Kibebe Dipa is not like many other matric pupils — he wants to become a doctor but has had to park his childhood.
The 18-year-old is taking care of his addict elder brother and a younger one after their mother died in March.
Now Covid-19 has come to imperil his dreams.
Dipa lives in Site C, Khayelitsha, a hot spot for the disease he fears contracting.
“It will just be impossible for me to self-isolate, my siblings are wholly dependent on me.”
Back at school after months of lockdown limbo, Dipa starts his day at 5am, ensuring that his siblings Siphesihle, 23, and Liyema, 12, have enough food for the day before he walks 10 minutes to Intlanganiso Secondary School where he hopes to pass with flying colours. His teachers expect no less.
“He is one our best students and we expect a lot from him,” said his geography teacher, Mninawa Ndzotyana.
“The socio-economic situation of this community is dire. Most of our learners come from child-headed homes or live with relatives. We are running a feeding scheme here, which helps a lot because the learners get a nutritious meal daily during the week.”
Dipa cannot recall a time when his late mother, Thandiwe, was healthy. His dream of becoming a doctor stems from the days he used to accompany her to hospital and “there would be a shortage of doctors and nurses in the emergency room”.
“Our home burnt to ashes in April 2014 and we now live in this one-room shack. We sleep, bath and cook in here — it is our haven. My mother was an only child and my grandmother died in 2010,” he said.
His father, although still alive, wants nothing to do with his children.
Dipa’s loss is hidden behind a faded mask with a broken strap that a distant relative made for him. His hunger for education dwarfs his circumstances: he is encyclopaedic on current affairs and SA’s Covid-19 statistics, and risked arrest during the lockdown by leaving home to find a quiet space to study.
“I spent most of my time studying between March and now,” he said.
“My relatives, who run a crèche, have an office [in] their house. I shut myself in the office and immerse myself in books. My brothers have been very considerate. They understand that inasmuch as I am their anchor, I also need to study for our lives to improve.
“I worry a lot about this year and how things will turn out. I desperately want to pass my matric and proceed to the next phase of my studies.
“My situation dictates that I should endure school to succeed in life and I am willing to make that sacrifice. I really would like to take one shot at matric and proceed with my studies and be able to look after my family properly.”
Dipa’s shack, sandwiched between RDP houses, is surrounded by three other zinc structures from which the family derive their only income.
“My younger brother’s state grant was cancelled when my mother died,” he said.
“Before she died, Mom rented out the space in our yard to people who erected the shacks. The tenants have not stopped paying rent and we use the money for food and other needs. It’s not enough but we use some of it to pay for our DStv. I need DStv for Mindset, an educational channel. I watch the channel at night, when it is quiet, and take out my calculator and solve some of my maths problems. The channels flight maths, physics and English lessons.”
I used to have a temporary job sweeping taxis at the rank but I lost it. Now I am trying to mend my ways and assist my brother keep this home together
— Kibebe Dipa's brother, Siphesihle
Dipa hopes to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa one day and advise him on how to tackle the “drug problem that is wrecking my community”. He admits that life is not easy.
“I thought I was up to the task when my mother was still alive but I have since realised that I am actually a child and that I am not ready for the responsibilities,” he said.
“The only thing that keeps me going is the thought that whatever challenges I am going through now will make me stronger and more resilient.”
As Dipa prepared to leave for school last Friday, his brothers woke up to say goodbye.
“I was on drugs but I have decided to quit,” Siphesihle said.
“I used to have a temporary job sweeping taxis at the rank but I lost it. Now I am trying to mend my ways and assist my brother keep this home together.”
On his way to school, Dipa walks past others just a little older than himself strolling aimlessly in the streets, avoiding sewage from leaking pipes and piled-up litter. When he reaches school, he is like every other child, joking and laughing as they wait to have their temperatures taken, before he disappears into the triple-storey building.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.