I am Andile Mengu, a 17 year old boy, born on 25 February 1994. I started my lower grades at Fikizolo Public Primary School, from Grade R to Grade 5. I then went to Adelaide (Eastern Cape) to continue school from Grade 6 to Grade 7. I was only there for a year then I came back to Grahamstown to live with my mother and father. In primary school I was captain of the cricket team.

I live with my mother, sister and twin brothers. My father passed away last year on 26th May.

I am now at Nathaniel Nyaluza High School. Last year in Grade 10 I chose to do the following subjects: Pure Maths, Physics, Biology and Geography. When I get to university or technikon I want to study Information Technology.

When I grow up I want to be a Liquid Engineer, working with an oil company. I am truly looking forward to achieving my dream. I am a self-sufficient person.

I joined the Upstart Plus group this year. My intention was to show that I am not just a learner, but also a young poet. Poetry inspires me. There is a lot that I’ve learnt from being part of the poetry group such as how to write a poem and how to structure poetry.

My friends like me because I enjoy cracking jokes with them. My friends and I started a Hip-Hop dance group which is called OUTCAST 4.1.0. I love hip-hop dance as well as poetry because I am able to express myself as a performer in both of them.