My tale is told as a Tsonga child growing up in the privileged suburb of silver lakes then being forced to adapt to a predominantly Zulu speaking poverty stricken area , navigating the sharp contrasts between extremes of privilege and poverty, all this has made me into the man I am today that's able to navigate between both sides of south Africa effortlessly 

In the gated communities, well-kept lawns, and calm atmosphere of luxury that characterized Silverlakes Estate in Pretoria, I spent my early years. Encircled by luxury and wealth, I delighted in reckless misadventures on expansive golf courses and relaxed afternoons by sparkling pools. Even still, I never noticed that there was a gap between Silverlakes' luxuries and the rest of South Africa's socioeconomic environment. My privilege was lifted and I was forced to face the hard reality of poverty only after my mother bravely decided to quit her work. The well-kept lawns and gated neighborhoods of Silverlakes gave way to run-down houses and congested streets upon our return to the township of Daveyton. All of a sudden, it was difficult to get basic essentials, and poverty was a constant in all facets of life. Being close to wealthy neighborhoods had protected me from the glaring disparities ingrained in our culture. I will never forget the hardships my neighbors in Daveyton endured, the lack of basic necessities they faced, and the tenacity of those who lived on the outskirts. It was a sobering event that made me face the glaring differences that persisted even in my own nation.

My knowledge of cultural variety has been further enhanced by my upbringing in a primarily Zulu area. I ended up caught in the rich tapestry of the Zulu people's heritage, fully immersed in its rich traditions, dialects, and customs. Their happy parties, lively music, and get-togethers added vibrancy and rhythm to my everyday existence I often feel guilty for not being proficient in my own language of Xitsonga because my upbringing was predominantly English and Afrikaans speaking and the one i deicide to learn an African language it was Zulu ,through my exposure to Zulu i have been able to learn other languages like sepedi,setswana,xhosa and Swati, all this is due to the area i grew up in my teenage years of daveyton exposing me to virtually every language in south Africa even a few foreign ones like Mozambican Portuguese . Managing these cultural differences had a significant impact on how I viewed myself. I gained an appreciation for the resilience and resourcefulness of communities facing hardship while yet carrying hopes for more wealth and opportunities in the future. The combination of my exposure to the Zulu way of life and my Tsonga background gave me a sense of cultural pride and belonging, while also broadening my knowledge of diversity.

I am always reminded of the intricate connections that exist throughout the human experience when I think back on my journey from the immaculate Silverlakes vistas to the busy streets of Daveyton. It's a voyage full of contradictions, intricacies, and, in the end, a greater understanding of how resilient the human spirit can be in the face of hardship. The tenacity, variety, and limitless potential that characterize us as a people in the vibrant mosaic of South Africa are echoed in my story.