By: Chubeka Kulu (Development Fundraiser)

 

“The Hillensberg Trust gave me hope when I had almost none left. To everyone who gives, please know: what you give echoes far beyond the classroom. It builds careers. It restores dignity. It changes lives.” - Phiwokuhle Mnge

Phiwokuhle Mnge’s journey to becoming a pharmacist began in the humble setting of a small family in Mthatha. Raised by a resilient single mother who was both a nurse and deeply involved in research on traditional plants and healing practices, Phiwokuhle’s childhood was steeped in the quiet wisdom of service, science, and cultural knowledge.

“My mother blended clinical medicine with indigenous knowledge which showed me that healing is more than a profession; it’s a calling. That is when I knew I wanted to work in medicine, to use science not only to treat illness but to change lives.”

But Phiwokuhle’s path has also been marked by great loss. Both her mother and brother have passed away, leaving her to carry their legacy while raising her own child. Now in her final year of a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Rhodes University, she walks her journey with a mix of strength, sorrow, and determination; fully self-reliant and deeply driven.

Before university, she served as a Forensic Analyst with the South African Police Service. In 2022, she made the bold decision to resign and pursue her dream of studying pharmacy full time; a leap of faith that meant sacrificing financial stability and surviving off limited pension savings. “It was a leap of faith. I used what I had saved from my pension to survive, pay tuition, and provide for my child. But it was not enough. I was overwhelmed by financial strain, and for a time, I wasn’t sure I could keep going.”

Her turning point came in 2023, when she received the Hillensberg Trust Bursary. That support, she says, restored more than just her financial footing; it restored her hope and gave her the space to focus on her studies and motherhood. The bursary became her bridge from survival to success.

Since then, Phiwokuhle has not only maintained good academic standing, but she has stepped into leadership and mentorship roles on campus. She served as the Academic and Mentorship Representative in Oppidan Hall, helping first-year students transition into university life. She also currently serves as a Residence Student Assistant, continuing to mentor and uplift those around her.

Phiwokuhle’s story is one of perseverance, but also of potential fulfilled when support meets purpose. She believes in the power of mindset and resilience, shaped by her own experience of being ridiculed for not speaking English fluently when she moved from a village school to a Model C school in Grade 5. Despite suggestions that she repeat a Grade, she quietly worked hard to catch up. By midyear, those who once doubted her were asking to copy from her. That experience shaped her understanding that one’s circumstances do not define one’s future.

She carries that lesson into every part of her journey and encourages young people to believe in their worth, no matter their background. For Phiwokuhle, the struggle was never a sign to stop, it was a sign to keep going.

Today, her dream is to become a Pharmacist who not only dispenses medicine but contributes to community wellness, healthcare access, and meaningful change. The Hillensberg Trust Bursary has made that possible. Supporting students like Phiwokuhle is not simply about paying fees, it is about investing in individuals who will give back tenfold. She is part of a generation of change-makers whose potential can only be realised through collective generosity.

“Your support is more than a donation, it’s a lifeline. It gives students like me a second chance. You are not just funding a degree; you are funding futures. You’re making it possible for a mother to provide, for a daughter to honour a legacy, for a young person to believe they are enough.”

“The Hillensberg Trust gave me hope when I had almost none left. To everyone who gives, please know: what you give echoes far beyond the classroom. It builds careers. It restores dignity. It changes lives.”

As #GivingTuesday approaches, a global day of giving celebrated at the end of November, we are reminded of the power of collective generosity. It is more than a day; it is a movement that invites us to give back, invest in hope, and unlock the future for students like Phiwokuhle.

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