Keeping his Eyes On the Ball....

As he puts his pen down once more to add a sentence or two more to his assignment, he looked up with a face full of delight. It was written on Misheck Meki face that his work is his pride and he finds no trouble getting down to business. Coming to Rhodes proved to be a very good choice as it has given him a platform to have a stronger academic foundation.

Misheck went to spent most of his life as a city boy in Harare, Zimbabwe. he went to school at Alan Wilson school for his O’Levels and Prince Edward school for his A’ Levels. Most Zimbabweans who know the geographical location of these schools would say Misheck sold out his former school for a rival school. The schools are separated by a fence that gives evidence of just how different the schools are financially. The boys from either sides have a history of fighting over the fence and on the streets outside. To Misheck, however, it did not mean much because he was not a part of the rivalry even though to the rest of the boys it meant family against family like the hutu and tusti.

Misheck was raised by composed hands that taught him to look beyond himself. Before coming to Rhodes University Misheck dedicated a year to a relief programme at the edge of Zimbabwe. It is not everyday a young city boy gives up his time for the well being of another. The smile in his voice confirms his statement when he looked into my eyes and exclaimed ‘I love my job.’

Studying a Social Sciences degree, to Misheck education is the foundation to his career. Misheck puts in extra amount of time, sleeping a maximum of six hours daily as a dedicated student. To Misheck time is wasted when it is spent dreaming. When studying Misheck hides from the rest of the world. He goes into his own world because to him his education is his responsibility. However when it comes to the party seen Misheck will let loose and becomes the heart of the party.

Misheck has a vibrant social life that keeps him on his toes. His hang out place being in his friends residences up the hill at Rhodes University. To Misheck spending time with his friends is like spending time with the brothers he never had. The crazy Friday nights that are memorized in photo’s and the lazy Saturday mornings that are full of ‘last nights talk’ are what Misheck holds as the fun memories. What Misheck holds closer is the way him and his friends are like a family. How they talk about everything, how they have one others backs, and how they are always honest to one another. Misheck found himself in the middle of the best place to grow as an academic and as a person.

As a member of the His People church, Misheck is proud to say he is a Christian. His faith flows into sectors in his life that make him a stronger person. On Sunday mornings Misheck and his friends attend church, defying the spirit of denying where they come from. Misheck comes from a firm Christian home and still he carries the teaching of his parents. Misheck chooses a quiet life that is composed. He chooses a life that keeps his mind on his purpose. To Misheck his purpose is living a fulfilled life. To Misheck it is no use coming to Rhodes only to waste time on relationships that are shallow and quick to end. He puts his pen down, gets up and walks to his window. He expresses how he loves going to the monument at night, just to look at the lights and thing with his friends.

Dedication to God and taking up every given opportunity are the two ways Misheck defines himself as a man. Misheck is most likely to pass because in his heart he’s already got his degree, ‘it’s just a matter of collecting it.’ Rhodes is like an athletics field, every student is on it to achieve success. Misheck was a winner before he got on the field, is a winner on the field, and will be a great winner when he gets off the field.