Sandra does it by the book

Bruce Ndlovu
HAVING come under harsh criticisms because of her on stage persona for most of her career, Sandra Ndebele hopes that her academic ambitions will prove once and for all that she is a better person than has been regularly portrayed.

Ndebele this week learnt that she had passed her O-level Maths, which she sat for in November last year, with a grade B.

Consequently, she said that she had started looking at institutions of higher learning with the hopes of furthering her education.

While for others progressing with their academic studies brings a personal sense of fulfilment, for Ndebele it is also an opportunity to get one over detractors who have always questioned her morality over the years despite all her achievements.

a�?All these years I have had to deal with criticism and things that people say about me. A lot of things have been said and so I told myself I would lead by example and prove people wrong which is why this is such a big deal for me,a�? she said.

Ndebele added that since she burst on the scene, her life has been one constant struggle to prove that she was not as immoral as some critics tried to make her out to be. Academic achievement,A� she said, would go a long way in helping exorcise these demons of unfair scrutiny.

a�?Ever since my career started I have people who predicted the worst for my life but here we are years later and Ia��m no onea��s small house. Instead Ia��m married with three kids and all from one father.

a�?Furthering my studies is also about my children because they will grow up knowing that their mother is capable just like their father is,a�? she said.

The backlash she has been subjected to throughout her career has convinced Ndebele that for a woman to succeed, she has to quell criticism in a male-dominated industry with outstanding achievements. She went on to give an example of the discrimination that she and other female musicians were subjected to.

a�?In the past I have given the example of the Mahendere Brothers who could use secular music genres and dances in their shows and videos. If a female musician did that, like Fungisai did, she would be subjected to a barrage of criticism,a�? she said.

Ndebele said that her further education would also help her fit better in professional circles off the stage.

a�?I sit on a few boards and represent a few companies but the impression everyone has is that Sandra is just here because she is an artiste. It would be good to go there and know that I have a pretty solid CV supporting me and not just my name,a�? she said. .