Change Begins at the End of a Comfort Zone (isiZulu)
Story and pictures by Vusi Shabalala
Londiwe Buhle Ngqulunga is one amongst a group of students who joined the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public
Works on 3 September 2018 in order to complete her Internship Programme. This is a story about a young,
brilliant, cool but elegant woman. She was born and bred in Hammersdale Township, commonly known as
Mpumalanga. She enjoys the culture and values of the Ngqulunga family while also preparing her future career
path. She has the cuddle comfort of her two siblings – her sister, Mbali and brother – Nkosi who is youngest of
the three. The Ngqulunga family is confined and committed to a strong religious muscle of the Presbyterian parish
and fellowship.
‘Londi’, as she is commonly known to her friends, peers and colleagues was first placed within the Directorate
Risk and Integrity Management for a four month spell. Hereafter, she got deployed to the Directorate
Communication since February 2019 to date and shall complete her term of the internship on 31 August 2020.
Simply elucidated, she has been quite a simple but fragile person of intellect, diligence and actuality. She shares
a Gemini horoscope that relevantly reflect her character. Geminis, like Londi - possibly, are amongst the
intellectuals known for their cleverness, curiosity and excellent communication. Always questioning and often
insightful. They are typically fascinating and light spirited companions with a diverse knowledge. She is one of a
kind. When in interaction with colleagues, peers and seniors she would easily welcome an environment with a
grateful smile. Her mode of attitude is conforming to doing something good at all times. When something seems
to be difficult, Londi would do it anyway.
The truth to issues will always remain. Her desired career of choice was and is teaching. Londi has achieved
something big, while in the employ of Public Works as an ‘intern’. She has been studying towards a post graduate
degree in Education with the University of South Africa (UNISA). It is therefore official that Ms Londiwe Buhle
Ngulunga has achieved her post graduate academic credentials as at December 2019. Londi passed all modules,
achieving an excellent percentage per module, ranging between 67% and 77%. Brilliant resultsindeed. She is now
ready to teach. When asked about her intent for future career venture, she responded very simply “Preferably
local, nearby home but as I am willing to grow and looking forward to make the difference in the community, I
won’t hesitate to grasp the opportunity if it comes.”
Londi’s aunt, a retired teacher, a role model for her life time since her early stages, has been a motivating factor
towards her dream. According to Buhle, there was an inspiration towards her undertaking to study towards the
curriculum simply because of love for the children and willingness to help that drove her towards the teaching
field. Londi completed her teaching practices at Zizamele Secondary School in Cato Ridge. “I am planning to make
a difference in the community and also for my homestead as my parents are not working, therefore continuing
to study would definitely bring difference financially and educationally,” she confirmed. Her visionary intent is “to
have an educated community and uplift the young pupils on their path of careers as I am willing to be an expert
in teaching by continuing to study,” said Ms. Ngqulunga.
“The department is a warm working place, a place that has UBUNTU because officials are always willing to help
interns to learn, they give their best in a professional, friendly and welcoming manner. Working as an intern in
the Department has been my first job and it has helped me to take the first step in my career” she alluded.”I am
much grateful for the opportunity. Both directorates Communication and Enterprise Risk and Integrity
Management have played a very exceptional role in my journey of learning. Other than getting an experience, I
was given an opportunity to observe how to handle various situations in a workplace,” she concluded her
thanksgiving message in quite a sentimental mood and feeling of elation.
Ms. Ngqulunga has indeed worked hard and deserves it. She has the results. Now it is the time for her to accept
all congratulations on this wonderful recognition of her achievement. Now that the comfort zone comes to end,
it is time for her to ponder on a new chapter in life. Teaching – a new career and environment. It is reality that
transition into a new job is mostly a challenge. Londi will be out of her comfort zone without enough knowledge
of resources and expectations, with strangers as colleagues and without an established reputation or network to
fall back on. Remember, she is brilliant. She would need a strategy to make the most of this time to stay ahead of
expectations and succeed. It is without doubt, when the provincial government visits schools during the annual
Schools’ Functionality and Monitoring Programme the ‘Communication Team’ shall meet her in the near future
while she will be standing in as an ‘educator’. She is reaching for the skies!!
“Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” John. F. Kennedy.