Manga Cekiso with his mom Belinda
Siyamanga ‘Manga’ Cekiso achieved an amazing five distinctions in 2025 as a Masiphumelele High School Grade 12 learner, including Maths and Physical Science! This earned him acceptance to study Medicine at Wits University.
Manga was a quiet learner, never wanting to be heralded while he won awards at school. He would always pick them up after the ceremonies, so he would not stand out. He played soccer throughout his Masi schooling. Brought up by his single mother Belinda, he was focused and hardworking and came from a financially challenged environment. Life was tough, but he responded with resilience and determination.
Despite the achievement of being offered a place at Wits, the immediate difficulty he faced was that he did not have funds for shoes, warm clothes, spending money, both the air and taxi fare, and a laptop. Pat Njiva, an Ukhanyo educator/coach, alerted another Ukhanyo Primary School educator, Kwanele Lunga, of his plight late on a Thursday afternoon. Manga had to be in Johannesburg to claim his room, on a first-come, first-served basis, first thing on Saturday!
Lunga and MasiSports’ Vince van der Bijl hatched a plan. The unusual expense was approved by the MasiSports Chair, Alex Hetherington. Lunga took him shopping, gave him spending money, and the flight was organised.
To top it off, Masicorp set him up with a laptop and gave him additional spending money.
Lunga – a dedicated educator/coach who is involved in the sports of Ukhanyo – took him to the airport at 4.30am on Saturday morning! Manga’s mother and Pat Njiva were also there to see him off. Such dedicated educators!
All’s well that ends well! Partnerships are key, and we are so grateful to Masicorp for their support.
We were on tenterhooks to see if all went well, and that he was given a room. Manga sent a happy, thankful WhatsApp to say that he was settled and had made some friends.
What a role model he is to all learners coming after him. Go well, Manga!