"Rhodes University gave me the surprise of my life”, said Sam Raboroko, a first year Journalism student explaining the challenges that he faced at Rhodes at the start of the year. “From four distinctions in high school to the 50’s at university that’s when I started doubting myself”. I am not average and I don’t want to pass just for the sake of passing”, he said banging his fist on the table aggressively as if he were debating an issue at hand, his tone constantly pitching whenever issues of teenage pregnancy and Hiv and Aids among the youth are touched upon. Argumentative with a no nonsense attitude Sam has a soft side. Sam is a “ beautiful soul”, said Nandisa Futshane his friend doing a Bachelor of journalism, adding that Sam can also be shy although one can not notice this, “one day I was walking with a friend of mine and Sam was quite as we walked and it was after I introduced him that he started talking, he is not the kind of person who would just approach strangers and make a conversation”.

Sam is originally from the free State in Clocolan were he did his primary and secondary schooling. Pressure at home for him to succeed constantly catches his mind every now and again. “I think the pressure motivates me though because it reminds me of what I am here to do”. From his academic struggles during the beginning of the year, attending counselling sessions, mentoring programmes and his own self-motivation, Sam was one of the recipients of the Alumni Scholarship aimed at black students who have performed well in the year. honestly “I do not think I deserved it, I was honoured though by the award ”. From his passion to educate and challenge ideas, Sam is involved in a volunteer programme were he offers teaching to children, and has also been part of the campus debating society, “ my life revolves around debating”.

Sam got distinctions in English, Sotho, Afrikaans and Maths, and growing up he aspired to become a doctor, however he altered his decision when he failed science in June and did very well in December. From the exceptional performance in languages and his passion for social change and development he decided to do journalism. Coming to Rhodes was a huge achievement to him and irrespective of the struggles he continues to do well. Sam is currently doing journalism, law and politics”. “My plan is to get a journalism degree and a law degree”.