“Dream Beyond Your Circumstances” – Mikyle’s Message of Hope This Youth Month

At just 22 years old, Mikyle Blouw is living proof of what determination, resilience, and access to opportunity can achieve.

Mikyle Blouw

Born and raised in Ocean View—a community on the outskirts of Fish Hoek in Cape Town—Mikyle knows first-hand what it means to rise above difficult circumstances. Today, he’s an architectural technology graduate with a promising future and a powerful message of hope for young South Africans.

“I’ve always believed that where you come from should never define where you’re going,” says Mikyle. “It’s about what you do with the opportunities you're given.”

Growing up in a large family of six children, Mikyle’s early schooling was marked by hardship.

“School was tough in Ocean View. It was hard to concentrate in an over crowded classroom. I really looked up to my older brother as a role model who saw my potential and pushed me to aim higher.”

When his mother heard about a bursary opportunity supported by the Prescient Foundation, Mikyle was ready to try something new.

In 2010, Laerskool Paul Greyling launched their bursary programme, funded and supported by the Prescient Foundation. The programme identified previously disadvantaged learners from surrounding communities who were funded to attend Laerskool Paul Greyling.

“We all arrived nervous yet hopeful and soon realised that having the right support changed everything.”

Although he initially struggled to catch up academically and even repeated grade 2 to get up to speed, Mikyle embraced the challenge. He found strength in sport—particularly cross-country and rugby—and thrived with the support of his teachers, classmates and family, who believed in him.

By Grade 7, Mikyle had been named Head Boy. From there, he earned a place at Jan van Riebeeck High School and officially joined the Prescient Foundation scholarship programme, became a school and hostel prefect, and set his sights even higher. To be the first person in his family to attend university.

Throughout his schooling journey, the Prescient Foundation stood firmly by his side—covering school fees, uniforms, transport, and stationery, and later stepping in to assist with university supplies, a top of the range laptop and mentorship.

“Prescient didn’t just support me financially—they gave me belief,” says Mikyle.

“The support of people like Herman Steyn, co-founder and current Chairman of the Prescient Group—who I have check-ins with, through the Foundation’s Mentorship Programme—and over a decade of guidance from Meryl Bendie, the Programme Facilitator at the Prescient Foundation, gave me the confidence to keep going,” added Mikyle.

“As part of our Mentorship Programme, we pair all high school learners, Prescient Foundation alumni, and post-matriculants with a mentor from Prescient,” explains Nicole Pinto CEO of the Prescient Foundation.

Mikyle recently completed his National Diploma in Architectural Technology at CPUT and is currently completing a year-long internship at SVA International. His work focuses on detailing and design across a diverse portfolio of clients. He has also applied for a two-year (part-time) Advanced Diploma programme at CPUT and continues to excel and push forward.

His dream for the future
“One day, I want to buy a home—and maybe even design my own. I want to give my siblings the support I never had. I want to put down roots and build something lasting.

For Mikyle, education is more than just a qualification—it’s the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking a better future. His journey hasn’t been easy. His parents divorce and the loss of his grandmother in matric—a woman who believed in him deeply—was one of the hardest moments of his life.

“She used to call me ‘Kylie’ and tell me how hardworking I was. I carry her belief in me every day.”

His advice to other young people
“Especially to those growing up in tough communities like Ocean View, I want to say don’t let your environment dictate your future. If you’ve got a dream, back yourself. Work hard, stay disciplined, and have faith. And when someone offers you a hand, take it. You never know where it might lead.”

Today, Mikyle gives back by sharing his story at Prescient Foundation leadership summits and mentoring others.

His life is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when potential meets opportunity.

This Youth Month, Mikyle’s message resonates more than ever:
“You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just don’t stop believing that you can do more, be more, and rise above it all.”

Celebrating two decades of impact, the Prescient Foundation remains dedicated to nurturing talent, promoting equity, and opening doors to brighter futures.

At its heart lies a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves access to quality education. By empowering young minds with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need, the Prescient Foundation continues to invest in the leaders of tomorrow.

As we celebrate 20 years of the Prescient Foundation, we’re proud to stand behind young changemakers like Mikyle,” concludes Pinto.

#YouthMonth #PrescientFoundation #BreakingBarriers #InspiringTomorrow