by: bongo blessing jwaqa
“I was born in Grahamstown, but if you’re looking for an ethnical background I can’t say where I actually come from,” shared Nazeem as I conducted an interview with him at dusk with the unfortunate circumstance of load shedding. “My mom is from Grahamstown and my dad’s family originated in Italy.” Even in the dimly lit room, Nazeem’s character shone brightly. A young man with a warm-hearted nature, and an unquenchable love for God, his family and rugby. His love interests stem as far as him having a significant other. He may be of Italian descent but Nazeem is such a romantic that it’s easy to confuse him with the French. Throughout the interview he presented a great level of eye contact, showing his intimate nature and confidence given the circumstance. His ability to have a laugh here and there assisted with relaxing the atmosphere. His broad frame doesn’t hinder him from showcasing his dance moves (so he says). However, all that glitters is not always gold. Though Nazeem can be described as a vibrant breath of fresh air, he admits to having an issue with his temper. That aside, there are elements of secrecy coupled with an insecurity I was able to pick up during, and outside the interview.
A product of Grahamstown and all that it embodies, Nazeem acknowledges that the town that he lives in is boring. However, it is great in terms of socialising with people from different backgrounds. I was curious to know what it was like growing up in a small town with limited resources, yet having an internationally recognised institution sharing the space. Nazeem feels that Rhodes University is undoubtedly responsible for most of the town’s wealth and growth, and that the town would eventually still be able to run without Rhodes. “The presence of such an institution in your town means creates pressures,” he says quite passionately. Elaborating his point, he began to clench his fists and give slightly less eye contact, saying that he felt indirectly pressured to pursue tertiary education. There were reasons for this beyond Rhodes, such as wanting to prove to his mother’s side - who were never given the opportunity to go to university - that he could achieve it. On his more privileged father’s side, it was about continuing the legacy of all the men going to university. His father being a doctor had its own pressures. Perhaps the little bit of insecurity comes from these indirect pressures. I recall him asking me if I would feel embarrassed being in the extended studies program, showing that education is the metric for status in his mind. His father is a huge inspiration to him: a doctor, a husband and an invested father. Nazeem feels that he is blessed to have such a great role model in his life. There is a sense of pride in his voice the more he speaks of his father. “I have always felt like I could tell him anything.”
“What is the one quality that best describes you?” I ask. “My confidence,” he eagerly responds. “I think I am very confident and sometimes I can honestly be too confident.” Nazeem believes his father is where he inherited this confident nature. “He’s been a very influential part of my life, academically and socially.” Nazeem is a very career-driven young man, a dreamer with hopes of being in the business industry and some market-changing ideas for the future.
Nazeem is certainly no stranger to the dating scene. In fact, when I asked him about his future, he spoke not only of his business endeavours, but how close he wishes to be with his girlfriend once she finishes her pharmacy degree and he has completed his honours. They are currently both at Rhodes and after one year and eight months together, their future is already being planned. He carries his heart on his sleeve - perhaps another reason for his short temper (something he has identified and is working on).
The final thing Nazeem shared with me was his experience when he went to Italy. Though it was his first time, he felt at home. A gentleman inside and out and heavily influenced by his father and his heritage, Nazeem is truly an Italian-African Original. The face of the diversity at Rhodes and in the new South Africa.
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