Robbie Williams’ ‘Angels’ greeted me sincerely as I walked into his room, the venue of our interview. This set the pace for the intriguing, informative and thought provoking conversation to follow.
Michael Mokobi is a 20 year old first year student who lives in the modest town-turned-suburb of Alberton in the south of Johannesburg. Born and raised there Michael, or Mike as he prefers, has experienced life in the way he feels every man should.
Mike attended two great schools of Dinwiddie Primary and Jeppe Boys High. His leadership qualities came out as he was a prefect at both, but looking back at it now the only words Mike shared when asked to elaborate on his appointments were “that’s so strange.” He still posses his headship traits as he has been recently appointed as entertainment representative of Cullen Bowles, the residence in which he stays in.
Rhodes was a step into the wilderness for mike as the first time he set foot in Grahamstown was during O-week. He felt that a University away from home would open up new doors for him and he does not regret his decision. Mike is a man of great character even if small in physical stature. His presence will put him a head above you even though you look down to speak to him. For him, moving to Rhodes was a challenge and he wittingly admits that he “likes those things.” Rhodes has been a test to him in first year trying to balance work and a lively social life, but he has embraced this and more importantly the fact that, without parents or guardians, you are forced to LIVE life.
With his arms crossed and looking out of his bedroom window towards the hill that boarders Grahamstown, Mike told me about his family. He lives with his mother as his parents separated when he was young and on his fathers side he has two half-sisters and one half-brother. A slight lift on the right side of his mouth showed his pleasure as he spoke about his close relationship with his mom. They speak about anything and tell each other everything from “picking out underwear to picking girls.”
During his gap year in 2007 Mike learnt a lot about life. Though he didn’t travel much he found out what his ambitions were from the comfort of home and a provisional party-organiser job. “It sounds strange: took a year off to chill at home” says Mike but this was what was needed in the formulation of his view points on life. Moving to a chair opposite his bed where I was seated, Mike adjusted the right side of his glasses and sat, his face now stern yet slightly troubled. Mike’s biggest problem is the fact that there is a category called race. When I was confirming the details that I knew at the start of the interview he stopped me saying: “I’m not black, I’m a human being.” The topic was repeated when I questioned him on the struggles he has had to overcome. A major thing he has had to admit to is the fact that there are racial divides in the world. In the home that he grew up in he cannot understand how one person can hate another purely on pigmentation. He believes that people of today don’t think for themselves and that is where the problems lie.
Mike speaks with intelligence and confidence and it is very easy to get caught up in his words, forgetting the main purpose of your visit. What is left for this man is a determined attempt to be a part of the UN. He feels that they are the biggest organization that can actually do something for the world, they just need the right people and he believes that he is one of them.
Moving up from the chair and back to the window, the up-turned right side of the mouth visible again, Robbie with the up beat ‘Rock Dj’ in the background, Mike gave me his heart: “By the time I die I want to have taught people to think about their lives and question belief, till then I shall wait for my opportunity and listen to the children in the meantime.”
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