I Johannes Hlagane Mpho Mehlape, am the fourth and last born child of Maria Mokopanyane Huma-Mehlape and the late Jonas Mmapatla Mehlape. I was born at Ekangala in our local clinic. When I was growing up, at approximately the age of 3-4, I had a kinetic problem which prevented me from walking for almost two years.

I attend the Catholic Church and I started my pre-school at our local church’s pre-school called St Theresa Educare centre and graduated in 2001. I started my primary school in 2002 at Sihluziwe Primary School and in 2003 a tragedy struck me as my father passed away in September.

That really affected me psychologically as I couldn’t accept that loss in my life. I continued with my primary education till I passed my grade 7 in 2008. And at the annual grade 7 award ceremony I received three awards for best natural science, best home language (Sepedi) and third place in Sepedi.

I then enrolled to Strauss Secondary for my secondary education and went all the way to grade 12. During the year there were awards in the first term; I received awards for Best Achiever in Geography, a distinction in Life Orientation and 2nd position in the whole grade 12. In the second term I received one award for 6th position in the whole grade 12 and in the third term I got an award for 7th position plus a distinction in Life Orientation. In the fourth term I got 7th position and I matriculated with an admission to a Bachelor’s degree and a distinction in Life Orientation.

I then applied at TUT to study a National Diploma in Veterinary Technology in which I’m currently doing my second year in.