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Zintle, was expecting a year of growth, hands-on experience, and the joy of seeing her dreams inch closer to reality.
Instead, she found herself in a battle against — not just lesson plans and assignments — but with her own body.
“It started with strange symptoms: persistent dizziness, constant fatigue, and a voice that no longer sounded like mine.
"I didn’t know it yet, but I was carrying the invisible burden of Tuberculosis (TB),” said Zintle.
For four long months, she was sick but still undiagnosed, continuing with her school-based learning, masked-up every day, showing up for her learners, even when her body begged her not to.
“I presented lessons with a raspy voice, which replaced my once cherished singing voice — the voice I had nurtured in my beloved choir, which I had to painfully step away from,” she said.
As her body grew thinner and her reflection unfamiliar, the worry, uncertainty and fear of her declining health, pushed her into a dark place.
“Doctors couldn’t tell me what was wrong with me, I felt like I was disappearing, from the world, from myself,” said Zintle.
Then came the diagnosis: Tuberculosis, a name for the monster that had been draining her. The TB treatment brought hope, but also new challenges — side effects, strict medication, emotional strain.
“I clung to my faith, I held on to God, to the little strength I had left, and to the dream I had chased for four years, completing my degree,” said Zintle.
With grit and grace, she rose above her disease and made it through her teaching practicals.
Zintle wrote her final exams with trembling hands but a determined heart and now - "I stand proudly - a graduate of Nelson Mandela University".
“This isn’t just a degree, It’s a symbol of survival, perseverance, purpose. To anyone going through their own storm, keep showing up, even when it hurts. Healing is possible. Dreams are still valid. And your story is not over yet,” encouraged Zintle.