Asavela Rawe; Brad Toerien (CEO of FMI) and Monde Simbosini
In the last week of January 2011 an article written by Helen Zille went viral and caught the attention (and the hearts) of many. The article was entitled ‘Outliers-The story of Masibambane High School.’
Zille sets the scene on the day she met Asavela Rawe and Monde Simbosini, two matriculates from Masibambane High School, ‘It is appropriate to use the term “Outlier” for a 17 year old boy (Asavela Rawe), who lives in a backyard shack with his single mother and three siblings, and achieves 7 distinctions in matric, including 97% for Higher Grade Mathematics and the top award in the Western Cape for Life Sciences.’ Asavela and his friend Monde Simbosini (who grew up in similar circumstances and achieved 3 distinctions and 98% for higher grade Mathematics) hold each other partly responsible for their academic success, having competed and pushed each other to do their best. ‘Asavela and Monde told me how they were able to stay at school until 9 o’clock at night so they could study in an environment conducive to learning. They negotiated the after-hours with their teachers’, comments Zille. (http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/newsletter_archive/outliers_the_story_of_masibambane_high_school.html).
When the story reached FMI, a national insurance provider based in Durban, they made contact with Asavela and Monde at the University of Cape Town, to find out if they could assist in any way. FMI were surprised to find out that the students were each facing a financial burden of around R70 000 (less a R10 000 scholarship from UCT) for their first year of studies, with no idea as to how they were going to pay it. But much like all the other challenges they have ever been faced with, they dived in head first, and both registered for residence and tuition for a 4 year degree in BBusSc Actuarial Science.
It was at this point that FMI shared Asavela and Monde’s journey with their partners in business, Lombard Life. Lombard Life is a long-term insurer, member of the Lombard Insurance Group, which seeks to meet customer needs through partnerships.
Without any hesitation FMI and Lombard Life made a commitment to support Asavela and Monde in pursuing their dream, through the provision of a bursary covering their financial requirements, mentorship and work experience opportunities. This would allow the students to gain perspective regarding the working world, introduce them to potential peers and colleagues, and give them an idea as to what their daily duties would entail. Top management within both Lombard Life and FMI have made themselves available to create a holistic support system, as it was recognised that the social adjustment of previously disadvantaged students is an even greater challenge than the academics. The school to university transition often leaves previously disadvantaged students feeling like they are socially on uneven playing fields.
On the 24th of February 2011 Brad Toerien (CEO of FMI), along with Paul McKillen (Product Development Actuary at FMI) and Lauren Laing (Communications Specialist at FMI) met Asavela and Monde for the first time. ‘The 2 young gentlemen appeared anxious at first but relaxed as we got to know each other. It was great to see their individual personalities come through’, commented Toerien. ‘During the meeting I explained the terms of the mentorship program, mentioning we would fly them both to Durban or Johannesburg once a year for 2 weeks of work experience. Monde’s whole face lit up and he proceeded to tell me he had always dreamt of flying. It was a truly humbling moment when I realised how much we take for granted. In order to meet with us Asavela and Monde also had to miss a lecture. Their apparent anxiety over missing the lecture, which students are commonly known for skipping, coupled with their voiced concerns about not being able to buy text books, showed their unfailing determination to succeed.’
FMI felt is was appropriate to make a stop at Masibambane High School while in Cape Town. Monde and Asavela’s teachers are the unsung heroes in this story and have not been given enough credit for the huge role they played in these students’ academic success. It must also be mentioned that the conditions they work in are not entirely conducive to learning, 50 children to a class must pose several challenges daily, but against all odds these teachers are churning out brilliant minds and fantastic results. Special mention must be made of:
We salute you in your amazing ability to mould the minds of the future.
It is important to note that Asavela Rawe and Monde Simbosini could have fallen through the cracks and been lost in the system. The harsh reality is that without any financial support, Asavela and Monde would have been home bound with no qualification, a lack of faith and crushed aspirations. It makes one wonder how many other stars are not given the chance to shine due to circumstance. FMI and Lombard Life hope this story will inspire others. When asked how he felt when FMI called him to discuss his bursary for the first time, Monde exclaimed ‘I was very happy that finally someone saw my pain and wanted to save me.’
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