South Africa: Catching up with Noma and Paris
Scholars and Role Models in South africa
April 25, 2024
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We sat down with Paris and Noma, two alumni of PeacePlayers South Africa who are knee deep in their academic pursuits. Both are the first people in their families to go to university and both are as ambitious as they come – Noma is studying chemical engineering, and Paris is studying for a Bachelors of Commerce in marketing and is also in the Nike Yes program. Paris and Noma say their success is the exception, rather than the rule in the communities where they grew up, stemming from a combination of traditional gender roles and deep economic inequality. But they are determined to share their success with others and change lives while they’re at it.
PeacePlayers: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Noma: So I'm Noma, I'm from Umlazi Township in the city of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. Other than basketball, I'm passionate about music, songwriting and art. I also aspire to be a chemical engineer and a business woman: #AmbitiousGirl. I was part of the PeacePlayers Leadership Development program, as well as the High School Program. I'm currently in my second year at the University of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, doing a degree in chemical engineering. Where I come from in Umlazi, it isn’t a very safe place. There's a lot of gangsterism, violence and a lot of drugs. It can be discouraging.
Paris: So, I grew up in the suburb side of Umbilo, so it was the more privileged side. But unfortunately, I wasn't privileged compared to the community I was in. I was introduced to PeacePlayers South Africa in primary school. And that had a huge impact on me because I grew up in a household with only a single parent, and PeacePlayers opened doors to many opportunities. And then, other than basketball being an interest, I also recently started liking photography. I'm studying for a Bachelors of Commerce in marketing. And then, also through PeacePlayers, I got to join the Laureus YES program, and through that completed a Sports Administration qualification. I’m also coaching basketball at Crawford International La Lucia. And I'm involved in another programme called Nike Yes, which is helping me network with people in the sporting industry at Nike Head Office.
PeacePlayers: Are there any differences in the way you grew up?
Paris: I think a difference could be in terms of our race [editor's note: Paris is of mixed racial heritage - officially designated as “coloured” in South Africa - and Noma is Black. During apartheid, Black and “Coloured” individuals experienced segregation and varying levels of persecution]. I went to a school that was more populated with Black people. So I feel like because of that, it was easier for me to understand their struggles and everything they have been through. So my struggle would be completely different to their struggle, in terms of the history. So I know that we were born into free South Africa, not in the generation when apartheid happened in South Africa. But we still see the effects of it. So, the differences would be in terms of opportunities - you would get judged on your skin color.
PeacePlayers: Can you both say something about how you got to where you are now? Did you always know what you wanted to do? And were there any hoops you had to jump through to get there?
Paris: So getting to where I am today was definitely a long, hard process. I feel like a lot has to do with PeacePlayers South Africa. I was involved in PeacePlayers since grade four, then I became team captain in grade seven. And when you apply to go to a school,
they want to know your sporting achievements. And by high school, I had already been in PeacePlayers for a few years. That looked really good on the application, so that was the one way I got into high school. Then from there I got my full colors in grade ten. And then in matric, I got my basketball honors. All the achievements that I collected along the way, through my basketball career and through my PeacePlayers journey, paid off in the end, because the college I'm currently at, they asked for all my achievements, and I had like this whole page. I ended up getting a 75% bursary to study B.Com in marketing. And then, sometime last year, on our Leadership Development Program WhatsApp chat, there was a link posted, and I applied for it, and I had no idea what I was applying for. Then I got an email back saying that I have been selected for the Laureus Yes program. And through that program, I enrolled in the ECA College in Cape Town, which specializes in sports. And that's how I got to do my sports administration qualification for a year.
PeacePlayers: Noma, I know you were head girl at school. So I know that you had a lot of accomplishments during your school years and getting to where you are now.
Noma: Yeah, even with basketball. And I've always known that I wanted to be a chemical engineer, which is crazy, but I've always known.
PeacePlayers: From what age?
Noma: Since grade nine, I've always been this kid that loves science and fixing problems. And with chemical engineering, I'll get to do that on a larger scale, which is more beneficial to mankind. Also, you know, engineering is a male dominated career. So I did it to show myself and other girls that we can also do it. I had to work extremely hard to make sure that I got outstanding grades. I even studied on the weekends. I had to work hard. And I got multiple awards for my academics, and my grades got me into Stellenbosch University.
PeacePlayers: That's awesome. Do you feel like you have to make an extra effort to prove yourself as a woman in a male dominated field?
"Yes. I come from a community where we were groomed and were told that men can do it and women can't. So I had to work extra hard to show that women can also do it, and women are worthy of being treated as equals with men. I feel like as a young woman moving against such a norm, it automatically requires you to walk that extra mile to prove yourself." - Noma
PeacePlayers: Do you see what you're doing now as part of your PeacePlayers journey in any way? And do you feel like it’s going to have an impact for the greater good?
Paris: I feel like a lot of the things I learnt along the way really helped me. With the Leadership Development Program, you learn how to do public speaking, you learn how to organize outreach programs. And you also learn to see people as people. So that built a lot of who I am today. So all the things I've learned through Peaceplayers, I want to be able to give back to the community. I've always seen myself being on the panel at the PeacePlayers South Africa Girls Festival one day, explaining my PeacePlayers journey, my story. Recently I actually went to Umlazi and taught kids how to play basketball and they’re benefiting from that because they're learning how to play basketball. I also personally benefit from that. Just getting to see someone's smile when they learn something new and to see how excited they are about it – that brings joy to my heart.
Noma: I'm proof to other young boys and girls who have been groomed to this idea that men can and women can't. In PeacePlayers we're taught about gender equality as well as seeing people as people. And what I'm doing, I'm breaking the gender barrier for most people who also grew up in households and communities where they're taught that men can and women can't. I am an example to the young ones in my family as well as the community. So they really look up to me and they want to change their lives around and focus on their dreams and make them come true. Without PeacePlayers, I would have never gained the courage to bring new knowledge to people around me, and I would have never gotten the chance to take center stage and do what I love, which is chemical engineering.
"In PeacePlayers we're taught about gender equality as well as seeing people as people. And what I'm doing, I'm breaking the gender barrier for most people who also grew up in households and communities where they're taught that men can and women can't. I am an example to the young ones in my family as well as the community." - Noma
PeacePlayers: Are you still connected with PeacePlayers? And if so, what keeps you coming back?
Paris: I'm definitely still in touch with PeacePlayers. I feel like the connection you make is lifelong. I firmly believe the person I am today is because of PeacePlayers. And I feel like that's the main reason why I'm drawn back.
PeacePlayers: Noma, do you have a chance to get back? And I know you're far away at university right now.
Noma: Due to the fact that I'm studying in a different province, I can't visit as much as I'd like. However, I'm still in touch virtually. What keeps me coming back? With PeacePlayers it’s how they break their barriers of race, gender and language. To me, that helped me a lot because the friends that I have now in university, they're all different from me. They speak different languages. And I can see them as people and we can interact and understand each other.
PeacePlayers: What are your dreams for the future? And do you feel like you have the power to make those dreams come true?
Noma: My dream for the future is to live out my goals and aspirations, and for the people in my community to do so as well. I'm already a great influence on the people in my community. They look up to me, because you see where I come from. I'm the only girl my age that is in university. I am a beacon of hope that it can be done. I am their example to the young ones in my family as well as the community. So they really look up to me and they want to change their lives around and focus on their dreams and make them come true. So I'm really happy about that. I haven't even finished my degree. But there is an impact that feels great. Which is what I always wanted, to inspire others and leave a mark.
Paris: I'm actually the first person in my family to be able to study a degree. So that was a huge achievement. So I'm not only a role model to my smaller siblings and cousins. I'm also a role model to others. A lot of people believe that their background or everything they've been through determines their future. And I've always wanted to prove that that is not true. It doesn't matter what type of background you come from. It doesn't matter what circumstances you're going through, it doesn't matter the financial situation you're in. There's always some way to achieve your goals, to achieve your dreams. So that's why I keep on doing what I'm doing. And we’re chasing our career. We’re chasing our dreams. I haven't got my degree yet either. But already it has such an effect. Because I'm a strong believer that your story has the power to help someone else's story. So if I'm constantly sharing my story and I'm constantly pushing for my dream, someone else is going to see that and someone else is going to look up to me and be like, I want to be like her. And it also gives people the courage and the inspiration to actually chase what they want. Another reason why I want to achieve my goals is I want to actually be really involved in PeacePlayers. So I feel like I need to get a degree first. So I will actually be able to get more involved, and that also helps with the sports administration qualification I'm doing.
"I'm actually the first person in my family to be able to study a degree. So that was a huge achievement. So I'm not only a role model to my smaller siblings and cousins. I'm also a role model to others ... I'm a strong believer that your story has the power to help someone else's story. So if I'm constantly sharing my story and I'm constantly pushing for my dream, someone else is going to see that and someone else is going to look up to me and be like, I want to be like her. And it also gives people the courage and the inspiration to actually chase what they want." - Paris
PeacePlayers: Paris, you said that some people think that your background determines what you're going to achieve. But you said it's not true – that you can, push past that and and achieve any how. How does the person do that? What is it within a person that allows them to push past the pressures and expectations and things that are happening around them?
Paris: Well, for me. My family has a lot to do with that. Especially because I want to always better myself and I want better for my family. It's also to prove to all the people who said you can't, that you can. You just need to find that – I don't know what it is, but there's definitely something inside of you that pushes you to go further. I feel like that keeps me going.
Noma: And to add to what Paris said, it’s also your mindset. Because sometimes family can be there for you and sometimes you get discouraged because of various external reasons. But your mindset will keep you going if you have a good, positive and strong mindset, and believe in yourself. All of which are components to self-discipline. Self-discipline is crucial to push past pressures and expectations around you.
