What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I grew up I wanted to become a teacher. Both my parents are teachers, but that's not why I wanted to become a teacher. I spent my primary school years up to grade 4 at a township school, Inkqubela Lower Primary School. At the time I was still a learner corporal punishment was still allowed at schools. Then, we didn't know anything about children having rights or calling the helpline and claiming to be abused. So I wanted to be a teacher so that I could give my learners a hiding. I assumed that's what teachers did, ask you questions you don't know answers to and give you a hiding for not knowing the answer.

When I went to the Model C schools, I wanted to become a lawyer. I was greatly influenced by television, especially Ally McBeal. I thought it was such a cool thing to walk into a courtroom wearing a short suite and apologizing to the judge for being late. I later learnt that's not what lawyers do, so my dreams changed.

By the time I was in grade 10, BComm Accounting was the new buzz word amongst black people in my school. Then I wanted to become a stockbroker specifically at the London Stock Exchange. Don't ask me why in London, I really don't know. My dreams were shattered at University of Port Elizabeth when I attempted to study BCom Rationum majoring in Economics and Business Management. I couldn't balance my varsity work with my very busy social life.

This has led me to believe Public Relations is a calling. I didn't realise all these years that my achievements were in cultural activities. I was in the Debating Society, did public speaking, monologues at the Grahamstown Eisteddfod and participated in house plays. I received a colours blazer by the time I matriculated. Now that I'm grown up, I'm doing Public Relations.