Yellowwood Park man defies all odds to achieve teaching degree

DESPITE having faced many obstacles along the way in achieving his dream of being a university graduate, Ashley Govender, remained determined.

Govender, 40, of Yellowwood Park, will graduate with his bachelor’s degree in education from North West University (NWU).

He said to add to his achievement, he obtained 10 distinctions in his final year.

Govender, a father of two, said it was a great feeling.

“It is a sensation that I have never experienced before. I think coming from my past and not being able to further my studies to now achieving this was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe my results.

“I had wanted to show my daughter, Zoehannah, that anything is possible through faith and hard work,” he said.

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Govender, an English and business studies teacher at a secondary school, said due to financial limitations, he was not able to further his studies after completing his matric in 2000.

“I am one of three brothers, and our parents, had very little education. They were factory workers all their lives. We grew up in a very poor home, having little and sometimes nothing to get us through, but my parents always ensured that we went to school and did our homework.

“My passion for education started at a very young age, but my parents could not afford to send me to college. Being able to put bread on the table was my first priority, so after school I had to take on whatever jobs I could find. My first job was selling litchis at traffic lights.

“I remember working as a driver’s assistant and I would carry an exam pad and a dictionary in my backpack. During deliveries I would write about anything that came to mind. A thirst for knowledge remained with me for as long as I can remember,” he said
Govender said, however, over the years he felt something was amiss and decided to pursue his dream of having better education and enrolled at NWU in 2018.

“At first I didn’t get enough points to qualify for the bachelor’s degree pro-gramme, so I had to do a bridging course. After passing this exam in 2018, I enrolled for the bachelor of education programme, which was a four year long programme,” he said.

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Govender added that studying for this degree was no easy task.

“It doesn’t get easier when you’re 40, with two little children running around as well as having to deal with the impact of a global pandemic. Managing my family, work and studies was extremely challenging. I had to make sacrifices on every side.

“When I got my results and saw that I achieved 10 distinctions, it made my heart leap. I couldn’t believe it at first, but then I realised that my hard work had been rewarded and it is that courage and determination that I want to pass on to my daughters,” he said.

Govender said his goal is to continue studying and obtain a PhD in Education. “I also hope to write educational books and study guides that can help others better their ability to learn and understand information. I want to add to the schema of educational strategies and development. Most of all I want to make a difference. I want to inspire those around me to pursue education.

Govender said his advice to others who have goals, but are faced with challenges was to remember, ‘success costs what it does’.
“There are no coupons or shortcuts. If you are willing to pay the price for your dreams then nothing will stop you. Success is not just for a selected few because everyone can be the master of their own craft,” he said.

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