As South Africa gears up to celebrate one of its most prolific icons, Nelson Mandela, in July, The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is recognising staff and students who embody one of the former president's most renowned quotes: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.
On the first floor of the West Wing Building at UWC sits a quiet but confident Finance Manager with arguably the driest sense of humour.
His talent for number crunching, demand for accountability, and attention to detail have even forced many colleagues to motivate the need for specific stationery. He would joke that no office requires ten rulers to increase work productivity.
Essa Sadien's journey at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a testament to the higher institution’s perseverance, commitment, and excellence ethos. As the first person in his family to attend university, Sadien’s path was far from conventional.
Coming from a family with little experience in higher education, he faced numerous challenges. University life was a foreign concept, but the support of his friends who were also applying to UWC gave him the courage to pursue his studies.
Transitioning from a small high school class to a university lecture hall with hundreds of students was daunting. Yet, Sadien adapted quickly, driven by the belief that perseverance would lead to success.
“University is something my family didn't really know about. Actually, matric wasn’t something many in my family completed. I was the second person to complete matric and the first person to go to university. This is from both sides of my family,” said the father of three.
University also proved to be a watershed moment for Sadien, not only academically but also because it was there that he met the love of his life, his wife.
Financing his education was another significant challenge. His father paid for his first two years of studies. He worked at the university for the remaining two years, juggling responsibilities as a student and an Information and Communication Services (ICS) employee.
This dual role not only helped him cover his university fees but also gave him valuable professional experience, demonstrating his remarkable work ethic and dedication.
Essa's experience at UWC highlights the university's commitment to fostering student resilience and excellence. His story reflects the broader ethos of UWC, which encourages students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
The alumna’s determination to succeed despite the odds is a powerful example of living out Mandela's passion for education. Sadien met the statesman at the age of ten.
“One day, I was driving with my father to Claremont, and we saw Mandela. We stopped the vehicle and approached him. Mr Mandela told me to stay in school, so that’s what I did,” said Sadien with a chuckle. “But in reality, my mother was really the driving force behind my education.”
His journey is a personal triumph and an inspiration to many. His story encourages other students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue their dreams with tenacity and faith in their abilities.
Sadien has been serving the university for 16 years. He considers UWC and family life his happy place. He added that working in finance comes with its responsibilities and challenges, but he believes the institution still maintains a high standard of service.
“UWC provides an environment of opportunity and community. There is a sense of community at UWC; whether you are a staff member or a student, people here care for each other. You spend more time at work, so you are bound to build friendships with colleagues, and I feel UWC promotes collegiality.”
Sadien's journey at UWC is a shining example of the university's ethos and Mandela's enduring wisdom. His story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, hard work, and belief in oneself can turn the impossible into reality.
On the first floor of the West Wing Building at UWC sits a quiet but confident Finance Manager with arguably the driest sense of humour.
His talent for number crunching, demand for accountability, and attention to detail have even forced many colleagues to motivate the need for specific stationery. He would joke that no office requires ten rulers to increase work productivity.
Essa Sadien's journey at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a testament to the higher institution’s perseverance, commitment, and excellence ethos. As the first person in his family to attend university, Sadien’s path was far from conventional.
Coming from a family with little experience in higher education, he faced numerous challenges. University life was a foreign concept, but the support of his friends who were also applying to UWC gave him the courage to pursue his studies.
Transitioning from a small high school class to a university lecture hall with hundreds of students was daunting. Yet, Sadien adapted quickly, driven by the belief that perseverance would lead to success.
“University is something my family didn't really know about. Actually, matric wasn’t something many in my family completed. I was the second person to complete matric and the first person to go to university. This is from both sides of my family,” said the father of three.
University also proved to be a watershed moment for Sadien, not only academically but also because it was there that he met the love of his life, his wife.
Financing his education was another significant challenge. His father paid for his first two years of studies. He worked at the university for the remaining two years, juggling responsibilities as a student and an Information and Communication Services (ICS) employee.
This dual role not only helped him cover his university fees but also gave him valuable professional experience, demonstrating his remarkable work ethic and dedication.
Essa's experience at UWC highlights the university's commitment to fostering student resilience and excellence. His story reflects the broader ethos of UWC, which encourages students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
The alumna’s determination to succeed despite the odds is a powerful example of living out Mandela's passion for education. Sadien met the statesman at the age of ten.
“One day, I was driving with my father to Claremont, and we saw Mandela. We stopped the vehicle and approached him. Mr Mandela told me to stay in school, so that’s what I did,” said Sadien with a chuckle. “But in reality, my mother was really the driving force behind my education.”
His journey is a personal triumph and an inspiration to many. His story encourages other students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue their dreams with tenacity and faith in their abilities.
Sadien has been serving the university for 16 years. He considers UWC and family life his happy place. He added that working in finance comes with its responsibilities and challenges, but he believes the institution still maintains a high standard of service.
“UWC provides an environment of opportunity and community. There is a sense of community at UWC; whether you are a staff member or a student, people here care for each other. You spend more time at work, so you are bound to build friendships with colleagues, and I feel UWC promotes collegiality.”
Sadien's journey at UWC is a shining example of the university's ethos and Mandela's enduring wisdom. His story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, hard work, and belief in oneself can turn the impossible into reality.
