Sthembile Mngwengwe is a 40-year-old woman from South Africa who has achieved her dream of earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). What makes her story remarkable is that she worked as a cleaner at the same university for 14 years before becoming a student there.
Sthembile graduated from high school in 1998 and wanted to pursue higher education, but her parents could not afford to send her to college. She started working as a cleaner at UKZN in 2018 and took advantage of the opportunity to study there for free. However, it was not an easy journey for her, as she had to balance work and studies while being out of school for nearly 20 years.
“Balancing work and studies gave me a lot of stress,” she told News24. “But if you work hard and pray to God, He will help you to achieve what you want.”
Sthembile used her good time management skills to juggle her responsibilities and complete her degree. She said that working at the university and seeing the professors’ offices she often cleaned inspired her to pursue higher education. She also said that being on campus and seeing other students attend classes motivated her to be one of them.
“I was motivated by being on campus too, seeing students walking up and down going to their lecture theatres to attend classes made me wish to be them,” she said.
Sthembile also received support from her daughter and colleagues who encouraged her along the way. She hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams regardless of their age or circumstances.
“No matter how old you are you can still fulfill your dreams,” she said. “Age is just a number — look at me completing my first degree at the age of 40. It’s a blessing and I’m so proud of myself.”
Sthembile is an example of perseverance, determination and hard work. She has shown that nothing is impossible if you have a goal and a passion for learning. She has also shown that education can transform lives and open new doors of opportunity.
Sthembile Mngwengwe is not just a cleaner, she is a graduate, a role model and a hero.
We at Rising Africa are proud to share the inspiring story of Sthembile, who has shown us that with determination, hard work, and perseverance, nothing is impossible. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
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