My Name is Thabane Mark Matyityilili. Born in Cape Town, Western Cape. I am turning 23 years of age this year. I have 5 siblings and 3 nieces. I still have both parents, but they have pensioned and live in the Eastern Cape. I attended primary school at Oranjekloof Morvian and high school at Hout Bay High in Hout Bay, Cape Town. When growing up I was living in a township called IY.
IY stands for Imizamo Yethu, literally meaning ‘our struggles’. The land had been given to our parents after they had been moved away from the squatter camps in Hangburg. And they arrived in a land occupied by trees and no roads. Our parents named it then Imizamo Yethu when they established the area and started to build shack houses and make it a location to house their families. Growing up, yes we were not much fortunate with much resources. In our culture we understand each other very much, because we all live in one community and are less fortunate to prosperous life. That’s what makes us united and speak the same language. If one is in need we are always there to help, e.g. if one needs sugar we are able to share to close the gap to him/her. IY to me is a place of hopeful, multi talented people. We never look at the circumstance of poverty but are willing to live a life that shines towards each other at most times. We know IY is surrounded by beautiful and multi million houses. We do dream of them as well. Education has played a big role mostly to us as youth to be dedicated into and see ourself prosperous one day and hopefully buy those houses and cars we dream of.
I graduated from high school in 2015, and I had a lot to think about as my career path. I came Theology was my first choice, because I felt the calling to work among the people. Definitely theology fitted my goal and purpose of what God has assigned me to do. The calling I am strongly affiliated with is Mission and Teaching. In 2016 I went to Tertiary at the Union Bible Institute in Pietermaritzburg. During my three years at the college it has been a transformational life for me. Because I have developed more interest into knowing about the studies and devoted myself fully into the studies. In 2018 I completed my degree in Theology. With so much love for the studies, I am currently doing honours in Theology at Baptist Theological Serminary of Southern Africa in Johannesburg. Then afterwards I will do PGCE, one year course in Teaching. No one in my family has furthered his/her education, I am the first graduate of the family. Passion, persistence and endurance have driven me to where I am today. Poverty has taught me to be hungry for success in my life. To be where I am today, it was through Teachers For Africa as a sponsor. I met the people of Teachers for Africa Foundation when I was a young student in primary school and the contact between them and me stayed throughout my young life. My words cannot express how thankful I am to God for them.
