Mpumelelo Malumo is a witty young man who has become a huge part of many a first year’s life due to his loyal, easy-going nature. These characteristics are not hidden beneath a “hard-core” exterior as most eighteen year-old men possess. His off-beat humour and fantastic smile, which hardly ever fades, give rise to his popularity amongst most who meet him. While he is proud of his name, he prefers to be called ‘Lolo’ as “even I find my real name difficult to say after a Wednesday Cane Train at Union”.
Lolo refers to his childhood as “nomadic” due to the fact that his divorced father who he lived with during his school days moved around from Zambia (where he was born) to England, then Tanzania and finally to South Africa. He is extremely happy here in Grahamstown as he can at last write down an almost-permanent postal address. He only has one sibling who he misses terribly; a twelve year-old sister who he describes as having more brains than anyone he’s ever known. “I wish I could be as smart as her – she speaks four languages, you know!” he exclaims as he orders another Coca-Cola from the pretty blonde waitress. He gives her a charming smile with his perfect teeth exposed, not through years of braces but rather through “good genes”. When asked about special friendships he’s developed through his time at Rhodes University, he speaks of a diverse group of friends who have been there to support him through every tough time as well as through the not-so-tough times. He tells me about a ‘brother” here with him who he’s been friends with since before he was known as Lolo. Josh Martin, another loyal Rhodent decides to phone his friend at this exact moment – is it telepathy? When asked whether he’s got a thing for blondes, he goes silent and his smile turns to a stern smirk. This young man is however a drama student so one can never be too sure if he’s just pulling one’s leg or not. He can’t keep a straight face for long though and soon his smile is back while he answers the posed question with a cheeky, “Maybe.”
Lolo matriculated from Maritzberg College last year although his schooling career was somewhat complicated due to his father’s continuous job-changing antics. Lolo was more of a jock than a drama student at school having played rugby, soccer and cricket. While we sit at the Rat and Parrot, every second person stops to greet him allowing one to understand why he wants to be a journalist – he is inquisitive and prefers to ask rather than be asked. He hardly ever speaks to his friends about his own life but rather enquires about theirs. Lolo doesn’t want to be a normal hard-news journalist though; he wants to be a presenter on E! Entertainment Television instead and follow in the footsteps of Ryan Seacrest, his hero. He started out wanting to be a doctor but got over that idea quickly when “I realised that I was definitely not a maths or science- boff.”
Lolo Malumo is definitely destined to be great. His energising persona and infectious laughter are sure to guarantee him a bright future. That’s if he ever actually leaves Rhodes; “I might just become a professional student like Van Wilder. Wow, that’d be cool!” Even though his life has been nothing near to perfect, he is determined to make the most of his opportunity and enjoy every moment. This man parties hard, works hard but “hangs harder”. Like what you read, or are you blonde? Then check out Lolo’s blog profile at http://www.blogger.com/profile/00500812868585339453.
Lolo refers to his childhood as “nomadic” due to the fact that his divorced father who he lived with during his school days moved around from Zambia (where he was born) to England, then Tanzania and finally to South Africa. He is extremely happy here in Grahamstown as he can at last write down an almost-permanent postal address. He only has one sibling who he misses terribly; a twelve year-old sister who he describes as having more brains than anyone he’s ever known. “I wish I could be as smart as her – she speaks four languages, you know!” he exclaims as he orders another Coca-Cola from the pretty blonde waitress. He gives her a charming smile with his perfect teeth exposed, not through years of braces but rather through “good genes”. When asked about special friendships he’s developed through his time at Rhodes University, he speaks of a diverse group of friends who have been there to support him through every tough time as well as through the not-so-tough times. He tells me about a ‘brother” here with him who he’s been friends with since before he was known as Lolo. Josh Martin, another loyal Rhodent decides to phone his friend at this exact moment – is it telepathy? When asked whether he’s got a thing for blondes, he goes silent and his smile turns to a stern smirk. This young man is however a drama student so one can never be too sure if he’s just pulling one’s leg or not. He can’t keep a straight face for long though and soon his smile is back while he answers the posed question with a cheeky, “Maybe.”
Lolo matriculated from Maritzberg College last year although his schooling career was somewhat complicated due to his father’s continuous job-changing antics. Lolo was more of a jock than a drama student at school having played rugby, soccer and cricket. While we sit at the Rat and Parrot, every second person stops to greet him allowing one to understand why he wants to be a journalist – he is inquisitive and prefers to ask rather than be asked. He hardly ever speaks to his friends about his own life but rather enquires about theirs. Lolo doesn’t want to be a normal hard-news journalist though; he wants to be a presenter on E! Entertainment Television instead and follow in the footsteps of Ryan Seacrest, his hero. He started out wanting to be a doctor but got over that idea quickly when “I realised that I was definitely not a maths or science- boff.”
Lolo Malumo is definitely destined to be great. His energising persona and infectious laughter are sure to guarantee him a bright future. That’s if he ever actually leaves Rhodes; “I might just become a professional student like Van Wilder. Wow, that’d be cool!” Even though his life has been nothing near to perfect, he is determined to make the most of his opportunity and enjoy every moment. This man parties hard, works hard but “hangs harder”. Like what you read, or are you blonde? Then check out Lolo’s blog profile at http://www.blogger.com/profile/00500812868585339453.
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