I was born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Libode in a village called Marhewini. I am the last born in a family of three boys, as my name “Aphelele” implies. Many people always ask, why is your name “Angel” that’s a girl’s name? I always laugh. When my mom was pregnant she got so ill that on more than two occasions the doctors suggested she should terminate the pregnancy or the baby would be a stillborn. She refused. I was final born prematurely – at 7 months. Everyone who saw me was convinced that I wouldn’t make it, but my mother was convince that I was a unique child who is truly a blessing from God. For that reason, she named me “Angel”. Sadly, my mother passed on before I could experience her love and kindness – character traits of hers which many people in my home community tell me stories about.
Growing up I was raised by my aunt. I was always inspired by the great stories everyone told me about my mother’s passion for community development through quality education. I see now that I was genetically predisposed to my mother’s passion for teaching and learning, and her propensity for leadership capabilities. Fast forward to 2012… my high school burnt down and the whole year we studied under the trees. The school was under-resourced and we didn’t have Life Science and Agricultural Science teachers. I took it upon myself to teach my grade 11 classmates for seven months, of course with supervision of one Life Science teach that was teaching grade 12. During matric I led afternoon classes assisting in Life Science and Agricultural Science amongst my peers. The experience groomed me for the community service I now offer in Khayamandi near my university campus.
At University this was no different as I was appointed Supplementary Instructor (tutor) for Forest Management and Fire Management for two consecutive years in Nelson Mandela University 2016 – 2017. Based on my good academic potential I was selected to represent Southern Africa in Russia at the 13th International Junior Forest Contest in 2016. I was awarded a prize of special recognition in forest mechanization by the Russian Forestry Department. I was elected chairperson of the Nelson Mandela University Forestry Association and lead the hosting of the International Forestry Student Symposium in 2017.
At Stellenbosch University I was granted a rewarding opportunity to present case studies as a guest lecture in the Conservation Ecology teaching programme, covering such topics as Wildfire Management, Fire Ecology and Sustainable Timber Harvesting with 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students. Under the Stellenbosch Forestry Student Association I was elected as Postgraduate Representative and Community Relations officer. My mandate included forestry education outreaches promoting forestry as a career and Stellenbosch University as the leading institution offering forestry and forestry related higher education. Through The Small Things Fund network, and with support from Earth and Lux residence program, I have been offering tutoring and mentoring service in and around Stellenbosch schools with specific focus on under-resourced schools and community programs. Kuyasa in Khayamandi has been the focus of my service during the past two years.
Currently I am the Southern Africa regional representative through the International Forestry Student Association (IFSA). We week ago I was selected as a junior expert representing South Africa in the Experts Workshop on forest sector employment, green jobs and forest education. This is a joint global industry capacity development project, the meeting of which I attended in Bonn, Germany in November 2019.
On the 12 December 2019, I will be graduating with my MSc (Forestry and Wood Science), which I achieved CUM LAUDE. I firmly believe that my positive attitude and willingness to learn alongside with love and compassion for all that I do are the most essential qualities that makes my world a better place. Every day I meditate on the below scriptures in my pursuit for a God intended purpose of this life I live.
Matthew 5:13-16 New International Version (NIV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Small Things Fund 