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From left to right: Lt A. van der Merwe (SA Army Floating Trophy recipient),S Lt C. Manganyi (SA Navy Floating Trophy and Sword of Honour recipient) and Capt F. Easton (SA Military Health Service Floating Trophy recipient).

Sub Lieutenant Calvin Manganyi was born at Gandlanani in
Malamulele, Limpopo Province. He started his schooling
in 1990 at Ripindzi Primary and completed his matric in
2001 at Hlaluko High where he obtained an exemption with a distinction in Geography. After matric he stayed at home for two years due to financial constraints.

When asked what inspired him to join the SA Navy, he replied: "On my first day of school my shirt was torn, so my grandmother wanted to she took the needle book I saw a picture of a ship, but I did not know what it was. I asked my teacher the following day and she said to me it was a ship and explained that people work there. Since that day I was so interested in working on board a ship some day.
However, things changed as I grew up and I wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

"Owing to financial constraints following my father's retrenchment in 1991, I did not manage to go to a medical school. I was determined that I would make it because I gave my be whatever I did and God helps me to achieve all my goals.
Some people say that everything I touch turns platinum.
This stems from the fact that I was oncea photographer, a technician, a guitarist,and a bricklayer just before I was
called to serve in the SANDF.

"In all these fields I excelled and in none of them did I receive formal training. I cannot explain how all this happened. They were like gifts from God. But I do not believe that everything I do turns platinum. I believe that God has gifted different people with talents. Some are multi-talented, but we all have potential."

Since his primary education S Lt Calvin Manganyi has excelled in his studies. He joined the SA Navy in 2004 and completed Basic Training at SAS SALDANHA, after which he went for Officer's Formative at the South African Naval College in Gordon's Bay.       

S Lt Manganyi is just one of the many young South Africans who had good matric results, but no financial back-up for tertiary education. He was delighted to join the military, particularly the SA Navy.
"Firstly I thank God for taking care of me, my parents(especially my mom, Mphemphu Sophie Chauke, and my grandmother, N'wa Xirhami) and the South African Government for giving a chance to the youth like me to further their studies and at the same time to serve their country diligently and professionally and for being able to help their families.   The youth of today are the future of tomorrow and investing in the youth is the best investment the country can make."

When asked what motivated him, S Lt Manganyi replied: "My motivation comes from my background, from what I have and what I left behind. If you know where you come from, then you know where to go. If I do not succeed in what I do, what will happen to me? I push myself to the limit. On my arrival at the Military Academy things were difficult given the fact that I still had to work for my contract".

S Lt Calvin Manganyi has received the following awards:

• The Sanlam Floating Trophy - the Best Student in
  Security and Africa Studies (SAS)
• SA Navy Floating Trophy - Best SA Navy Student
• The Sword of Honour - the Best Student Overall
  (which combines both military prowess and academic work).

When asked how he felt about receiving all these awards, he replied: "I did not expect it. But as they say in Xitsonga 'Mintirho ya vulavula' which means work talks.

To those who are coming after, know that nothing is impossible with God, hard work, dedication and belief. To the junior Naval Officers: know that you are the cream of the crop and wear that uniform with pride in order to lift the naval profile higher and show that it is really the Navy for the People.

As Lt Gen Temba Mantanzima said: '(to) the Sword of Honour winner, in particular, let me say that your achievement, a combination of academic work and military prowess, is an example to all of us' - let this be an example for junior officers".

S Lt Manganyi is the first Black SA Navy student to receive the Sword of Honour, the second Black person to receive the SA Navy Floating Trophy and the first to continue with honours in SAS on a full-time basis at the Military Academy, which is the Faculty of Military Science at Stellenbosch University.

Source: http://www.dod.mil.za/