Good Samaritans show up and show off for domestic workers’ big day

Amanda Solani was determined not to let financial constraints prevent her from celebrating her graduation day.

She said she was stressed as her big day was approaching when she decided to reach out to the Fourways community for help. She admits she didn’t need much – her main priority was finding the ideal graduation gown and a stunning dress.

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However, the Fourways community went above and beyond to provide her with so much more to make her dream come true –leaving Solani overwhelmed with gratitude for their kindness.

“After all my hard work I knew I had to attend the celebration. I wanted to celebrate my achievement in a dignified manner and I did. I will never forget it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would look so ravishing.

“I got the dress from someone in a social media group. The graduation gown and hat were from a kind lady from Douglasdale who gave it to me for free. Uber from my place to Unisa and back was provided by two ladies from the group. I wouldn’t have walked that stage if it wasn’t for this community.

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Solani bagged a bachelor’s degree in information science from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She said her motivation for pursuing this course stemmed from her previous employer who encouraged her to go back to school.

“I’ve always wanted to study but unfortunately, after matric, I had to find a job because I had a two-year-old daughter to look after. I moved to Gauteng in 2016 for greener pastures. In 2017, I started working for a lovely elderly couple as a domestic worker in Craigavon. They treated me so well but unfortunately in 2020, my boss lady was diagnosed with cancer. She saw so much potential in me that she enrolled me for a one-year higher certificate in archives and records management course.

“I enjoyed studying so much that I then decided to enrol for a degree in Bachelor of Information Science in 2021 which I completed last year. Unfortunately, my boss died in 2022 and her husband left for the United Kingdom. Since then I have been surviving on piece jobs as a domestic worker.”

Solani has always wanted to be a librarian but was not sure if there was a course to study to become one. She said it was only after she spoke to a career guidance counsellor at Unisa who suggested a Bachelor of Information Science.

“I love libraries, but unfortunately I only discovered their existence later in life. Fortunately my kids stay back home so I was able to balance school and work. I worked six hours a day as a domestic worker and would study at night. Then in 2022, I fully concentrated on school because I was unemployed and lived on piece jobs which came once or twice a week.”

She said she plans on registering for honors next year but for now she is focused on landing an entry level job as a school librarian.

“My advice for other domestic workers is that is if you want it, go for it. Do your research on how you can fund your education. I was funded by NSFAS, so applying is the first step. As for age don’t be discouraged by anyone or anything. I am 36 and I just received my first qualification so it’s possible at any age regardless of the circumstances.”

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