While the realistic picture of teenage pregnancy is always a grim one within our country, one that can potentially be riddled by various social issues, a second chance is always available on the other side of this “problem”. A chance to create a meaningful life. 

 

Just like in Dr Thandeka Ngcobo’s story, who fell pregnant at a tender age of 18 years old whilst completing her grade 12 examination but fought hard against the odds to achieve her dream of being a doctor. 

 

The now 30-year-old found out about her pregnancy towards her final exams, and as the head girl and a young christian – those three elements were enough to bring with them unspeakable pressures and shame. 

 

But the goal was one, to create a better life for herself and now her daughter. 

 

“I knew I had to work 10 times harder than what I was doing already. I obtained six distinctions and one B, so that meant I was a step closer to realising the dream of being a doctor.”

 

The new world of varsity, with a big tummy, proved to be a scary one for her. To top it all off, her parents didn’t know of her pregnancy – only for her to reveal it in her last trimester. To say her pregnancy journey was a difficult one would be an understatement. 

 

“Varsity was one of the most stressful times that I had to endure. At some point, I felt like maybe I shouldn’t pursue my dream anymore,” she said.

 

 

And that is what mostly happens for the many teens in South Africa who find themselves pregnant. Giving up on their dreams before even starting because life deals them difficult cards. This scourge that our country is faced with, where nearly one in four girls become pregnant before the age of 20 – according to a World Health Organisation report released during Mzansi’s pregnancy week, the results are many women settling for a life that is less than what they had dreamt of.  

 

This is one of the many dream killers that have crippled our South African youth, coupled with its financial woes. 

 

Dr. Ngcobo did not get to raise her daughter, with her mother taking full responsibility over her grandchild, and that on its own brought about guilt of seemingly not taking responsibility for her own offspring. Looking past the emotions, the guilt and the physical struggles, the good doctor had to keep focus.

 

And in no way is Dr Ngcobo promoting teenage pregnancy, “it is one decision that almost crippled me, so I could never promote it. But the reality is that, once it happens, many young ladies give up on their dreams. I want my story to show them that there is a second chance on the other side of this ‘mistake’.  

 

“And I think it’s time as a society we empower our girls to make different choices that will either sway them away from falling pregnant or picking themselves up once they have. There is a second chance on the other side of this,” she said.

 

Dr Ngcobo got married last year and is expecting her second baby. 

 

“This pregnancy is so much different from my first. It’s like I am experiencing a lot of firsts that I am embracing. I have a chance to go for my antenatal check ups, something I only did twice in my first pregnancy. I was clueless with everything that entails the visits and seeing the baby grow inside of me. I got to go shopping for the baby and really experience the joys of the journey,” she said. 

 

Ultimately, the message she is spreading is that when something unplanned happens – it is not the end of the world. 

 

“One thing you shouldn’t do is repeat the same mishaps but instead take the lessons that come with it. Remember that you can be anything you want to be and that education is a great doorway to achieving your dreams,” she said.