Lungile Gumbi

I was born in a township in Clermont, KwaDabeka, just outside the Pinetown in KwaZulu Natal. My twin sister and I are the first-borns of four siblings. Our parents, who were never married, had us when they were at high school. After completing high school, they left for Mozambique to pursue work opportunities We were raised by maternal grandmother who gave us a home for all our lives. Life was never easy but she made it seem like it was. My grandparents were a mixture of parents, teachers, and best friends. I am forever grateful for them stepping up to the call nurture and guide us. 

I would describe myself as a genuine, determined, witty  having a sense of humour. I believe that my hardships and misfortunes have refined me.  

At school I was drawn to science stream and this progressed to the study of agriculture at University. Our grandfather had back-yard farm, and he taught me the importance of self-reliance and sustenance through farming. I believe that investment in agriculture is the best weapons against poverty and hunger.

I had been funded by a NSFAS loan. It was time to secure a bursary.  I set out early without my parents knowledge to President Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla to ask him for a bursary. I had never been out of Durban, but there I was that day taking a leap of faith and was proud of myself for following my instincts.  The Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma Foundation funded my studies from 2015 to 2017. This source ran into difficulties and I am left with a Debt of R83 675.40. I have since joined the Feenix platform which is a crowdfund initiative for students. My 2021 goal is to be debt free. 

At university, however, I signed up for rugby, softball and rowing. This was where I grew as a person. Our club members were my family away from home. As I grew from novice of the year to women’s captain to vice-chairperson of the club I learned so much about time management, goals, and leadership. I learned the analogy that life is like rowing: know when to push, know when to rest, always keep your head in the boat, never stop rowing, the glory is in the team and not the individual.

Through IESHER, I aspire to realise our goals. IESHER speaks to the pivotal aspects of our livelihoods and I would love to see its targets reached. I was won over by how the institute dedicates itself to the creation of public value, it promotes young minds to think outside the box, to aspire  for innovation and development. I also absolutely love how we are encouraged to learn and expand our horizons. Great things are accomplished by a series of small things brought together. I know that I can realise my dream of working in a humanitarian organisation through IESHER.

I have recently completed my master’s study that looked at the effects of changing from sugarcane to macadamia on soil quality properties and physiological parameters. 

Someday I want to be part of a humanitarian charity that farms to feed those that are deprived.