When the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) didn’t pay his full fees, Phakamani Ntimbane thought of other ways to raise funds to pay off his student debt.

With a background plagued by financial challenges, the 20 year old DUT Library and Information Studies graduate refused to sit back and feel sorry for himself. Instead, he decided to write a book titled: Life in Pages. “When I realised that my fees were not fully paid, I started penning my life experiences in a book in order to work towards raising funds so that I could eventually get my diploma from the University,” said Ntimbane.

Growing up in the rural Ngwavuma, Ntimbane was raised by his illiterate parents who used every cent from their piece-jobs to make sure that he received a good education. Although life has been difficult all his life, Ntimbane has promised himself to make the most of his life experiences and be a provider. “Growing up, I didn’t understand why sometimes we had to walk to school barefoot or what my father was doing by the sugarcane farms. However, my curiosity pushed me to start reading and write everything that I saw around me. This improved my communication skills. Everything that you see as a challenge should motivate you to push even harder in order to overcome. Always focus on what you can do instead of what the struggle is,” said Ntimbane.

Life in Pages was launched in Pietermaritzburg on 10 October this year (2015). It is available at Adams Booksellers and Stationers. The book speaks about knowing your identity and journey as a human being. It speaks of Ubuntu and how ambitious young women and men can overcome challenges that they face in life. It is ideal for life enthusiasts. 

– Noxolo Memela

Pictured: Phakamani Ntimbane with his first book: Life in Pages.