Orphan overcomes adversity
ALEXANDRA – Adversity fails to trap 20-year-old Alex student doctor.
Mental toughness and extra effort in education are strengths which rescued an orphaned boy from Alex from adversity which many succumb to.
The commitment is now paying off for 20-year-old Seropane Lesoka who is in his second year studying to be a medical doctor at Wits University. The dedication, Lesoka said, is also driven by a desire to carry on his mother’s passion in the healing profession albeit his being at a higher level. She abandoned a waitress job to pursue nursing and worked as a carer for an elderly couple while he was still in primary school at Dr Knack Primary School. Unfortunately,
she died not long after qualifying as a nurse following three days of an unexplainable headache. This left him alone before he could know his father. Conditions where they lived before her death also deteriorated. Luckily, a considerate uncle staying at his work premises in Edenvale took him in. But, the generosity and his presence, made things untenable for the uncle forcing him to track back to Alex to be alone and homeless but still attending school.
His unstable life didn’t detract from his above-average performance at school. Instead, it got the attention of social workers who, along with the school, recommended him to the Alex Education Committee (AEC) which took over. “They took care of my needs, transferred me from Realogile Secondary School to Highlands North Secondary School, provided food and travel allowance and, sought shelter through Barrow Construction company which provided a room at their Wynberg work premises. It’s still home for me.”
Without fail, Lesoka also attended weekend and holiday study programmes conducted by AEC at Waverley Girls High School. He credited his coping skills at this level of education to the rare generosity of the uncle who he remains in contact with, the company for the private study space, the AEC which also attached a social worker to see to his needs and, a maternal grandmother in rural Tzaneen whose wise advise still keeps him on the straight and narrow.
“Their selflessness keeps me focused, away from temptation many succumb to resulting in regrettable results.
“I obtained five distinctions in mathematics, science, biology, Afrikaans and life orientation with addition passes in English language and graphic design in matric.” Lesoka credited his foundation level education at primary and secondary education in Alex for setting the foundation. “In life, ‘it’s better to burn out than rust’ which is drawn from a Bob Dylan song in reference to grabbing and holding onto any opportunity with both hands when in hardship regardless of age.
“My mother also predicted this development before she died saying, great things were destined my way.”
Much as he is still trying to unravel her untimely death said to have been from natural causes, he has made peace with it. “Commitment to daily prayer as advised by my granny also gives me spiritual strength. I never thought I could ever be left alone but it did happen and in the process, fate strengthened my coping mechanisms and taught me, self-management and a balanced life.”
Lesoka advised those in similar or worse conditions never to submit to doom and gloom thoughts and, to never assume they are alone. “We are all made and meant for a purpose which gets fulfilled only when we believe in prayer and help from others. Commit to your education where teachers and other benefactors wait, ready to change your negative life circumstances and want to stabilise your emotional wellbeing.”
He further urged others to participate in extramural activities at school. “Join a choir and participate in sports to clear your clouded mind. Always be prepared and pray for opportunities which come unannounced. Dropping out of school should never be an option and use your weekends wisely.”
Lesoka commits to be a father figure to others. “After all, I owe my being and progress to humanity beyond the biological link.”
