PROFILE
Sightless but
Visionary
Deliwe Msibi
An academic, alumni award nominee, instrumentalist,
and a member of the Vaal Campus community. Hendrik Steyn gives us insight on his achievements and his
tenth year at the Vaal Campus, which is a significant ten
years as it is the University’s tenth anniversary. Hendrik
is proud of the life he leads as a blind man, more so as
a human being; and dreams of becoming the director
of the newest Disability Unit in order to help make life
easier for the disabled people around the campus.
Hendrik lets us in on what being an alumnus means. He
believes it means, to still be in contact with the people
one studied with and the lecturers that taught you, seeing the university grow to greater heights, to experience
the developments of this university from first hand and
becoming part of the bigger picture.
with no help from a domestic worker. They choose their
own clothes to wear and if you, like me are wondering
how, He says “when I go shopping, I chose clothes with
colours that go together; and my wife happens to do the
same”.
To other people living with a disability, He emphasises
that they must take pride in their accomplishments and
realise that what they might take for granted is not given
to others. “You should make the best of your abilities
and not stress about things you do not have any control
over. Instead, you should be the best you can be and by
doing so, change your world for the better,” says Hendrik.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HENDRIK STEYN
• He plays any woodwind musical instrument
• He likes to sharpen cutting objects e.g. knifes and scissors
• He drives for fun, with a navigator
• His favourite meal is ‘pap and vleis’- that is pap and
some good meat.
• His motto in life- a man who learns from one person
goes through life blind
Hendrik and NWU Vaal
His journey with the Vaal Campus began in 2004, when
he was a first year student; he claims to be the very first
blind student of the Vaal Campus. “It has been 10 years
since I have been part of this beautiful University; I lived
in Thuthuka Residence until I finished my Honours in
Language Practice in 2007 “ He says.
When asked what legacy he would like to leave behind,
he says he would like to leave behind a legacy of trust,
honesty and workmanship. “All for one and one for all”
he says and further explains his statement by saying all
for one means; everyone must do their part ion Campus,
and see it develop and grow bigger every day. One for
all means the Campus has a responsibility to the people
working in it, to provide them with job security, freedom
to grow in their career, as well as comfortable working
environments.
History of Love
He met his wife Jacky Steyn in school; they lost contact
from each other after completing secondary school, and
then met again in 2007. Their wedding anniversary is
on 1 April. Jacky is currently a Psychology student at
the North West-University Vaal Triangle Campus and is
also blind.
When talking about his disability, this family man is calm
and laughs about it. He says “I am blind yes, but in this
life time, you have only one life to live”. With this, he
implied that in that life you always have a choice; the
only time you do not have one is when you choose not
to have one.
Hendrik and Jacky do their own laundry and cleaning,
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