My name is Thulani Sigonya from Upington in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. I was raised by a single mother alongside my younger brother who is currently in his 12th and last grade of high school. I am currently a full-time senior masters student at the University of the Western Cape in Cape conducting my studies in Political Science specializing in International Relations and Foreign Policy. I am a two-time international debator; 11th Cornell University International Model United Nations debate Conference in 2012 and the Asia World Model United Nations Conferences 2019. In represented South Africa at both conferences. I am an avid academic, writer (reports, research papers, short stories and poetry), I enthuse myself with education and skills development.

I am also currently the science and journalism intern under NRF/SAASTA at our local community radio station in Upington;i.e. Radio Riverside, where I compile news articles for the newsroom. I am also a part-time radio presenter and producer at the station. I foresee a career at the United Nations hence my academic career choice in IR. I am very passionate, keen to learn, always up for a challenge and know the value i add wherever i find myself to be.