Meet Dr Langa Twala - A Crawford Lonehill alumni taking quality healthcare to South Africa’s rural citizens Current occupation: Medical Doctor at the Tzaneen Mediclinic Hospital and Peacemed Medical Centre Further studies & qualifications: MBChB - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery – University of Cape Town Post graduate qualifications in Basic and Essential Surgical Skills, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Paediatric Life Support. Currently reading towards an Ophthalmology specialization From the classroom to the operating room, Dr. Langa Twala’s journey from Crawford International Lonehill to the forefront of rural healthcare is nothing short of inspirational. Graduating with an impressive 8 distinctions in 2013, Langa wasted no time in pursuing his passion for medicine, earning his MBChB from the University of Cape Town in 2020. After completing his internship and community service, he now serves at Tzaneen Mediclinic Hospital and Peacemed Medical Centre, where he brings hope and healing to underserved rural communities. His work fuels his deep commitment to serving others. “As a medical professional, I pride myself on working in a rural setting where access to quality care is limited. It’s an honour and privilege to be a part of so many big moments in people’s lives, from the birth of a child to the passing of a loved one,” Langa reflects. On his Crawford journey Langa credits the quality of education and the support of his teachers and peers at Crawford International Lonehill in preparing him for life in the real world. “It is often said that a good high school should prepare you for post school studies, however Crawford - in many ways - prepared me for life. In addition to the high standard of academics, the guiding principles instilled in me at Crawford have stood the test of time.” Throughout his school career, Langa loved the individuality and autonomy that students were instilled with. “I was fully aware that I was captain of my own fate and responsible for my outcomes, which taught me a great deal of self-discipline. As I transitioned from high school to university, I never got the sense that I was drowning or that the jump to varsity was too big. Teachers and management staff in Crawford offered support even beyond the classroom. The care and interest that they showed encouraged me to choose a life of service as well, which I have never regretted.” As SRC President at Crawford, Langa was instrumental in launching the very first ‘Crawford’s Got Talent’, an event run by and for the students, with all proceeds going to charity. The support received from the staff was immense, and Langa had no idea how mammoth a task it would be to coordinate so many moving parts. This invaluable experience empowered him with valuable skills that he would use long into his tenure as Health Sciences Students Council (HSSC) Chairperson at UCT. Making a difference while at med school Langa’s leadership abilities only grew at UCT, where he chaired the Health Sciences Students Council and sat on upwards of 10 university leadership structure committees, including with the Vice Chancellor. He also contributed to the reigniting of the Mayosi Impilo Student Bursary Fund in his tenure as HSSC Chairperson at UCT - the fund has since continued running strong through the commitment of many stakeholders, ensuring future generations of healthcare professionals have the support they need. Langa’s leadership has earned him both local and international accolades, including the prestigious Kerry Capstick-Dale Leadership Award. Langa’s proudest achievement stems from his various leadership roles at UCT and seeing the doctors and therapists who today are serving their communities in part because he played a small a role in ensuring they were not financially or academically excluded through helping to reform policies. What’s next? Looking ahead, Langa dreams of expanding his reach in healthcare, specifically by bringing much-needed eye surgeries to rural areas. “Being able to give the gift of sight would be incredible,” he says. Soon to be married, Langa’s personal goals are just as meaningful as his professional ones - hoping to be a loving husband, devoted family man, best son and brother to his siblings. When he is not serving and caring for people in hospital, he is serving them as a minister in his church congregation.  Personal reflections To current Crawford students, Langa offers this advice: “Make the best use of your time and the resources that you have at your disposal at Crawford. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience surrounding you, but it needs you to tap into it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid not to know every answer, even about yourself or where you want to go. Be anchored by your principles and the people around you who are in your corner and want to help you succeed. Also remember, there are many different variations of success.” Dr. Langa Twala is the embodiment of Crawford’s values – a solid work ethic, compassion, accountability and leadership. His journey reminds us that the impact we can make in people’s lives is limitless.

This month’s Alumnus Spotlight features Sean Musgrove, a 2017 matriculant of Crawford International Lonehill. We had the pleasure of catching up with Sean to learn about his journey since leaving Crawford, his cherished memories, and his aspirations for the future. Read on to find out how his experiences have shaped his career and personal growth. Matric Year: 2017 What have you been up to since matriculating from Crawford International? Straight out of Crawford, I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate Honours at the University of Pretoria in Business and Marketing Management. I am now currently doing my Postgraduate Diploma in Financial planning, remotely through the University of the Free State. How has your experience at Crawford International influenced your career or personal growth? I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single day I spent at Crawford from Grade 000 to Matric. Both professionally and personally, my teachers and peers throughout my schooling career have taught me lessons that have shaped where I am today. Can you share a memorable moment or lesson from your time at Crawford International? Where do I begin! As cliche as it may sound, there are way too many memories and lessons to name. I think the first thing that comes to mind, was experiencing and participating in all the unique and student executive run events. The Mr and Mrs Crawford event, Annual 5A Side Soccer tournament, Valentine’s Day Assembly, and Matric Assembly were awesome. The surprise “experiment” in Grade 9, of separating boys and girls for certain classes, also was an epic time! What advice would you give to current students or recent matriculants? ⁠Work hard, play hard—but perhaps not in the way you might think! During and after school, it's easy to become stressed about the workload ahead, whether it's studying or job responsibilities, he chuckles, “and trust me, it never ends!”. It's crucial to prioritise your tasks to achieve your goals. However, it's equally important to take time for yourself and engage in activities that bring you happiness and joy, helping you to momentarily escape the stresses of life. How are you making an impact in your field or community? ⁠I currently work as a Wealth Advisor at PSG Wealth, where I strive to build valuable and trustworthy relationships with all my clients. My goal is to provide sound financial advice to improve their lives. Personally, I aim to keep challenging myself while enjoying every moment to the fullest. What are your future goals or aspirations? After completing my postgraduate studies in financial planning, I aim to write the Chartered Financial Planning board exam in 2025. I also am looking forward to completing my first ultra marathon and full Ironman in 2025 and 2026 respectively! When asked about anything specific from his Crawford experience that he still carries with him today, he quipped with a laugh, "Besides the 2016 Mr Crawford title? Just joking!" He went on to say that he truly cherishes the special relationships and friendships he formed with both his peers and teachers.

Learn about Deborah Weber's inspiring journey as a Crawford International alumna.

Alumnus: Diolan Govender School: Crawford International La Lucia College Year: 2019 CENTRE STAGE WITH DIOLAN GOVENDER Diolan Govender’s passion for the arts was cultivated during his time at Crawford International, and since leaving school he has embarked on a successful acting career that has taken him to national and international stages and to the most famous of small screens. 1. Can you tell us about your time at Crawford International, and how it influenced your path toward acting? My years at Crawford International La Lucia College were truly formative. The school fostered an environment that encouraged creativity and self-expression, which played a significant role in shaping my interest in the arts. I was involved in numerous school productions, which ignited my passion for acting. Teachers and peers at Crawford provided invaluable support and encouragement, helping me build the confidence I needed to pursue my career. 2. You have a stutter, did this influence you at all? As a shy child, I spoke quickly, often struggling with a severe stutter and conversations were a challenge. On stage, however, I found my voice without hesitation or stutter. It was a place where my words flowed effortlessly. 3 . Wow, that is fantastic. You received some wonderful opportunities while at school? Apart from a brilliant education, Crawford’s tag line ‘Every Child a Masterpiece’ was an inspiration to me. They pushed me towards my talents. In addition to drama school training as a child, I also studied at the New York Film Academy for a summer course in 2015. I was also fortunate to land a presenter gig on YoTV! 4. What did your future hold after school? After completing my education at Crawford, I pursued further studies at the University of Witwatersrand. I recognised the importance of honing my craft and enhancing my skills to excel in the competitive world of entertainment. My post-school studies included intensive acting training, workshops and mentorship programmes, all of which played a pivotal role in shaping me into the actor I am today. 5. What were some of the hurdles you faced and how did you overcome them? Transitioning from high school to the professional world of acting was indeed challenging. One of the biggest hurdles was the uncertainty of the industry. Acting is highly competitive and rejection is a part of the journey. It took time to build a thick skin and learn not to take rejection personally. I focused on continuous improvement. I attended acting classes, and auditions regularly. Networking is so crucial and building relationships within the industry opened doors to opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. 6. Congratulations on your recent role on Netflix! Can you tell us a bit about the project and your character? Thank you! It’s been an incredible experience. I play the role of Shaan, a charismatic, yet selfish individual in the Netflix teen comedy series, Miseducation. My character is a complete contrast to me in real life - Shaan's quite the jerk. 7. Netflix is known for its global reach. How does it feel to be part of a platform that is watched by audiences all around the world? it’s incredibly thrilling and humbling. Netflix’s global reach means that my work can be seen by people from all walks of life, from different cultures and backgrounds. It’s a reminder of the power of storytelling to connect people, and it’s an honour to contribute to such a great script and depict the character on such a massive scale. 8. What drew you to this particular project? While I initially auditioned for the lead role of Jay, I was cast as Shaan. Reading Shaan’s script, I was captivated by the storytelling and his multi-layered character. Shaan’s complexity isn’t all explicitly shown, allowing viewers to piece together his story as he intertwines with Jay’s journey as a university student at Makhanda University, exploring his identity and sexuality. 9. How did you prepare for your role? Preparation is key in acting. To connect with Shaan, I spent time researching the character and working closely with the director to understand their vision for the character. Once the groundwork is done, we collaborate and finetune the performance through ensuring a cohesive and compelling narrative. 10. What advice would you give to aspiring actors, especially those who are just starting their journey? Be persistent and passionate. This industry can be tough, and rejection is part of the process, but don’t let it deter you. Keep honing your craft through classes and workshops. Build a strong support network of mentors, peers and industry professionals who can guide and inspire you. Be open to feedback and criticism, it’s how you’ll improve. Stay true to your self and your unique voice. The world of acting needs diverse perspectives and talents, so embrace your individuality and try use it to your advantage. 11. What does the future hold for you? Hopefully many more diverse and challenging roles that will leave a lasting impact on the world of entertainment. I’m committed to grow and interpret storytelling of various topics. It can only be a promising career ahead if I continue to work hard and lead by example. 12. If you are not on the stage or practicing your craft, what do you enjoy doing? I immerse myself in my other endeavours such as public relations, where I work with an exciting client portfolio and ensure that I'm up to date with all academic commitments. My love for the arts extends beyond acting, presenting, and content creation, fuelling a multifaceted creative spirit.

FROM LAW SCHOOL TO THE FITNESS INDUSTRY: AN INSPIRING JOURNEY

The Journey of Marianthe Panas in the world of Musical Theatre

Flying in Finance – Lexi Panas 

Chartering Life with Yunus Essop

Dear Crawfordians, Staff and Community,