Marcel Adams is a goal-driven, first-generation student at Stellenbosch University. His innocent childhood was tainted by his environment, as he has fought gangsterism, trauma and murder throughout his life. However, Adams was determined to break the cycle in his family and, specifically, for himself.
The second-year Stellenbosch University (SU) education student, Marcel Adams, grew up in the heart of Clarke Estate, Elsies River. Under national lockdown restrictions, the 19-year-old returned home to the red-zone environment to continue his studies, which temporarily moved online.
Primary School: Childhood Trauma
In 2007 the excited, curious and playful Marcel Adams started schooling at Holy Trinity R.C Primary School, in Elsies River. Adams loved his teachers and built great relationships with them.
According to Adams, his primary school journey was great for the first three years.
“Primary [school] was a real roller coaster,” Adams explained.
But after the first three years, Adams experienced traumatic events that have changed his life.
“Primary school was where most of the traumatic things happened in my life. Yes, at a very young age,” Adams continued.
When Adams was nine-years-old, his uncle was shot and killed. His eldest brother, then 21, had witnessed the shooting.
“My eldest brother was the head witness in this case,” Adams said.
On 15 July 2010, Marcel Adams woke up thinking it would be a normal day for a grade four learner to get ready for school.
However, he woke up to the news of his brother’s death, who was shot at the age of 22.
“I remember waking up the one morning and my mother told me my brother is no longer with us,” Adams said.
His eldest brother’s death had a negative impact on the family life, and his middle brother got involved in gangsterism.
“We as humans are not the same. We don’t deal with situations the same. Sadly, he thought revenge will be an escape to all of this,” said Adams.
In March 2012, Marcel’s brother was accused of murder and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.According to Adams, a false witness was used against his brother.
The mother of the deceased came to their home to apologise for the wrongful conviction of his brother, explained Adams.
“He already lost time of his life sitting in jail and in fact has a record on his name,” said Adams.
In 2016 his father was gunned down and died in Tygerberg Hospital.
“I don’t wish it upon anyone seeing the person you love like that,” said Adams.
According to Adams, the route he took to primary school forced him to walk past the crime scene where his dad was shot.
After this reality, Adams was determined to finish school. He was not going to allow any of the tragic events to define his narrative.
“I was my mother’s fearless child. I decided to do everything to the best of my abilities. I am also the one she will always ask for advice or my opinion on something. I am her pillar of strength,” said Adams.
High school: A breath of fresh air
Adams started high school in 2014 with no psychological help for the traumatic experiences in his life. He surrounded himself with positive influences during high school and continued to focus on the goals.
“I was [a] monitor [class representative] from grade eight to twelve,” said Adams. In grade twelve, in 2018, he was a representative council leader.
“One of my teacher’s said that one will not believe that I went through so much trauma in my childhood. Right there, I discovered my personality – a smile keeper.”
According to Adams, the teachers taught him more than academic knowledge. They invested in him as he envisioned a better future for himself.
“They were the people that gave me the opportunity to serve my fellow students in high school. I guess they saw a burning desire in me wanting to serve people,” said Adams.
Becoming a Matie
He applied to SU, as he wanted to become a teacher. Acceptance into SU meant a lot for the Adams family, as Adams was a first-generation tertiary student.
At the beginning of 2019, he walked through the town Stellenbosch assured that this is where he belongs.
However, he found it challenging to adapt to the idea that he will be studying to become a primary school teacher as he always envisioned himself to be a high school teacher.
Adams explained that SU only offers a four-year degree to become a primary school teacher. He would then have to continue with an additional year of studies to do a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to be a high school teacher.
However, he has since decided to complete his four-year degree and become a primary school teacher.
“I realised in my first year that, no matter what, I am still becoming a teacher. And all teachers make a difference – no matter where they are,” Adams said.
In his first year he was elected as class representative and challenged himself by completing two short courses, one in education and leadership and the second in health and leadership, both at the Fredrick van Zyl Slabbert Institute (FVZS) at SU.
He was then juggling between academics and a leadership position.
As a second year, he served on the education student committee (ESC), where he was responsible for the portfolio of social impact. Currently, he is elected as the Chairperson of ESC 2020/2021.
Earlier this year he completed a short course on global citizenship, also at FVZS.
“My second year brought a balance between academics and my friendships. I would say campus family,” said Adams.
Online studies and the national lockdown
The global Covid-19 pandemic brought Adams back home to Elsies River and challenged him to study in an environment that has guns blazing in his street.
“You see everything in reality on the Cape Flats. I don’t want to say that I am used to the sound of gunshots, but that is the harsh reality of my community. For the time I have been home someone was shot cold-blooded near to the courts [where] I live,” said Adams.
It is almost seven months into the lockdown and Marcel Adams is determined to continue his studies throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I take the global pandemic very seriously, because it can affect anyone at any given time and that is a very serious matter,” said Adams.
First-generation student challenges
Being a first-generation student brings different challenges, and Adams says his mother does not understand that he is sitting in his room on the laptop all day.
“I appreciate the time with my family – even [under] these are the circumstances,” he said.
According to Adams, it is tough keeping his head above water in his community. Because of the violence, it is noisy when he has to study, and it is common to hear gunshots going off now and then.
However, he is trying. Adapting to online classes has been challenging, but he says he is grateful to be able to continue his studies.
“I realised in my first year that, no matter what, I am still becoming a teacher. And all teachers make a difference – no matter where they are.”
“This community let me experience the things that I believe one would usually read about in the newspaper. It also motivates me to strive for a better life and to give back to my community one day,” said Adams.
Adams believes that his faith has carried him through all his experiences in life and will continue to do so. He looks forward to hopefully returning to campus for a conducive environment for his studies and leadership positions.
