BUSHBUCKRIDGE – Supporting the statement that anything is possible if one sets your heart and mind to it, a 57-year-old celebrated his graduation for a master’s degree in leadership and change management.
Mr Ezrom Mathumbu, known as Pastor Cremora to many, a former Member of Parliament in the Gazankulu Homeland, proved that dreams can come true.
“My dream as a young man was to return here one day and give back to the community and show you, especially the youth, that it is possible to achieve anything. I did not want to return empty-handed and no matter how long it took, I finally got my master’s degree,” he proudly said.
During a prestigious occasion attended by many academics and matriculants, Mathumbu dedicated his achievement to the youth of his home village, Croquet Lawn. He encouraged matriculants who started with final exams this week, saying that it did not matter where they came from as they could also achieve success.
“For someone from a rural village, denied many of the advantages of education available in the big cities, it is possible to achieve anything noteworthy in life,” he emphasised.
Mathumbu further challenged the youth to use their freedom wisely, as freedom without education would not help them achieve anything.
“Former president Nelson Mandela once said that education was the most powerful weapon to change the world, so use your education to follow his success and example,” he added.
Pastor Mdaka commended Mathumbu for his persistence saying that even when he was going through afflictions, he persisted. He added that the youth should look up to him and aspire to be like him.
“It was surely not a red-carpet journey, but because he wanted to bring change to his life and community, he kept walking. You must never stop learning, but always desire to change and bring improvement to the community,” said the pastor.
A special prayer for the matriculants was also rendered and after all the motivation from speakers, Ntshunxekani Maleyani, a matriculant from a local school represented the class of 2013 and promised that after such motivation, they would surely produce better results. “We are challenged and all we can say is – watch out! Come January, the whole village will be dancing,” he promised.
