Unisan Maanda Hlengane has graduated with a Diploma in Law at Unisa. His announcement on stage was followed by resounding cheers from fellow graduates, family and co-workers. A staff member at the Unisa Department of Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning, Hlengane is the former Chairperson of the Unisa Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) and is currently the Speaker of the Tshwane Regional Student Parliament. 

Maanda Hlengane

Born and raised in Ha-Rabali, a village in Venda, Limpopo Province, Hlengane says that his drive came from being surrounded by poverty in his village, with no opportunities, limited resources and little hope in sight for reprieve. 

Hlengane says the injustices of this country, driven by socio-economic factors, compelled him to choose a Diploma in Law since it will position him to lead the transformation project of decolonisation at both academic and judicial platforms.

Leadership towards students and staff

Hlengane says his plight inspired him to advocate for change and access to opportunities for those who are voiceless, and for those for whom access to resources, choices, capabilities and opportunities are inhibited by poverty on a daily basis, especially university students. "This gave me the courage to advocate and strive to change the conditions of a black child," he adds.  

This, he says,  fuelled his activism within the university and other sectors, where he actively participated and joined other advocacy groups propelled by student struggles, such as the #FeesMustFall movement, which demanded free, well-resourced and quality education for South African students. 

In the same year, he was elected Chairperson of the Unisa EFFSC and served for two consecutive terms, during which he assisted student with issues ranging from registrations to bursary applications. 

Hlengane later joined the Unisa Black Forum after witnessing the challenges of Unisa academics affected by discrimination and unjust labour practices, as well as a headstrong desire for the institution to be transformed. "I believe that the quality of education is determined by the ability of people who teach; if they are unsatisfied, it transfers gruesomely to the quality of our education and the kind of graduates we will have," he says. 

"As speaker of the Tshwane Regional Student Representative Council," he says, "my primary responsibility is to convene and preside over the student parliament where the Tshwane Regional Student Representative Council is called to account."

A prisoner of hope

Hlengane regards Unisa as a welcoming institution that does not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation or financial means. "Most importantly," he continues, "I appreciate Unisa because of its renowned scholars who have distinguishing track records at an international level."

Hlengane says that being a Unisa student is difficult, especially with the online distance learning hurdles that such students will face – from funding to administrative to academic encounters. "I do, however, encourage my fellow students to remain focused, disciplined, and dedicated to their studies," he comments. 

Recalling toiling moments while studying towards his qualification, Hlengane says he had to endure the plight of hunger and emotional breakdowns which, he says, came with the struggle of not having sufficient learning resources. He regards himself as a prisoner of hope, who never betrayed the struggle nor fed negative thoughts because it wasn’t going to assist him in any way to achieve his goals.

Hlengane expresses his gratitude to his mother, grandmother, aunt and siblings, all of whom he says were instrumental in his success. Furthermore, he states that he would not have fought so hard for success if it had not been for the support and commitment of both the Unisa EFFSC and Unisa Law Students Association associates. 

"I intend to pursue my studies to doctoral level, after which I will work as an academic at our wonderful institution," he says. 

He concludes: "The road grows steep as you progress but stay steadfast and courageous. You will reap the fruits of your hard work. I encourage students to be positive and to never allow anything to divert their focus and, instead, be resolute towards achieving their vision."

* By Godfrey Madibane, Unisa Radio Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement