Bornfree Profile: Ndivhuwo from Makhado, Limpopo

 

Welcome to our awesome series of interviews with Bornfrees! We'll be highlighting the stories of Bornfrees from all around South Africa and are keen to hear from YOU if you were born into freedom - make contact through our email bornfrees18@gmail.com

Today we meet Ndivhuwo from Limpopo:

Tell us who you are and where you're from, and staying currently.
My name is Ndivhuwo Gededja and I am from Limpopo, a town called Makhado and livig in a village called Tshiozwi.

What are you doing currently (eg. attending school, working etc) and tell
us more about that
I am still at Tshiozwi, but I will start studying in June at Unisa in Pretoria.

Who is the most important person in your life and why?
The most important person in my life is my mom because she motivates me to work hard, know my studies and as a single parent she provides everything for me and my brothers.

Do you have any role models and what do you admire in them?
My role model is Oprah Winfrey because she hard working lady who loves to help people.

What do you think is the benefit of being a Bornfree
The advantage of been a Bornfree is I can able to what I love and able get any job that i love

Are there any negative aspects of being a Bornfree

I don't think of any disadvantage of being a bornfree

What dream do you have for yourself, or a goal you want to achieve?
I want to study international relations because I love to be solving problems: they could be about political, economical and media problems and I love travelling. My goal is that one day I can become an ambassador.

What message would you share with other Bornfrees?
The message to all bornfrees is that let's work hard in our studies so that South Africa can be better place in the world

Bornfree Profile: Vuyiswa from Rustenburg

Welcome to our awesome series of interviews with Bornfrees! We'll be highlighting the stories of Bornfrees from all around South Africa and are keen to hear from YOU if you were born into freedom - make contact through our email bornfrees18@gmail.com

Today we meet Vuyiswa who lives in Rustenburg in the North West Province:   

Tell us who you are and where you're from, and staying currently

I'm Pennelope Vuyiswa Mokuoa. I'm from North West at Rustenburg, living in village called Luka.

Who do you live with and where?

I'm living with my late mom's family (my grandmother, my two mother's sisters and my mom's young brother) and my second brother.

What are you doing currently (eg. attending school, working etc) and tell us more about that

I'm attending school at Tlhabane complex: it's an upgrading private school. I'm going to upgrade my physical science because I didn't do well in it but I did pass my Matric well.

Who is the most important person in your life and why?

The most important person in my life is my grandmother because she raised me after losing my mom on 06 September 2004. She guided me through evil and loved me for who I am, rather than who I might turn out to be. She gave me all I could ask in a mother. She makes sure that I have something to eat, I have clothes to wear at home and at school. She used her grant money to make me live like other children till today.

I am who I am and a good young woman today because of her. Her rules will always be the keys I use to open the doors of happiness, her classes. I salute my grandmother.

Do you have any role models and what do you admire in them?

My mom and my three brothers are my role models. My mom is my role model because she taught me of how to be a young, strong, independent woman. She was my queen without a crown, one who taught me how to take care of myself and respect myself and everyone I meet before she passed away. She taught me that if I want to be somebody, if I want to go somewhere I better wake up and pay attention.

My brothers are also my role models because they didn't give up on me after losing our mother, they took me in their lives as their own. They brought light in my life because I was living a dark life always telling myself that I m nothing in this world. They showed me ways to live like normal children who have both parents. They taught me never to care about my past because only the future can determine where I come from and also to treasure my dignity and find passion where no one else can. For the past 7 years they've been there for me through good and bad days and they make sure that I go to school every day and I produce something at the end of the day. I'm a strong young woman because of them till today. I thank these four people every day I wake up because they guided me through storms. They are my best friends

What do you think is the benefit of being a Bornfree

The benefit of a bornfree is to bring light (changes) to those who live in a dark zones(difficult life).

Are there any negative aspects of being a Bornfree

I don't believe that there are negative aspects of being a bornfree

 

What's your idea of a perfect day?

My idea of a perfect day is to wake up and tell myself that "it's time to go forward, no matter the downs I have been through, no matter the hardships. I'm going forward with my dreams and will do all the best to sustain them and I will work hard for them to became true" (words that keeps me strong).That's why my mom once said "if I you want to be somebody if you want to go somewhere you better wake up and pay attention so that when something bad comes around I should be prepared to fight back"....

What dream do you have for yourself, or a goal you want to achieve?

I want to explore so many in life but most importantly I want to bring something back to my family by going to varsity and bring something back home that is worth my life (being a social worker and a poetress) to make them more proud.

 

What message would you share with other Bornfrees?

My message to the Bornfrees is be yourself and beat your own drum. Never dance to someone's music but your own. Just be yourself and never try to be someone you not. Have your own drives, your own struggles but never back down. Keep a smile on your face even if hurts to. Don't care about your past because only the future can determine where you come from.

Treasure your dignity and find passion where no one else can. Be passionate and never back down because quitters never win and winners never quit. Be who you are and never change to suit anyone else.

Bornfree Profile: Claire from Johannesburg

Welcome to our awesome series of interviews with Bornfrees! We'll be highlighting the stories of Bornfrees from all around South Africa and are keen to hear from YOU if you were born into freedom - make contact through our email bornfrees18@gmail.com

Today we meet Claire who lives in Johannesburg:  

Tell us who you are and where you're from, and staying currently

Hello, my name is Claire Bristow. I am 18 years old (born on the 13^th June 1994) I am currently living in the South of Johannesburg where I have lived my whole life.

 

Who do you live with and where?

I live with my parents and older brother (21) in a quiet neighbourhood in the South of Johannesburg.

 

What are you doing currently (eg. attending school, working etc) and tell us more about that

As of this week Thursday (31 January 2013), I will be attending Wits University where I will be doing a BA – majoring in Psychology.

Who is the most important person in your life and why?

I don’t have one important person in my life... I am surrounded by the most amazing friends and family who are all very important to me.

My parents have to be the most incredible parents on this planet, they always support me in whatever I choose to do and have always been there for me. My brother is my other half, we may fight but I couldn’t have asked for a better brother.

My friends are always there to pick me up when I am down; they are there with me through the good, the bad and the horrible times. I am very lucky to be surrounded with my friends and family, they are all very important to me and I am grateful to have them in my life.

Do you have any role models and what do you admire in them?

There are so many influential people in my lives (from presidents all the way down to family members), I could name them and talk about them but the most important role model is the one closest to my heart – my grandmother.

My grandmother has to be one of the bravest and strongest ladies I know. Over the past 15 years my grandmother has been through a great deal (losing her husband, numerous operations, stroke...) and has managed to get through it all with a smile on her face. My grandmother has taught me to never give up when the going gets tough because with God, all things are possible. I am very blessed to have a role model such as my grandmother.

 

What do you think is the benefit of being a Bornfree

We as Bornfrees are able to live in a country where any race/gender is able to; get equal education, able to vote and have access to proper healthcare. Being a Bornfree has given us the benefit of being equal to our neighbour despite our racial and/or gender differences.

Are there any negative aspects of being a Bornfree

We are constantly being reminded of apartheid and everything bad that happened due to apartheid, we are not able to develop properly as Bornfrees because of the ghosts of our parent’s/grandparent’s past. I am not saying that apartheid must be forgotten and parents must not educate their children but there is a time and place for everything.

 

Us as bornfrees know that we are very lucky to not have lived through apartheid and to be living in a democratic country, so let us reap from the benefits to ensure that something like apartheid doesn’t happen again.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

My idea of a perfect day would be a movie day with my friends. On a rainy day (I love rain); hire some DVDs, order Pizza, make hot chocolate, grab a few blankets and have a chick flick day with my girls.

What dream do you have for yourself, or a goal you want to achieve?

In 6 years time I hope to be a qualified Educational psychologist. I also want to continue my community service and maybe even start my own community project.

What message would you share with other Bornfrees?

There is nothing standing in our way to achieve what we want to achieve. There is no blaming apartheid for not achieving your goals; work hard and you can do whatever you want to do.

We are very lucky to have been born into a democracy so take full advantage of it. We are the future of this country; don’t let everyone who fought for their and our rights down so work hard and don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of your dreams.

Keep in touch with Claire on @ClaireyFairy101

Bornfree Profile: Thandolwethu from Pietermaritzburg

Welcome to our awesome series of interviews with Bornfrees! We'll be highlighting the stories of Bornfrees from all around South Africa and are keen to hear from YOU if you were born into freedom - make contact through our email bornfrees18@gmail.com

Today we meet Thandolwethu originally from Komatipoort but staying in Pietermaritzburg:

 

Tell us who you are and where you're from, and staying currently.

I'm Thandolwethu Jele my friends call me Jeleza. I was born on the 24th of August 1994 at Shongwe Hospital. I'm from Block C, Komatipoort. Currently I reside at Pietermaritzburg because It's where I'll be furthering my studies for the next 3 years.


Who do you live with and where?

If I'm not with my mates at school, I live with my Grandfather and my cousins at Block C, Komatipoort


What are you doing currently (eg. attending school, working etc) and tell us more about that

I'm soon to be a first year student at UKZN. It's a very thrilling feeling that in a few weeks I'll be in a very spacious environment meeting new people and doing everything on my own. it is one moment I can not wait to live.


Who is the most important person in your life and why?

I have a list of very important people in my life, my Family and Friends, all of them play a vital role in my well being and proper development. Life is just greater with a lot of hearts wishing you well. My Aunt, who is also my mother in different ways, is one of the many people in the list of the most important people in my life. She is amazing, loving, caring and precious.


Do you have any role models and what do you admire in them?

Well, I don't really have a specific role model. There are a lot of positive, influential and inspiring people that I admire, for different reasons of course.

There was once a scientist called Rosalind Franklin. I admire her never-dying findings and research regarding The DNA.
I also admire the Late Rosa Parks for her powerful activism for human rights.


What do you think is the benefit of being a Bornfree

There are now many opportunities for all people regarding education. We as bornfrees have access to free health care and education, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education.


Are there any negative aspects of being a Bornfree

Most bornfrees want to be spoon fed all the time. They lack the drive to be independent and responsible. Most of them are not goal driven because they expect all things to be for free, both now and in the future.


What's your idea of a perfect day?

A cool day, not too hot or too cloudy. Good food, Good entertainment with lots of fun, laughter and games.


What dream do you have for yourself, or a goal you want to achieve?

After all my years of studying in the fields of biological science and agricultural science I want to be a qualified Veterinarian in the end.

I want to travel the world, explore nature and help develop the community I came from.


What message would you share with other Bornfrees?

Never let anyone belittle you because you are young! Live Free, Do all things good, respect others, appreciate all that you have, value life and best of all Do unto others as you'd want them to do unto to you! Always take care!

To keep in touch:
@JELLEWOOD on Twitter

Bornfree Profile: Sphe from Durban

Welcome to our awesome series of interviews with Bornfrees! We'll be highlighting the stories of Bornfrees from all around South Africa and are keen to hear from YOU if you were born into freedom - make contact through our email bornfrees18@gmail.com

 

Today we meet Sphe from Durban:

 

 

Tell us who you are and where you're from, and staying currently

My name is Sphe Ndwandwe, an 18-year old female born on 18 June 1994. I grew up in Glencoe but now I currently stay in Durban, both in KwaZulu Natal.

 

 

Who do you live with and where?

I live with my mother, father, older sister, younger brother, niece and nephew in Sea View, Durban.

 

 

What are you doing currently (eg. attending school, working etc) and tell us more about that

I was doing Matric at Durban Girls' College and now I anxiously await the 29th of December when we get our results.

 

 

Who is the most important person in your life and why?

God is the most important 'person' (if I can call Him that) in my life. He is my everything and I completely depend on and trust Him. Through the great and tough times He's been there for me and with me and I can honestly say there is none like Him.

 

 

Do you have any role models and what do you admire in them?

I don't have a specific person I can say is my role model because I try to live my life God's way, the way He says we ought to live in His Word.

 

 

What do you think is the benefit of being a Bornfree

The opportunities we have got for being Bornfrees are countless! Being in the group that was in grade 1 in 2001, grade 2 in 2002 all the way to matric 2012 sets us apart from the other years. As Bornfrees we are special and unique and the world is our oyster!

 

 

Are there any negative aspects of being a Bornfree

As with everything there are always positives as well as negatives. I would say that since we are Bornfrees many of us take for granted just how much was sacrificed so we could live in a democratic country and be Bornfrees. And so we don't really appreciate what we have as much as we're meant to. All we generally do is complain instead of appreciate. And we tend to often do what we want and claim it's our right when we are actually overdoing things. We forget how much was done for us to get those rights we so willingly throw around unnecessarily.

 

 

What's your idea of a perfect day?

For me a perfect day would be one spent with my friends donating blood and doing anything else as long as we do it together

 

 

What dream do you have for yourself, or a goal you want to achieve?

I would love to do well in matric then complete my degree - BSc (Software Development) at Rhodes and get a good paying job and have a great husband and some kids. I would like to achieve everything that God placed me on this earth to achieve. Everything that is in His plan for my life!

 

 

What message would you share with other Bornfrees?

It is important that we appreciate the things people do for us no matter how small and as Bornfrees we should be the change we want to see in the world.

Bornfree Profile: Shango from Waterval, Limpopo

Welcome to our awesome series of interviews with Bornfrees! We'll be highlighting the stories of Bornfrees from all around South Africa and are keen to hear from YOU if you were born into freedom - make contact through our email bornfrees18@gmail.com

Today we meet Shango who hails from the beautiful Waterval in Limpopo:

Tell us who you are and where you're from, and staying currently

I'm Shango Molemo Ramabulana, I was born in 1994 on the 7th of July, I love comedies and animations, my favourite music genre is Metalcore, I wear my watch on my right hand, my favourite countries are South Africa, Britain and Australia, I love tea.

Who do you live with and where?
I'm from Limpopo Waterval and that's where I'm currently staying, I live with my 3 Brothers, mom and my dad,

What are you doing currently and tell us more about that
I'm a secondary student at Waterval high, doing my matric , well, I'm actually waiting for my results, which are due the 3rd of January 2013,

Who is the most important person in your life and why?
The most important person in my life are my family, I know it was suppose to be an individual as in one person, some of us don't work like that.

Do you have any role models and what do you admire in them?
I have no role models, I don't do such.

What do you think is the benefit of being a Bornfree
The benefit of being a bornfree is that I don't get to hear gunshots, I've never heard one, I last heard one in a movie, and I don't have to run awat from frisky bull dogs and whips, I get everything I want.

Are there any negative aspects of being a Bornfree
The negative aspect of being a bornfree is being stuck in a country which is politically umstable, corruption, and worst of all "BEE"

What's your idea of a perfect day?
My idea of a perfect day is listening to my favourite band- Asking Alexandria, Memphis May Fire, Of Mice And Men, Bring Me The Horizon, Capture The Crown, Enter Shikari, Woe Is Me, BBC, watch the Jeremy Kyle Show, have any many cups of tea as I can, watch comedies with my brother, make jokes, and gain 1000+ Twitter followers

What dream do you have for yourself, or a goal you want to achieve?
A dream for myself or what I want to achieve is to become a lawyer, and to have a rock band as a lead vocalist.

What message would you share with other Bornfrees?

A message I would share with other Bornfrees is that they shouldn't live fast and die fast just to have a good looking corpse, Avoid drinking and smoking if you don't, if you do, try dealing with your habit.

Can't judge you because I haven't tried any of those things (drinking and smoking) and live for success, make yourself the centre of your life, laugh as much as you can, stay happy, stay fit, and be aware of the political state of South Africa, it's mortifying, respect your elders, travel and make as many friends as you can, learn to believe in yourself.

BORNFREES → "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

My Twitter and Instagram handle is @dropdead_emo, go follow. Visit and follow http://www.ramabulanasm.tumblr.com