Sipho Moniwa

When Sipho Moniwa went to St Stithians College on a bursary at the start of Grade 8, it was with the loving support of a poor community – and a bag of R2 coins from a family friend who raided public telephones to gather money for him to buy himself linen.

“I know what it’s like for bursary boys who come to schools like Hilton College,” says the 36-year-old drama and life orientation teacher. They straddle two vastly different worlds and need to fit into both. “I build relationships with them. And when I share my story, they know I understand.”

Big and strapping with the softest heart, Sipho is also the deputy housemaster of Ellis, a basketball coach, rugby coach and the school’s deputy director of belonging. He tells a story told to him by his grade 11 English teacher when he needed to be encouraged to be true to himself.

“A man walking on the beach sees a crab stuck on the rocks. He decides to free it, but every time he tries, the crab pinches him. An onlooker asks him, ‘Why do you continue to do that? You know it’s going to pinch you.’ The man responds: ‘It’s in the nature of the crab to pinch. It’s in my nature to love.’”

Sipho was born in Johannesburg and grew up in various townships in Soweto. His parents, both teachers, separated when he was nine. His childhood was marred by domestic violence and financial hardship.

To provide better for her family, Sipho’s mom Beauty cashed in her pension savings and started a small garden servicing business.

“In my school holidays I used to go to work with her. I hated it. My mom is my hero. To see her doing that work broke my heart.”

He weeps recalling the sacrifices she made for him, including selling her vehicle so that Sipho could go on a school trip.

It was in primary school at Robertsham in the south of Joburg that Sipho started playing rugby and realized he could potentially use it to alleviate the pressure on his mom.

“In my grade 6 year, I made it into the U12 Nike All Stars, a development provincial side. The following year I made the U13 Craven Week side. At the end of that year, I got Rugby Player of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, and full colours for rugby. That’s how I got a bursary to St Stithians Boys College.”

You could say that teaching chose Sipho when, in his matric year, St Stithians offered to fund his studies should he decide to become a teacher. Before long he had his BA in dramatic arts and his PGCE from Wits. He worked at Westville Boys for nine years before accepting a post at Hilton College.

Married to Ayanda, who has just completed her BEd, the couple have three children: Melokuhle (12), Thando (7) and Hlelolwenkosi (8 months). He cherishes these bonds, as well as those he has with his wider family, having worked hard to heal relationships that were strained in his childhood.

Tattooed on Sipho’s arm is his life motto, Elevarse por encima del resto, which means “Rise above the rest” in Spanish. And as his star rises, his feet remain firmly planted on the ground.