Perspectives from Vula Project Workshop Participants 

Anele Hlungu – a tribute

In December 2004, we heard the very sad news that one of the Vula project participants, Anele Hlungu had been murdered by gangsters in a case of mistaken identity. Sara Boas writes:

“Anele was gentle, thoughtful and generous. I am shaken. What a harsh world these beautiful young people were born into. This really brought home to me the challenge and need for FAST’s work”

Anele Hlungu
“I am 20 years old and studying my first year at UWC (University of the Western Cape). I am one of the ASSET bursary holders. I met ASSET by attending their purposeful Saturday School.

I live in Phillipi where I did my high school studies at Sinethemba Senior Secondary School. Phillipi is an informal settlement. I live with a family of seven – my parents, three brothers and one cousin. My family is supported by my older brother, who was recently employed by the S.A.P.S. (South African Police Services)

I am one of the participants who were invited to the workshop which took place in Stellenbosch. To me that workshop was not like any other workshop. It helped me to know which leadership elements I have. That workshop made me realise that everyone was born as a leader with different elements. From that workshop I realise that I’m a leader too. Especially in my community, I am the leader of a small group against drugs for the youth of Phillipi.”

Nolundi Tshongolo
“I did my matric last year at Vuyiseka High School and attended Saturday School at St Francis. I was chosen to go to the workshop, where we learnt important things. Before we went to the workshop we were given work which included research on NGOs, asking our community leaders about their priorities in the community whether young people had a role to play. We discussed this work at the workshop. We also shared our opinions on how we could lead our communities and improve them.

We learnt about leadership and the qualities of leadership. We compared ourselves to the elements of water, fire, air and earth and learnt about their qualities. This helped me a lot because I didn’t know what qualities I had, but now I know I have leadership qualities and I have learnt how to handle people.

I told my own leaders about quality leadership and they and my friends are interested to know more. ASSET and FAST, you helped me a lot. Thank you.”

Fatima Mzinyati
“I’m doing Financial Information Systems at the Cape Technikon. I live in Khayelitsha for now, but I’m planning to get a residence at school, because I want to be close to school when I need equipment for my studies, like the computer lab and library. It is much easier to carry on with my school work, especially with the course that I’m doing. It concentrates more on computers.

I was lucky to get a bursary from ASSET; otherwise I wouldn’t be studying now because of financial problems at home. My dream is to be successful because I grew up poor, meaning I didn’t get everything I wanted and my family couldn’t assist me financially with my studies. But being poor didn’t stop me from getting educated because I knew what I wanted and I believe in myself. I also grew up in an environment knowing that the only way to get what you want is to study.

My family and friends motivated me and I’m also doing the same for those I know. I like motivating people, meeting new people and making new friends. Because of ASSET I was given a chance to go to the workshop. It really opened my mind because I discovered there were lots of things I didn’t know about the career I had chosen for myself.

The workshop was fantastic. I got the chance of getting to know other people and myself. I learnt a lot. We shared different ideas and combined them because sometimes we had to be in groups. Everything was just perfect – the people, the venue, the environment and the food. The one thing I loved was being out and having a good time learning. The workshop was just a weekend, but the way I’ve learnt, it seemed to be a whole month.

There are few people who are given opportunities like these, but the one thing you have to know is not to hesitate when you are given a chance. When you are given opportunities in life, you have to grab them and not look back.”

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