A steep rise from the doldrums of poverty to the wings of a flourishing career as a legal eagle has seen former adult matriculant Marlon Koen propelling his way forward in the working world.
The Helenvale man is a proud product of the Northern Areas People Development Initiative (Napdi) second chance matric programme, having dropped out of high school in grade 11 at the age of 17.
It was not until a decade later, after working at mundane jobs and getting married in between, that Koen, 35, decided it was time to turn over a new leaf.
“I felt there was more to life than accepting things as they are,” Koen said.
“We all make mistakes, but it’s important to own up to them and realise that you’ve made a mistake.
“Sometimes mistakes provide you with an opportunity to start all over again.”
“I decided I wanted to study and better myself.”
Koen said he first heard about the adult matric programme in 2014 and enrolled.
“I had a goal in mind and went back to finish my matric because without it, and to a certain extent a degree, you can’t do much these days.”
After 18 months of adult schooling and six subjects later, his grade 12 certificate firmly in hand, the man who dodged the influence of his gangster peers on the streets of “Katanga” took his first step towards obtaining his law degree at Nelson Mandela University (NMU).
“Although I didn’t have financial support, I believed that this is what I wanted to do.”
Fortunes changed for the NSFAS-funded student, having completed his LLB in 2019 and articles in late 2021.
On the way to becoming an admitted attorney in October, Koen has found a new purpose.
He is determined to change the narrative around communities plagued by gangsterism, drug abuse and crime in the northern areas.
“I would like to start something called the ‘I Am Ready to Start: School of Greatness’, where I can take and walk a path with learners from broken homes and torn families.
“This is not just to speak to them at a one-off assembly, but mentor and walk alongside them.
“That is what happened to me — people came alongside me and provided me with hope.
“I want to give back in the same way by providing young people with a safe space where we can deal with issues.
“Whether it is giving them hope by assisting them with school work or other things, that is the bigger vision.”
Napdi’s second chance matric programme co-ordinator, Isaac Metembo, lauded Koen for his resilience.
Although it had been several years since they last had contact, Metembo recalled him as a determined student who worked relentlessly to achieve his goals.
“Marlon never missed a class,” Metembo said.
“He is not a big talker and we lost some contact. But [I believe] he is always available to give back.
“He will be our guest speaker when we register the new intake soon.”
HeraldLIVE
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