Well-known South African rapper, Big Zulu was mocked by schoolkids for wearing trousers that exposed his bums.
So, he decided to drop out of school as he was tired of being embarrassed and laughed at.
The Awufuni Ukung’qoma hitmaker revealed that when he was at school, his family was so poor they couldn’t afford to buy him a decent school uniform.
Born Siyabonga Nene, the 38-year-old recalled the difficulties of his upbringing in his village, Bergville in KZN, and how he used to go to school with no shoes and no underwear on and wearing trousers that exposed his bums.
“I loved school because I wanted to change the situation at home. But it was hard for me to keep attending. I ended up hating going to school. Other kids used to laugh at me. My parents could not afford school uniform, even underwear.
“So, I’d go to school with torn pants, and I’d sometimes use papers to cover my behind so that my bums aren’t exposed. It was a difficult experience for me as a young boy,” said Big Zulu.
The rapper said he ended up skipping classes, sometimes even bunking school.
“I used to pretend I was going to school, but I’d instead camp near the river and go back home in the afternoon as if I was coming back from school. I did that the whole year, and my final year report would be written zero.
“That’s how I dropped out to avoid being made fun of by my peers, whose parents could afford to provide for them,” said Big Zulu, who could not tell which grade he last attended.
The Nkabi Records boss said he thanked God for granting him the singing talent.
“If I tell someone about my experience, they don’t believe me. I believe that they compare this life that I’m living right now and the life that I tell them I used to live.
“Today, I’m an ambassador for Carvela (shoe brand), I get other endorsements. I’m the boss of a big record label, I own cars and I’ve renovated my home into a very big home,” said Big Zulu.
Every year, Big Zulu donates school uniforms to needy kids, especially in rural areas as he understands the pain of being embarrassed and made fun of by other kids.
“My background has encouraged me to empower young stars in schools, to donate to kids from poor families so that they can be like others. I’d never make fun of a poor person, instead, I would offer them the help they need,” said Big Zulu.
-dailysun
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Former reality TV star, and singer Liyema Pantsi recently received R300 000 from her fans after bagging R250 000 from the Big Brother Mzansi reality TV show. The popular Big Brother Mzansi reality TV star Liema known as Queen of England received R550 000 this year, according to entertainment commentator Phil Mphela.
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