Sinomhlobo Ndlela, the first Black female Cox in the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Rowing Club

By: Siqhamo Jama

Sinomhlobo Ndlela’s journey to graduation was anything but straightforward. From being forced to take a gap year due to financial constraints to emerging as a respected leader, athlete, artist, and educator, her story reflects the essence of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s ethos: “Where leaders learn.”

Now a qualified pedagogical practitioner and Life Skills Subject Head in Aberdeen, Sinomhlobo, known by most as Sino The Poet, is the epitome of resilience and excellence. Her graduation is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of passion.

Sinomhlobo had long aspired to study further, but socioeconomic conditions halted her plans. “I had to take a gap year,” she recalls, “but I didn’t let that time go to waste.” Instead of giving up, she enrolled in a personal development and life skills program, setting the tone for an engaged and impactful university career.

Upon admission to Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, Sinomhlobo wasted no time immersing herself in every opportunity for growth. She pursued a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching, a decision driven by a profound curiosity about how children learn. “I’m very passionate about teaching,” she says. “I love watching others learn from me because, in turn, I get to learn from them. I’m obsessed with the question: how do children learn as much as they do? That drew me to Grade R teaching, the readiness phase, helping young minds prepare to learn.”

While studying, she embraced leadership roles that challenged and advanced her. Most notably, she made history as the first Black female Cox in the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Rowing Club, leading her team to victory at the Eastern Cape Intervarsity in 2023 and 2024. A trailblazing role in a historically exclusive sport that broadened representation and redefined the face of leadership at Rhodes.

Her efforts were not without recognition. She was named among Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s Top 120 Student Leaders in 2024 for her contributions to sport, and she also emerged as the champion of the Eastern Cape Liquor Board 10km Fun Run Against Alcohol Abuse. In addition to these accolades, Sinomhlobo served as a Peer Educator, further strengthening her commitment to excellence in sports and empowerment at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网.

However, it is through poetry that her voice has been the loudest. Performing as Sino The Poet, she graced stages at commemorative and academic events, including S.E.K. Mqhayi Day, Heritage Day, and the Music and Musicology Conference. Her work explores identity, social justice, and transformation, becoming a beacon of insight for many students and peers. “Your success lies in your voice,” she says. “That’s something I want every young person to understand. Use your voice, your story – that is where your power begins.”

For Sinomhlobo, her degree is not just a qualification but a springboard for broader social impact. “Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 shaped me,” she reflects. “I left not only with a degree but with confidence, exposure, networks, and a powerful sense of self. It changed my life.”

Her message to fellow students is rooted in reflection and foresight. “Start investing now and have a plan B. Think about what happens when you pass – what’s next? Gather your achievements now because those will matter when you enter the world. The outcome is yours to own.”

With a laid foundation, a clear vision, and an unrelenting voice, Sinomhlobo Ndlela is already changing lives in classrooms, on stages, and within her community. As she continues to teach, write, and lead, she is not just building a career; she is building a legacy.