Thembakazi Sabile

Thembakazi Sabile is excited for what the future holds. In just a few weeks, she will graduate with a nursing qualifi cation from Kingsway College. The only thing standing between her and graduation is settling outstanding fees to the value of R6 000.

“Completing this course means a great deal to me as I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” she says.

Thembakazi managed to save money from her Big Issue sales and enrolled for the nursing course at Kingsway College in 2016. “It wasn’t an easy journey because with the little I made selling the magazine I still had to help out my sister as she is the breadwinner at home,” she explains.

Although Thembakazi has completed her course, she can’t receive her certifi cate of qualifi cation until she pays her outstanding fees.

“I haven’t raised enough to pay my fees in full. The Big Issue team has been helping me. I’m grateful for the staff members’ support and don’t know what I would’ve done without them,” she adds.

MAKING ENDS MEET

Thembakazi shares a pitch with her sister. Previously, she only sold the magazine on weekends and in the afternoons after school.

“I now have more free days to sell the magazine. A major challenge is not having many customers, as they are more used to seeing my sister than me. It’s a bit difficult building a solid relationship with new customers. I do have a lovely work relationship with my existing customers though, I can’t complain,” she says

SHOW SUPPORT

The Big Issue calls on our readers to support Thembakazi’s efforts to obtain her nursing qualifi cation. If you would like to donate funds towards her college fees, contact our office on 021 461 6690.