large with the hope that his family forgives him for all those wrong deeds of the past and that the youth, especially those in matric, learn from him and unlearn the common mistakes made in order to make more informed decisions about their lives.

There is also a gift for those who make it to first year university; the last chapter is for them. Words of wisdom are shared by a phenomenal woman named Sinalo Ggunu, providing the "all you need to do" for you to succeed in university.

Take a sneak peek into this life: the challenges, the friends – old and new, the love life and the impact of positivity.

Everything else you need to know about the author is on the last pages in an interview conducted by Nandipha Maliti.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandisele Nkwinti
• Release date: Aug 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005641245

Book preview

Rediscovering

The

Right

Path

The Autobiography of

Sandisele Nkwinti

…a teenager’s story of triumphing over mistakes

Copyright © 2020 Sandisele Nkwinti

Published by Sandisele Nkwinti Publishing at Smashwords

First edition 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Sandisele Nkwinti using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Teagan Edwards for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Sandisele Nkwinti

[e-mail]

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the youth at large, to those who have been hit by life in various ways. To those who have been living a good life not bound or hampered by many obstacles, may it remain untainted. I hope this book inspires you (every reader) to persevere through life, regardless of the circumstances. Every obstacle you face that hampers you, will pass. There are many people, specifically brothers and sisters, who have been in the same situation but may have felt as if it were overwhelming. There are even people who have experienced more difficult situations than you have and, guess what? Almost all these people have succeeded in life. Time flew in front of their very own eyes. It is easy for one to say, ‘life is unfair’. Yes, that’s right, I understand but what are you doing about that? This is about the survival of the fittest, don’t just sit down and expect things to come your way. Mankind is meant to be challenged and we ought to prosper if we have some sense of belief in ourselves. You are centre stage, viewing your life from a distance, past and present, as if you are at a cinema alone, watching it. Somehow you cannot fast-forward to your future because you are shaping it at the present moment. Our biggest mistake is that we are too excited for what we believe is coming our way, that we don’t give ourselves time to see where we have gone wrong. We need to reflect on the choices we have made to ensure that we do not run in circles, repeating our mistakes ignorantly. I have also done many things that I regret still today, but I continue to find joy within myself. I am proud to say that I have learnt from my mistakes and I really don’t regret them as they made me see through a different spectrum when looking at my life.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

1. Settling in at My New School

2. That One Girl

3. The Camp

4. The Matric Jacket

5. Failing Exams

6. Proving the Point

7. Getting a Grip

8. Harvesting Never Felt that Good

9. New Path

Q&A with the Author

Acknowledgements

If it wasn’t for my parents, this book would not exist. Where are my manners? I am a creation of Michael and Thozama Nkwinti ooNqarhwane, ooZiduli, ooHintsabe, ooHlab’ilawu (clan praise). My appreciation cannot be portraited through words. They are simply amazing, and I love them more than anything that exists. I have wronged them so many times that I felt like a complete disappointment, and I am truly sorry for everything I put them through. Their love has been consistent, unconditional and boundless. They have aged over the years but my dream is that they receive my apology through this book before they no longer grace this earth. I want them to know that their endless love and continuous guidance in life is greatly appreciated.

Chapter 1

Settling in at My New School

I was sitting in the lounge watching television when I heard the phone ringing. I had not received calls in a while. I picked it up and answered as soon as I could. I was greeted by a strong, broad male voice, it was Mr. Bikitsha, the clerk of the school I had applied to. The call was to confirm my acceptance at Ntsika Secondary School for my grade 11 year. At that moment one could swear that I had won the lottery, as I was running up and down the house filled with excitement. It felt as if the excitement itself was playfully teasing me. The whole family was overjoyed for me, but bear in mind I was not accepted at a Model C school, just a regular public school. You are probably wondering, then what is special about this school? Why did I start there in grade 11? Don’t worry, you will find out soon. I even drank a glass of water to calm myself down a bit before I told my parents where I was going. Yes, that’s right, in a black family you don’t just storm out of the yard without telling anyone. I ran madly out of the gate like I would never run again. I ran from Xolani, my location, uphill to Nombulelo High School where I reached my destination within 20 minutes. I went straight to the school admin office to fetch my transfer letter. This sudden shift made me feel like I had just made a winning move in a chess game. CHECKMATE!

Don’t misunderstand me, I seriously do not take my previous school for granted at all especially since I passed well at the end of my grade 10 year. My soul was just not there, and I was consistently hungry for something else, something more challenging. I bought the school uniform over the weekend and on Monday, I knew I was going to be at my new school. During Sunday night, I started having doubts. I was not sure about this move anymore. I had goose bumps, as everything was suddenly happening so fast. I felt exhausted and before I realised it, it was Monday morning. Someone shouted above me "PHAKAMA UVUKE SANDISELE!" (waking me up). As usual, it was my mother, my very own personal