In 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chrisovalandi Coundouris, known as Valandi, earned a scholarship to attend Saheti School in Johannesburg.
At the time, he was living in Pretoria, which meant two hours of daily commuting and navigating early mornings, late evenings and demanding academic schedules.
I knew that if I didnt take the opportunity, I would be shooting myself in the foot, Valandi said. It wasnt easy, but I knew it was worth it.
