Abongile Quthu graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in 2022 and is currently completing a Master's degree in Intercultural Communication. For them, university was never just an academic destination, it became a space that helped them develop and unlock their own potential.
“It wasn't perfect," Abongile reflects, “but it was personal, and my centre held, because I learned how to build it strong."
The decision to study International Studies came from a desire to understand people, movement, and identity. “Growing up in Kayamandi, I was constantly observing how society shapes who we are, how we belong - or don't. Studying International Studies gave me the language to name what I had already been living.
“My learning happened with, through, and because of those around me. The classroom wasn't just lecture halls, but it was in protests, shared meals, heartbreaks, and joy."
As they came into their own as a trans non-binary person in higher education, Abongile stepped into leadership roles, using those platforms to amplify voices from the margins. These roles included serving as SRC Vice Chairperson and working across campus units such as the Transformation Office, SU International, and the Centre for Academic Administration.
Now, Abongile is in a season of “building and becoming". While actively seeking employment, they continue leading two community initiatives: Likhwezi Foundation, which supports child-headed households in and around Kayamandi, and the Dream Black Child Initiative, which helps matriculants navigate university applications and funding.
“Those aren't just jobs. They are spaces of mentorship, where I test my values in real time. It's not just about access. It's about restoring dignity. Your dreams are valid, and we will help you chase them. One of the biggest has been the weight of being a breadwinner while unemployed. I've had to pour from an empty cup, but I keep pouring because those I love drink from that stream."
Even in uncertainty, they remain grounded, committed to activism, community work, and writing. Transformation, they believe, starts within. For young professionals, urgency and intention are essential.
“This is not the chapter of abundance yet—but it is the chapter of becoming. And it's deeply sacred. Whether it was managing five meetings, a protest, and a drag rehearsal, or writing policy minutes and performing as Liyana Arianna Madikizela, I learned that laughter and creativity are resistance too.
“We live in a country where inequality and exclusion are not just statistics—they're our daily realities. Integrity, compassion, critical thinking—those are the values we need."
Abongile sees their generation not as passengers but as co-architects of South Africa's future. They are a proud member of the Stellenbosch Alumni Chapter. For them, spaces like the Stellenbosch Alumni Chapter offer valuable opportunities to connect with others, exchange ideas, and stay engaged in conversations that matter.
“We are the post-protest generation that still protests. We are crafting our relay. We're tired, yes—but we are also tireless. I attend almost every alum event. It's about shared purpose and shaping the future together."
They conclude: “I'm not just shaping my path. I'm reshaping what is possible."
Photographer: Henk Oets
