Growing up poor did not deter graduate

Her mother, a domestic worker, was the family’s main breadwinner which did not help to create a future. “I knew my future was bleak the day I graduated high school. Going to university was a distant dream for me,” remarked Mihloti, thanking God for making it possible for her. The 34-year-old recently graduated from Unisa with a teaching degree, although the odds were stacked firmly against her.

“I did not immediately register at a tertiary institution or with any distance learning university because I did not even have the money to register,” she said. “After a few years at home with nothing to do, I eventually landed a job at a busy funeral parlour in Giyani,” she explained. It was then that the opportunity to register at Unisa arose. “I had to split my salary in half, one half for living costs and the other for books and fees,” she explained.

Also read: Ultimate goal for graduate Dr Jamela

Her course took a little longer because she had to take her modules in small groups to balance work and study. “Once you get a job, studying becomes a huge challenge because you hardly have time for yourself and always get home tired,” she said. However, knowing where she came from and her desire to make a difference at home motivated her to make time to study.

“I knew what I wanted in life, and spending my whole life working for someone else was not part of it; hence, I had to ensure that I sacrificed everything for time to study,” she added. Today, Mihloti is a qualified teacher, an achievement she never thought she could accomplish. She urged young people to use any opportunity available to further their education. “Life is too short to make mistakes; use whatever resources you have in your area to further your education,” she said.