STUDENTS FROM FREE STATE TO STUDY IN CUBA

 The 19-year old is one of 122 students from the Free State who were awarded bursaries to go study medicine in Cuba

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given, rather than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact.”

This is a quote that Teboho Mamaseli uses as his mantra and is derived from American boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.
The 19-year old from Thabong in Welkom, is one of 122 students from the Free State who were awarded bursaries to go study medicine in Cuba by the Free State provincial government.

“When I applied for this amazing opportunity, I knew my chances would be slim because there are a lot of good students in the province. But my family and I prayed and I am very excited to start my new journey,” said Mamaseli.

Mamaseli completed his grade 12 in 2010 at the Lephola Secondary School in Thabong. He has always wanted to become a doctor but due to financial constraints he could not pursue his dream.

In 2011, he enrolled to a computer systems engineering programme at the Central University of Technology (CUT) main campus in Bloemfontein, until June this year. He was studying through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but terminated his studies when he received a bursary to study Medicine in Cuba.
Mamaseli also received a laptop from the office of the premier and said this has changed his life for the better.

“My deepest gratitude goes to our government, particularly the Free State department of health and the premier for affording me the opportunity to study in Cuba. I am also honoured to have received a laptop which has improved my life in a big way.”

Although 186 students have been awarded these bursaries, only 122 will be boarding the plane to Cuba on November 16, to study for six years before returning to South Africa. The remaining 64 bursary recipients will also leave as soon as all their documents have been processed.

The South African government’s commitment to the development of the country has seen it identifying five priority areas to focus on, namely health, education, job creation, safety and security and development of women and children.

This annual initiative by the Free State health department literally covers three focus areas; namely health, education, and job creation.

According to the Free State health department, South Africa faces a lot of challenges. One of the main concerns under the issue of health is that the country does not have enough doctors.
“With this number of students studying medicine, this initiative will assist the government with these issues,” the department said.

Mamaseli said the young people need to believe in their dreams more, rather than people’s opinions about who they are or what they can or can’t achieve.

“Impossible should never be part of your vocabulary. Muhammad Ali once said impossible is just an opinion; it is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing,” asserted the elated Mamaseli.