A Rotaracter Apart- Lindiwe Nhlamba

A Rotaractor Apart

 

This month we chat to Rotaractor Lindiwe Nhlamba. I am not usually one to shy away for a notebook and pen but on this occasion I was a bit sceptical. It was daunting and I felt I would not do her justice. She joined the club in October 2011, four months after it was founded. Ever since she has been a vital part of the Rotaract Club of Matopos, all charter members bear testimony to this. Now she is President-Elect and ready to take the reins in what is set to be another promising year for our dear Rotaract Club. So excuse me for being sceptical, I simply feel I will not do her justice.

The setting is a small cosy restaurant in Bulawayo. We sit down for coffee and watch one of those rich golden African sunsets (There really no sunset, I just thought that would sound poetic. Sorry, I sometimes get lost in the Literature). Lindiwe carries herself with the usual poise and shares her majestic smile. With the intention of not wasting any more time than I had to I got right to the interview after the usual niceties.

Me: Hi Lindi. Thanks for coming

Lindi: Thanks for having me

Me: I think firstly please do introduce us to Lindiwe

Lindi: Lindiwe is a spontaneous 23 year old lady currently studying Applied Physics at NUST (National University of Science and Technology). She likes meeting new people.

Me: One of the things I find fascinating about you is that you study Applied Physics. May you delve a little deeper into that? How did you come to choose to do that?

Lindi: Truthfully Applied Physics chose me. I intended to do Computer Science but then I was offered Applied Physics and then I decided to go for the degree program. It has been very rewarding. I am currently attached at the Meteorological Office. You do virtually anything that can involve physics in workplace like seismic monitoring and the like.

Me: And what do you intend to do in the future?

Lindi: I want to be a Systems Engineer. I find it very interesting. In this café for example I could generate a system that may let the waiters know that we are ready to order. The waiter may then relay a message to the chef about the order who in turn would relay a message when the order is ready. 

Me: Fascinating! You joined the club 4 months after it was founded. Tell us how you came to do so

Lindi: I was invited by Pamela Mukwena. I was initially in Interact so I liked the idea of carrying on with my work there. Then she told me about the budding new club of Matopos and here I am. 

Me: Do you have any general philosophy for life?

Lindi: Yes. You do not know what you can do until you try. I feel that often people limit themselves because they feel an objective is bigger than them but you can never really know what you are really capable of until you test yourself.

Me: So what does Lindi do for fun?

Lindi: Am I allowed to say that I spend time with my boyfriend?

Me: Yes, go right ahead.

Lindi: I spend time with my boyfriend. We go for braais. He likes those drag racing events so we go watch those together.

Me: And how long have you been together if I may ask?

Lindi: We’ve been together for 13 months now.

Me: As a student in Applied Physics, what equation do you think describes you the most?

Lindi: Mmmmmm….. I would say Schrodinger’s equation. The reason being that it seems very simple at first glance but it has been a gateway many scientific breakthroughs. A lot has been drawn from it and it has led to the discovery of many scientific phenomena

The Schrodinger equation plays the role of Newton's laws and conservation of energy in classical mechanics - i.e., it predicts the future behaviour of a dynamic system. It is a wave equation in terms of the wave-function which predicts analytically and precisely the probability of events or outcome. The detailed outcome is not strictly determined, but given a large number of events, the Schrodinger equation will predict the distribution of results.

Me: Interesting. Who inspires you?

Lindi: I am inspired by this Nigerian woman Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche

Me: How so?

Lindi: She points out that men should not bring women down just because they are women. A man should not be intimidated by a woman because she is climbing up the ranks. A real man should empower his woman and support her. He is supportive and is happy when his woman is successful and climbing up the ranks.

Me: It seems as if you are describing someone specific  

Lindi: Yes, I kind of am. He is very supportive. He is that kind of man

Me: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Lindi: (Pause)…. I don’t do much crazy stuff. I remember this one time though when I was at school and I went skinny-dipping……..

Images and Descriptions of Miss Lindiwe swimming in her birthday suit were intentionally omitted. Our posts should be suitable for all readers. As such they will be left entirely to the imagination of the readers 

Me: Now I would like to talk to talk to you in your capacity as President-Elect. What is your vision for the coming year?

Lindi: I would like to see Interact Clubs in Bulawayo being more involved. I feel that not a lot has been done for them. Having been an Interactor myself I know that a lot can be done to make their experience more interesting.

Me: And the Rotaract Club Of Matopos itself, where will we be in a year?

Lindi: The club will keep growing as it already is, I want to focus a lot on the Professional and Vocational side of things. I think that is where we are falling a bit short. So a lot of work will be done there.

Me: Life after Rotaract?

Lindi: Rotary

Me: So we can look forward to calling you Rotarian Lindi soon?

Lindi: Definitely. I look forward to getting into Rotary after this. 

Me: Do you do that on purpose?

Lindi: What?

Me: Your smile. I think I speak for the whole club when I say your smile can light up anyone’s day.

Lindi: (Smiles) Thanks and to answer that I don't I am just usually always in a good mood

Me: Thank you for gracing us with your presence. I am sure our readers will enjoy the article.

 

On that note the dialog I both anticipated and that had me nerve-wrecked ended. As with all encounters with Lindi she was very cordial.