College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

Student leader embraces education to help enhance Africa's sustainability

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Sipho Konkwane

Unisa East London Alumni Convenor and Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament in the Eastern Cape Region, Sipho Konkwane, recently graduated with a National Diploma in Animal Health at the university. Konkwane says he wants to bridge the gap between traditional and commercial farmers by sharing skills needed for sustainable development.

Konkwane states that he initially wanted to study a Bachelor of Psychology at a different institution, but due to lack of assistance from that institution, he went to the Unisa East London Centre where he met the then Student Representative Council (SRC) Chairperson, Naki Mawandi, who advised him to go to the Directorate for Counselling and Career Development for study advice.

When he got accepted, Konkwane says that he was exposed to the university’s self-help facility where he registered for a Higher Certificate in Life and Environmental Science under the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. He was fortunate to receive a bursary before commencing with his National Diploma in Animal Health.

Commenting about the qualification, Konkwane states that it is one of the most important achievements for him and his family. "I can indirectly motivate young Africans, especially those who grew up in rural areas and, especially, those who went to the same schools and live in the same area as me," he remarks. He continues: "I motivate them to thrive for a tertiary education, so they too, can go back to their communities and share the knowledge that they would have acquired."

Konkwane acknowledges that it was challenging being an SRC member while he was a student himself, as he had to deal with other students’ issues. He elaborates: "Students called me at odd hours seeking for help, and I prioritised them. To juggle my studies and SRC responsibilities, I then decided to focus on student issues during the day, and on my studies in the evening." For him, time management was a tool that helped him to overcome this challenge.

Reiterating on the importance of young people acquiring higher education, Konkwane asserts: "The African continent is rich and therefore needs innovative people who can take Africa to the next level and make it a better place for all."

Congratulating Unisa on its 150th anniversary, Konkwane urges the university to keep reclaiming Africa’s intellectual futures and producing high-quality education and exceptional professionals across Africa. He wishes Unisa an additional 150 years of producing prominent local and international leaders in various fields.

Konkwane is currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Animal Health at Unisa. He remarks: "In five to ten years, I see myself as an academic in agriculture, or as an advisor or Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development." According to him, these roles would enable him to help enhance Africa’s sustainability. He concludes: "Leaders are learners; therefore, it is important to embrace education."

#Unisa150

* By Lukhetho Mbanjwa, Communication and Marketing Intern, Eastern Cape Region

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Publish date: 2023-06-01 00:00:00.0

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