Lera Lee

I MISSED MY GRADUATIONS AFTER TO COMPLETE MY LLB DEGREE AT NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY, MAFIKENG CAMPUS...

I felt like sharing this story of my life like many others. I have to state that I am on a healing journey from life challenges. I believe this will encourage and comfort you, maybe inspire you to face any life obstacles with courage and energy to conquer.

I was with Constance Dimakatso Mahoko, who was magistrate at Garankuwa Magistrate Court and currently running her law firm DC Mahoko Inc. She said Maila, you never came to your graduation. I know because I always came behind you even on class register and in graduation list like Maila & Mahoko. I was so worried cause we expected your loud and noisy behavior in that room.

Indeed I was not there, I could not attend my graduation at that time. I had too many challenges and obstacles. After to write my final exams, waiting for all results till last tax law results on the 27th of November that year. I knew I am due to graduate and celebrate my four years of struggle with hunger, pain, failure, pressure and heart break of mjolo.

I remember same year I left Mafikeng on the 08th of December, after to struggle with R270 to take taxis home from Mafikeng to Hammanskraal. I was given money to return home by Ngoako Rakgale, who was then a Junior Lecturer of political science. Ngoako Rakgale, some know him as Elias, he is still my brother from Hammanskraal, Phake.

I told her that that time when I arrive home, I found my mother sick, bedridden and hungry. I was not told of her state because I will leave home January and return December due to transport fair struggle. I found that my mother was so sick to an extend that she lost her mental senses, she even a month earlier she broke all my home windows. Just as I got off the taxi I could see the way community members were looking at me that they feel pity for me.

At the very same time, I found that my father was hit by stroke for the second time, he could not even move. I had my eldest brother Lucas Lesiba Maila working odd job at Tshwane milling to provide for family. Upon my arrival home as I held gate and opened. I saw my father shed tears, I sat down and offliaded my black bag and greeted him, he could not speak properly and he was swallowing words, his tongue was interwoven in his mouth.

I asked what is wrong, he said I had stroke again. I then began to notice windows with mielie meal covers on the windows and I asked what is wrong. He said your mother was not well, she broke the windows and was fighting everyone. I tried to stretch my hand to shake his hand as our greeting culture. My fathers hand could not move to reach mine, I knew that he is in bad state. (I guess you hear about my mother for the first time)

I went inside the house, it was a shack till now I just built a house. I found that my mother is sleeping on top of the bed, she was so skinny to an extent that she was invisible. I went to greet her, she could hardly speak, but she had very bold lips and I could see her smile in the midst of a painful face. I said to her, Mma ke Doctor, I am back home, ke feditje ko university, ke buile saruri g*e, which losely mean I am done at university and back home for good.

After travelling from taxi to taxi from Mmabatho to Sekampaneng, I am surely hungry. I went to kitchen. There was no food, there were yesterday plates unwashed because my sick mother and father are helpless. I knew that reality has to struck me, I am ushered into reality. I was now on managing and planning next move. I am home, this is my home, this is where I left to go study law and this are my parents that gave birth to me.

I later that evening phoned one friend fron University Rudzani Mkhodobiwane, whose father was a prosecutor or magistrate and mother and an attorney or so. I wanted him to borrow me atleast R500 cause I just arrived home to a very regressed state of life. I wanted to atleast buy basics for my family. I learnt that they were throwing him a celebration party for passing 3 or few modules or so that semester. I realised that I am done but there is no even sanguage to welcome me home.

Later on my brother came back, Lucas Lesiba Maila, he is the most quiet at home, he is a man of very few words, he is a direct opposite of me. He said ekse mfwethu o zwakie. So o feditse daah? I said yes, he was like I waited for you to come home and you continue with family responsibilities, remember you are a last born, once you can stand on your feet, I must walk out in peace. He indeed left in January to start his home.

I requested my grandmother to take my mother home to Mokamole, Skuilpadkraal, at Bakenburg, Mokopane. I was left with my father again as in when I left for university. I had to see to it how I roll with life. I then started to hunt for a job, I wanted to do articles to be admitted as an Attorney or anything to provide for my family. I had to do something that very January. I could see that people and family wanted change because a lawyer son is back.

I will tell more of other challenges in nearest future. Then I found articles by beginning of April at University of Pretoria Law Clinic,Hammanskraal Campus, they were paying me R6000 per month. I really felt like God has answered my prayers. It was an opportunity I prayed and longed for all my life. I remember after interview,all I wanted was that job offer, nothing more or less. I will share more on it in future. As I use my page to document my life.

I started working in April, I was not paid, last money I had was from Ngoako Rakgale in December. I could not attend graduations. My parents who must see me graduate are sick and cannot travel far. I realised at that time graduation is luxury of privilege at times. I had to let it slide.

I remember I only wanted my transcript and letter of recommendation from the faculty dean, at that time Professor MLM Mbao, who also hated me with passion because I often times challenged university governance and management, which included him too. After to get that email from my them webmail email. I started to hit the ground running with brown envelope.

After to answer she cried, she said we knew you were from a poor family, even though your confidence was so shocking high. You always ate in our rooms after to assist us with assignments and you will fight with Mothusi Aububaker Maje, now Magistrate at Upington Magistrate Court. I know if I can appear before him that court will be a disaster,we fought over Christian versus Islam and PAC verses ANC etc.

After she said, I now understand why in every court appearances you take puctures and post. You are closing gaps of graduation photos my brother. We laughed and continue on business of our meeting. She declined a picture with me cause she says she does not want to be known that she knows me.

I felt like sharing this one because there is one graduate that is facing similar situation or even worse one than mine. I hope my story inspires and encourages you to rise above obstacles and challenges you face.

It is possible, just believe my friend!

I remain
The Lion of Azania!!