Thabang Mashiloane (24) is one of the youngest final-year students doing his honours in agricultural science at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP).
In an interview with Lowvelder, he revealed how he had to double his efforts towards his studies, compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic.
“My research year has been affected because I had to do most of the work alone, without the proper guidance of my research supervisor. I spent most of the year working alone, trying to keep head above water as everything was difficult to cope with without physical consultations with my lecturers and supervisors,” he said.
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Through his passion and hard work he was selected to represent UMP at Dalhousie University in Canada last year.
“This was the biggest turning point of my life. I got the opportunity of a lifetime. I flew in an aeroplane and the feeling was supernatural. Through this opportunity I landed in nine different international cities, including Amsterdam. This kindled hope, inspiration and belief in the hearts and minds of many black African students that the UMP is a place for dream chasers and is full of opportunities,” said the bubbly Mashiloane. He said commitment, discipline, drive and perseverance are what is needed to cope in an institution of higher learning.
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“My experience has managed to touch people from different backgrounds and many students now aspire to hardwork.” Through his hard work he has received the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship since 2018 to date. This also enabled him to open two businesses.
