Courageous Criselda is passionate about people

Criselda Kananda is proud to be a Unisa student

Proud to be a Unisa student, Criselda Kananda, Metro FM talk-show host and businessperson, talks about life and her studies.

Q: Tell us what makes you have the courage to wake up every day?
A: I wake up every day saying “Yes” to life and knowing that, whatever the outcome, I’m living my best life.

Q: What are you teaching your daughters from your own experiences?
A: As a mother, I believe God has entrusted me with my children’s development. I therefore do all possible to be a godly role-model for my daughters.

Q: Are you always as bubbly as we see you in the media?
A: If I were, I would not be human, as life has two sides and I experience them all and take them in my stride. I have learnt that with God as my strength I can even smile when the going is tough.

Q: What gets you down?
A: People who lie and cheat. The number of people who are homeless and live in abject poverty is beyond comprehension considering there are enough resources to rid our country of this ill.

Q: Why did you decide to study?
A: I’ve always been a student of life and, as I challenge policies that don’t benefit the wellbeing of humanity, it’s always more convincing when you back it with a title.

Q: Why did you choose the field of human ecology?
A: I influence human behaviour, therefore understanding what makes people behave the way they do will help advance my course as a wellness and social entrepreneur.

Q: Does your choice of study have anything to do with the social setup in South Africa?
A: Yes and no. I am aiming to challenge international decision-making bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Q: What have you found out about SA from your studies?
A: We are such a curative state, and we need to urgently change that to focus more on prevention. We need to instil a culture of healthy eating patterns. The system is in a state of chaos. It’s cheaper to lead an unhealthy lifestyle than it is to live healthily.

Q: How do you fit studying into your busy schedule?
A: Very challenging but I am determined to complete this degree even if it takes a lifetime

Q: What can you tell Unisa students?
A: Knowledge definitely does give you power; even the bible reckons that we perish because of lack of knowledge, therefore, let’s do this. I am proud to be one of you!

*Source: Inspired Vol 7, No 2; November 2011