A second chance and two oceans!

I am so blessed to have been afforded a second chance in life. Thanks to TSIBA Business School I will finally have the opportunity to not only survive in the real working world but I am able to compete. I am eternally grateful. I wish to also thank all the students for helping me and standing by me on this fantastic journey.

I am an older student and grew up on the poverty-stricken Cape Flats, Cape Town, in South Africa where I suffered a life of alcoholism and drugs for 25 years like so many others in the area. My story is a story of hope however because I changed my life around for the better three years ago and have been sober ever since.

When I started my journey of changing my life from addiction and despair I set specific goals for myself in order to keep me on the right track. One of my goals was to get an education and I am currently in my final year of a Business degree, achieving the dean's list along the way.

Another goal was to become physically healthy, so I set myself the goal of running the Comrades (91 km ultra-marathon) one day. This started as a joke, however, but soon became very serious the more I spoke about it and realized that anything that you put your mind on, is possible.

On the 15th of April 2023, I will be running the 56 km Ultra Two Oceans marathon which is a major milestone in my mission of completing the Comrades one day. I wish to pay it forward and spread the message that there is always hope and that anything is possible in life for people.

For 25 years I was stuck in a very dark and hopeless place but managed to rise above my circumstances with some help and direction. I believe my story could encourage others to be victorious and give them the courage to overcome their adversities.

I was hoping that you could come out and support me on the day. It would be great to see my fellow students by my side, giving me the strength to get across the line. I can't do this alone...