A road through the "Odd one out syndrome..."

  

I worked Extra hard to make something
of myself- Wezi Thandiwe Sataya

We all have dreams and wishes that we long to fulfil someday. Some wish they would get a name through impact, some desire to just be like any other dreamer, silent yet impacting in their deeds. While not all of us get the platform to be what we wish for, we at least, all have what it takes to make a difference in one way or the other. Born last in a family of three is 26 year old Wezi Thandiwe Sataya who grew up to be different from her siblings in many ways. Wezi happened to be born last in a family of three, one boy and two girls and she was focused from birth.

Born to parents who knew very well the value of education was the greatest gifts to have ever happened to Wezi. She had all the chances to earn education not only because it is a right but because her parents attached meaning to it. At a tender age, she was introduced to primary education at Southend Primary School in Blantyre. She was just a young primary pupil who never noticed nor took much interest to notice anything within her, a thing that is common in almost every primary school pupil in Malawi. From Southend Primary school, Wezi went to continue her studies at Kamuzu Academy Secondary school where all her elder siblings attended their secondary education as well. It was not that easy for Wezi knowing quiet well how clever her siblings were and at the same time getting to discover of some things she never noted about self in primary school and throughout her childhood. It was up until this time that she started understanding herself. She started noticing things within herself that were different from her elder siblings. She got to notice that she was not as sharp and clever as her siblings were and this bothered her to some extent. She convinced herself to be the odd one out of the three. This conviction challenged her, it got embedded to her heart, she wanted to beat “being the odd one” syndrome. She wanted to be as good as her siblings and there was no any other best way to do it except to work extra hard. The going got tough and she decided to get tougher. Like Wezi some students in various primary and secondary schools in Malawi are also at a stake of self-discovery. Some are convinced to be as smart and sharp as the two elder siblings of Wezi but there are some who are convinced to be as Wezi herself. “I am not as good as my classmates, my sisters, brothers or my best friend.” They ruminate.  Whatever it is that makes you to categorise yourself as the odd one out, does it give you a reason enough to challenge yourself? Does it motivate you to get tough with the going?

Well, as for Wezi she faced the challenge, kept working extra hard and made it for tertiary education. From Kamuzu Academy she joined Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa for a bachelor of Law program. Throughout her tertiary education, she never really knew what she exactly wanted after her studies but one thing she was positive about was not to go into practice. Wanting to make something of herself, she worked extra harder and graduated a cum laude as well as the best international student of the year. Remember this was the girl who felt to be not as good as her siblings or perhaps everybody else and it took just an extra hard work to turn the odd one out into the best international student of the year for Nelson Mandera Metropolitan University who later joined the University as a student assistant, helping in marking and tutoring.

In 2011, Wezi joined The Malawi Catholic University as a lecturer in law. She contributed in the faculty set up and is currently serving as the Acting Dean of the Faculty. In 2012, she sat for the BAR examinations and got admitted to the BAR in February 2014.giving her option to practice law. This did not just advance her career but also expanded her job horizon. It gave her the opportunity to work on a part time basis at Knight and Knight Law firm.

 To all girls in secondary and primary schools, “You can be the odd one out and turn your not good enough outlook to the best there can be with just one thing and that’s an extra hard work to your studies,” says the young Wezi who is not only serving in her profession but also her passion for music, under the Music Ministry of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of Blantyre Archdiocese where she serve as the secretary.

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

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 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

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