Zulu Dreams: From Apartheid to the Ivy League

LAS VEGAS - March 29, 2014 - PRLog -- “Zulu Dreams, From Apartheid to the Ivy League” is the memoir of Richman Mahlangu; a man born during apartheid in South Africa who escaped the country on the merits of his tennis game, education and fierce determination.

Mahlangu’s story begins in South Africa in a small village called Dannhauser.  He lived on a farm and was the youngest of five children.  His life and the life of his family were not easy, and it became immensely more difficult for them with the sudden and tragic passing of his father when Richman was only thirteen.

Even with all of the obstacles Mahlangu faced, he knew at a very young age he wanted to move to America and rescue his family from the apartheid of South Africa. The same year he lost his father was the year that Mahlangu discovered his love and passion for tennis.  Mahlangu spent day after day hitting a tennis ball against a wall with a racket that had broken strings.  It was this daily dedication that got him noticed by a white English tennis coach, who offered to coach Mahlangu for free.  He studied hard and practiced tennis three to four hours everyday after school.  It was this hard work and dedication that earned him a tennis scholarship to the University of Nevada Las Vegas. At UNLV, Mahlangu earned his bachelor’s degree and he later completed his Master’s Degree in Education Psychology.

Mahlangu’s book, “Zulu Dreams” is something that he always knew he wanted to write.  He wanted people to understand his struggle and how important education is in achieving one’s goals. He feels that it can be the key to escaping poverty.  “I hope Zulu Dreams will influence other kids during their struggles and that it will promote the importance of education,” Mahlangu said.

Mahlangu’s hard work and love for the game of tennis manifested in his two sons, Nicholas and Yannik.  Mahlangu taught them the game and stressed the importance of education and the possibilities it can bring into one’s life.  Nicholas is currently attending Harvard and Yannik received a tennis scholarship to Georgetown University.

Mahlangu’s story speaks of the struggle of overcoming cultural adversity and how the game of tennis became his ticket to a new life, in a new world.  But even more importantly, “Zulu Dreams” is about a man who refused to accept the fate he was dealt. “When we are faced with difficulties in our lives, it is important that we do not see ourselves as victims of our circumstances,” said Mahlangu. “We must believe that we have the ability to overcome our difficulties.”

With the passing of Nelson Mandela it is important that people do not forget his struggles and the struggles of the people of South Africa.  “Zulu Dreams” is a true story of the triumph over poverty and circumstance.  Mahlangu looks forward to book signings and future public speaking events to share his inspirational life journey.