From humble beginnings

22-year-old Unarine Ndou, born on March 26, 2002, in the small village of Ha-Mutsha, Venda, spent his childhood with his paternal grandmother, who profoundly influenced his understanding of positive human interaction and engaging with different people. After completing his foundation phase education, he moved to another village to live with his aunt and graduated from primary school.

Despite growing up in a family that did not follow the traditional educational path, Ndou was surrounded by relatives who still valued education and its potential impact. His aunt often reminded him of the word “hope,” saying, “Unarine, you are my hope.” His late father would ask every academic term, “Vho-Ndou vho phasa?” (translated to “Mr. Ndou, did you pass?”). This constant encouragement drove him to excel academically. “Saying no would have been embarrassing, driving me to work harder,” Ndou recalls.

Inspiration and dedication at UJ

Upon completing matric, Ndou was accepted at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) as an Orange Carpet candidate in 2020. This initiative recognises academic excellence by offering benefits such as guaranteed programme placement and scholarships to top students.

He enrolled in the Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and FET Teaching, the only programme he applied for. Inspired by Anele Myalatya, “Mr. M,” a fictional character in Athol Fugard’s ‘My Children! My Africa!’, Ndou saw a sense of unity between the character and his aspirations, driven by a desire for change. He also wanted to emulate the pedagogy of care he witnessed from his high school biology teacher.

Throughout his B.Ed programme, Ndou was determined to maintain his high school performance level. He was mindful of the expectations of those who believed in him. “My dear guide and leader, Dr. Uzwi lezwe Radebe, taught me that youth does not mean immaturity but the power to make choices,” says Ndou. This philosophy motivated him to continue striving for excellence.

Triumph over tragedy

In July 2024, Ndou graduated with distinction at UJ’s winter graduation ceremony, a testament to his hard work and determination.

However, his journey was not without significant challenges. Less than five months before completing his qualification, on July 25, 2023, Ndou was involved in a horrific bus accident on Kingsway Road near UJ Auckland Park campus where 77 people were injured, resulting in severe injuries and the loss of his leg.

In the words of a medical practitioner, “There is nothing we can do now.’’

Lying on the cold sidewalk on a frigid morning, covered with shining plastic just minutes after the collision, Ndou thought, “Is this the end of the journey?”

After multiple surgeries, Ndou found himself in a new life he had no idea how to live. To stay positive, he decided to smile, which he called the magic word for 29 days in the hospital bed. “The biggest enemy would have been getting stuck in the sympathy and pity from those around me,” he says. Determined to finish what he started, Ndou resumed attending classes soon after being discharged, attempted all the examinations, and scored distinctions.

Gratitude and future aspirations

Ndou attributes much of his success to his lecturer, Professor Lydia Mavuru, whom he describes as a “woman king” for believing in his potential despite the circumstances.

“Despite a life-threatening accident, Unarine remained resolute in his pursuit of excellence. He never allowed this setback to derail his focus or diminish his drive. Instead, he embraced a positive mindset, believing his survival meant he had a second chance to follow his dreams. Through sheer determination, Mr. Ndou has not only achieved his own goals but also inspired others to pursue their dreams with the same tenacity,” says Prof Mavuru.

As he looks to the future, Ndou remains focused on moving forward. He draws inspiration from Sun Tzu, believing that deep knowledge and strong action can turn danger into safety and distraction into survival. “No matter how difficult the road ahead may seem, keep moving forward. Remember that progress, no matter how small, is still progress,” he advises.

He is currently enrolled for a BEd Honours in STEM education and is hoping to continue with a Masters degree the following year.