The Journey of a Township Boy

By Dr Themba Ralph Mkhize

Contrary to the negative perceptions of townships and rural areas in South Africa, there is potential and talent in these areas that need to be identified, harnessed and supported. This book maintains that human beings, despite the conditions and environments they come from, possess the potential to dream big and achieve their dreams. The book commences by painting a picture and providing the history of Umlazi township, and discusses Themba’s schooling journey from primary to high school. His journey then takes him outside the borders of South Africa to the Northern tip of Africa, the land of the Pharaohs in Egypt, then back to Southern Africa where he travels to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Before he knows it, he finds himself across the Atlantic Ocean in the USA, the land of the free, where he lives and studies towards his Master’s degree at Michigan State University. His journey to the US enables him to spend time in Amsterdam and experience the country and its people. He discusses his experiences in Frankfurt, Germany and then his return to South Africa where he embarks on his PhD studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Themba shares his experiences while studying and completing his doctoral studies and offers suggestions for prospective PhD candidates. He shares the importance of giving back by supporting quality education and excellence in township and rural schools. The last part of the book looks at the challenges currently facing South Africa and offers possible solutions on how to steer the ship out of troubled waters. The book suggests the type of leadership required to advance the country, offers inspiration and insights, and provides tools for the youth, adults and leaders to create unlimited opportunities and instil hope.
Themba is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of South Africa, Department of Educational Foundations

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr Themba Ralph Mkhize
• Release date: Feb 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005982560

Book preview

The Journey of a Township Boy

Dr Themba Ralph Mkhize

Copyright © 2020 Themba Mkhize

Published by Themba Mkhize 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 Themba Mkhize using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Lorna King for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Themba Mkhize

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who live in and come from townships and rural areas of South Africa. The book is further dedicated to leaders, parents, teachers, and youth in South Africa, Africa and all over the world.

"Deep within man dwell those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionise his life if aroused

and put into action"

– Orison Swett Marden

Preface

When I wrote The Journey Of A Township Boy, I made a bold claim. I argued that human beings, despite the conditions and environment they come from, possess the potential to dream big and achieve their dreams. The adventures and experiences in this book really occurred to me. The idea of writing this book started a few years ago, but the opportunity to write came as I was nearing the end of my PhD studies.

Chapter 1 is the start of my journey, and paints a picture of my township life in Umlazi Township, south of Durban. Chapter 2 discusses my schooling, from primary to high school where I completed my matric. My journey takes me outside the borders of South Africa in Chapter 3 to the northern tip of Africa, the land of pharaohs in Egypt. In Chapter 4, my journey takes me to southern Africa where I travelled to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. In Chapter 5, my journey sends me across the Atlantic Ocean to the land of the free, United States of America, where I lived and studied towards my master’s degree at Michigan State University in North America. My journey to the United States enabled me to spend time in both Amsterdam and Frankfurt, experiencing those countries and their people.

In Chapter 6, my journey takes me back home to South Africa to embark on my PhD studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and I share my experiences, maintaining that we need more doctoral candidates, engineers, IT specialists and entrepreneurs from township and rural areas. Chapter 7 covers the importance of giving back and supporting quality education and excellence in township and rural schools. The last chapter points to challenges currently facing my country South Africa, and offers possible solutions on how to steer the ship out of troubled waters. This chapter further talks about the type of leadership required to advance the country.

It is hoped that my journey may inspire youth and adults from everywhere, and make important suggestions to all leaders on how to create a better world offering opportunities for all.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1. Life in My Township

Chapter 2. Schooling in My Township

Chapter 3. Township Boy in the Land of the Pharaohs

Chapter 4. Township Boy in the Mountain Kingdom

Chapter 5. Township Boy In the Land Of the Free

Chapter 6. Searching for More Knowledge

Chapter 7. Let’s Support Township and Rural Schools

Chapter 8. Steering the Ship Out of Troubled Waters

About the Author

Chapter 1

Life in My Township

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them

– Walt Disney

Upon arrival on planet earth, my parents named me Themba. On my first day at school my class teacher, Ms Msomi, informed us that the next morning each learner would stand in front of the class and explain the meaning behind our names. When school ended, I rushed home and wasted no time asking my mother the full meaning behind my name. How did I get my name Themba, and what is the meaning behind it? She was not surprised – I often caught her off guard with serious and challenging questions, but as a teacher herself she encouraged an inquisitive mind.

"Your father and I gave you the name Themba because it means hope, and it also refers to trust and to be trusted. In Sesotho your name is Tsepo. We therefore trust you will be able to lift and sustain the name of our family and community," my mother replied. This has always stayed with me. As if my parents were prophets, the name they bestowed upon me describes the person I always strive to be – to bring hope and new possibilities to those I come across. I also strive to be dependable, and understand the importance of being of service to my community and country.

Born and bred in Umlazi Township, this is where I attended primary and secondary school. Fortunately, my father was a good storyteller and always wanted his children to know the history of the township. And this is exactly why I am able to share with you how my beloved township came into existence. In a very sad but defiant voice my father narrated the history of my township…

The 1920s saw an influx of African people moving to Durban, and settling in areas like Cato Manor. In Cato Manor the Zulu community rented land from Indian market gardeners because they were prohibited by law from buying land of their own. By 1932 when Cato Manor was included into the Borough of Durban, over 600 shacks had been built on the land, making it a congested informal settlement the Zulus called Mkhumbane, named after a small stream crossing through the area.

Apartheid came into existence around the 1940s which enforced the segregation of citizens into so-called white, Bantu/African, Coloured and Asian suburbs in terms of the Group Areas Act. The Group Areas Act forced African residents living in Durban to be moved and resettled in townships, particularly in KwaMashu and later Umlazi which were, at that time, situated on the periphery of Durban. Therefore, in 1967 Umlazi was established as a black township housing African labourers who needed to work in white-owned factories and industries.

The name Umlazi comes from umlaza, the Zulu word for the sour acid produced from sour milk. In my township a story is always told by the elders that when King Shaka was passing through the area, he did not want to drink from the local river claiming it tasted of umlaza. The area was then called Umlazi after this incident relating to the King of the Zulu nation. The river starts in the south west of Pietermaritzburg at around 1 600m above sea level and flows through Chatsworth, Umlazi Township and past the old Durban Airport. It then flows through a concrete canal near Merebank and into the sea.

There are many stories about Umlazi River and its dangers. Locals tell of the pastor who conducted his baptism in Umlazi River in the early hours of the morning. Then one day, in the middle of the ceremony, a 30-year-old man fell into the river and disappeared. An intensive search yielded no results, but the next day the police found a floating body in the river. There is a belief among locals that the river sometimes has a tendency to hold on to those who have drowned, and releases them in its own time. Others believe there are crocodiles in the river that drown victims, then release them once they are satisfied that the victim is indeed dead.

Chatsworth – which is across Umlazi River – is well known for its big sweet mango fruit. As a way of deterring young boys from venturing across the river, we were always reminded of the story of a man who fell metres from the top of a mango tree, hit his head on a rock and died instantly. Apparently, the branch of the tree broke and drove the victim straight to the ground causing his imminent death. Despite the dangers of crossing the river and falling from the mango trees, as boys we couldn’t resist the temptation and thought of enjoying big juicy mangoes on our way home after our pickings.

Despite limited resources and the absence of decent amenities, Umlazi residents continued to thrive and create a decent life