One of Trust’s 21 students this year, saxophone player Jude Miller has spoken 
of his desire to become not only a professional jazz musician but also to teach others.
Jude, studying for a Bachelor of Music degree, feels he has begun to acquire the necessary skills to perform live music at venues in Durban and at events such as the National Youth Jazz Festival. He says: “I have also started to give back to my community by teaching music in my church and being involved in the universities’ Jazz Appreciation Month school outreach [programme], both of which I have really enjoyed.”
He hopes to become proficient enough with the sax to play at a professional level. “I am also very passionate about teaching music, to have the ability to pass on the knowledge of what I have gained, because I have realised through my own life’s experience the importance of having not only a good teacher but a better mentor.”
Another student with ambitions to teach is Masibonge Miyeni, the recipient of the Trust’s Margaret Thomas Scholarship, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree in Science and Maths. She says: “I firmly believe that the education system in South Africa needs young, dedicated, and passionate individuals like myself to drive positive change and improvement, and I am eager to be part of this transformative journey.”
Many students speak of their desire to give something back to their communities. One 
of them, Bongiwe Ndonyela, is studying for an Honours degree in Medical Biochemistry because of her interest in “the biological mechanisms behind human health and disease”. But she has a “long-term goal of contributing to medical science in a way that can improve people’s lives”.
Bongiwe wishes to focus on research – but adds: “I also hope to give back to under-resourced communities by helping improve access to health education and research-based healthcare solutions.”
Imaan Essop Siddiq chose Nursing because of her passion “about caring for others and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives”. She declares: “My dream is to become a compassionate, skilled nurse who contributes meaningfully to Primary Healthcare and supports communities with accessible, patient-centred care.”
One of the Trust’s students who is studying to become a doctor, Allison Hill, says she chose to pursue an MBChB degree “after experiencing a deep sense of helplessness when my grandmother passed away from a stroke”.
She says that moment sparked a strong desire “to play an active role in helping others access quality healthcare”, especially in marginalized communities.
Allison finds the clinical aspect of Family Medicine “particularly rewarding” and hopes to be able to specialize in paediatrics. “My ambition is not only to heal but… to serve in a way that leaves a lasting positive impact.”
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