WITH no high school in his area and less than 10 percent of people pursuing a higher education, Shaan Thomas, 23, stands out in Riebeek West.
He spent more than three years interning at various institutions before he finally caught a break as a pharmaceutical assistant at Groote Schuur Hospital last year.
“Giving up never crossed my mind. Every internship taught me something new and brought me to where I am today,” Thomas said.
Thomas attended high school in Malmesbury, about 30km from where he lives, because there is no high school in the area.
After school Thomas, with a passion for medicine, received the opportunity of interning at the Swartland Hospital for nine months.
He did a pharmaceutical post-basics course with the hospital for two years, which involved studying and working. On completion, Thomas did a four-month internship at Wellington Hospital.
“I finally got a job at Groote Schuur Hospital in town, where I help with the manufacturing of medicines and ointments.”
Thomas shares a two-bedroom house in Riebeek West with 13 family members, including his wife and three siblings.
“Cape Town is very expensive for us young people starting out. I have looked at prices in Observatory, Mowbray and Woodstock, but I could never afford it.
"I also don’t really want to move because my family, and life, is here. I look after my parents and am their protector,” said Thomas, as his cousin passed a rugby ball to him.
“I support France, South African rugby is too full of politics.
“I will not be voting in this election. What is the point? Nothing has changed in this town since my parents were born. Now I am grown and they say it’s the same story. I will leave it to others to vote.”
The Electoral Commission said most of the new voter registrations for this local government election were young people.