Akhona Matyobeni, an accountant who grew up on the dusty streets of Duncan Village, is giving back to children from the impoverished township.
Matyobeni, a senior accountant at Buffalo City Metro (BCM), now lives in Beacon Bay, but spends his Saturdays at Kusile Comprehensive School helping matriculants from schools in the area to come to grips with accounting.
“I started with the classes in 2013 for learners who needed extra lessons,” he said.
“Over the years there has been an increase in the number of learners who attend.”
Matyobeni’s classes now draw about 30 learners.
“Growing up in informal settlements in various parts of Duncan Village, I never had anyone to look up to or anyone who did anything to develop the youth of the area.”
The passionate accountant only moved into a proper house when his mother received an RDP home in 2002.
“Unfortunately, not long after that she passed away, while I was doing my first year at the then Border Technikon.
“The plight of poverty in my community and the struggle I watched my mom go through as a single mother of four, working at Frere Hospital as a general worker, is what pushed me to excel in my studies and to be the man I know my mother wanted me to be.
“I can relate to what the children in the area are going through. I have been in their shoes before. I think there’s no better person to inspire them than someone who has walked their path and become a success, because in most cases they do not dream beyond what they see. Education put me in a good space.”
Matyobeni, who is currently studying towards his masters in accounting through Unisa, often invites his friends who work in accounting firms or finance departments to share their work experience with the pupils.
“Although learners often tell me the classes I give help them boost their marks, my biggest interest is their level of commitment.”
Zine Njekanye, 19, said they were fortunate to have a tutor that gave practical lessons.
“The classes have helped me be more confident for exams and I know my marks have improved because of them.”
Linathi Dyalivani, 18, who says she had a negative attitude towards accounting because she “didn’t get it”, has fallen in love with the subject.
“I have always excelled at mathematics so I couldn’t make sense of why I struggled with accounting, but now I understand it better.”
Sibusiso Njatyela, 23, said he looked forward to Saturday classes because anything he did not understand during the week was explained better.
“On Saturdays we get more than we bargain for, we are inspired and challenged to dream and see ourselves as professionals.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Inspiring Duncan Village’s youth
Matyobeni, a senior accountant at Buffalo City Metro (BCM), now lives in Beacon Bay, but spends his Saturdays at Kusile Comprehensive School helping matriculants from schools in the area to come to grips with accounting.
“I started with the classes in 2013 for learners who needed extra lessons,” he said.
“Over the years there has been an increase in the number of learners who attend.”
Matyobeni’s classes now draw about 30 learners.
“Growing up in informal settlements in various parts of Duncan Village, I never had anyone to look up to or anyone who did anything to develop the youth of the area.”
The passionate accountant only moved into a proper house when his mother received an RDP home in 2002.
“Unfortunately, not long after that she passed away, while I was doing my first year at the then Border Technikon.
“The plight of poverty in my community and the struggle I watched my mom go through as a single mother of four, working at Frere Hospital as a general worker, is what pushed me to excel in my studies and to be the man I know my mother wanted me to be.
“I can relate to what the children in the area are going through. I have been in their shoes before. I think there’s no better person to inspire them than someone who has walked their path and become a success, because in most cases they do not dream beyond what they see. Education put me in a good space.”
Matyobeni, who is currently studying towards his masters in accounting through Unisa, often invites his friends who work in accounting firms or finance departments to share their work experience with the pupils.
“Although learners often tell me the classes I give help them boost their marks, my biggest interest is their level of commitment.”
Zine Njekanye, 19, said they were fortunate to have a tutor that gave practical lessons.
“The classes have helped me be more confident for exams and I know my marks have improved because of them.”
Linathi Dyalivani, 18, who says she had a negative attitude towards accounting because she “didn’t get it”, has fallen in love with the subject.
“I have always excelled at mathematics so I couldn’t make sense of why I struggled with accounting, but now I understand it better.”
Sibusiso Njatyela, 23, said he looked forward to Saturday classes because anything he did not understand during the week was explained better.
“On Saturdays we get more than we bargain for, we are inspired and challenged to dream and see ourselves as professionals.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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