For the Lesoro family from Joza, this is no ordinary weekend. By the end of it there will be one more feather in the family’s cap, as the third generation in a row graduates to pursue an academic career.
For the Lesoro family from Joza, this is no ordinary weekend. By the end of it there will be one more feather in the family’s cap, as the third generation in a row graduates to pursue an academic career.
Maleke Lesoro will receive his BSc Honours degree in Biochemistry.
But an Honours degree is not enough for this young go-getter and he began reading towards his Masters in Biochemistry this year, focusing on drug metabolism and disposition.
Besides being a student, Maleke also works full-time at the university gym and is a track-and-field athlete on the Rhodes athletics team.
He finds the time in between all this to tutor second-year Biochemistry students and even though this 23-year-old has to travel from Joza to campus every day, “I inspire myself to work harder and I aim for success in my life,” he said.
But being a long-term academic seems to run in the family. Maleke’s grandfather, Ephraim, lectured seSotho at Rhodes in 1973 and 1974.
Maleke’s father, Perswell, was also a Rhodes graduate with a BA teaching degree.
His mother, Nondumiso, was not only one of the first Nathaniel Nyaluza High School matriculants, but also one of the first Joza residents to graduate with a teaching degree from Fort Hare University.
Nondumiso said even though it concerns her that her son may be overqualified for jobs when he has to start working, she supports his dream of eventually obtaining his PhD.
By his own admission, Maleke is a hard worker, but there’s more to this young man than just school-related activities.
Like his language lecturer grandfather, Maleke also likes to write poetry.
When Grocott’s Mail interviewed Maleke this week, he was just setting off to get his new academic hood.
Judging from the Lesoro family’s exploits he shouldn’t get too comfortable in his current colours however, as there are surely more to come.
