This year Ms Precious Mohlamme will graduate with a diploma in Human Resource Management and is already enrolled for an advanced diploma.

This is a remarkable achievement for Precious, who despite her circumstances, never allowed her passion for education to die. Her dream has always been to study further, obtain a tertiary qualification and improve her life.

 Since 2014, Precious has been employed by the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) as a Service Worker (Cleaner).

Joining VUT was a game-changer for her.  In 2015 she met Dr Joubert who motivated her to study further through part-time studies. She enrolled for part-time studies in Human Resources Management at VUT.

Studying part-time was not easy.  She had to juggle between a full-time job and being a mother. Lack of transport and attending evening classes forced her to make even more sacrifices, including leaving her son with her mother.

“It was not an easy journey, believe me, my divorce was still fresh, and I had to be a single mother and raise my son through the help of my mother. When I started studying, I only saw him on weekends – which was a struggle. Still, because I had a dream to pursue, I needed to focus on my studies,” said Precious.

The sacrifices have paid off because this year Precious will graduate for the first time in her life. She is determined to secure a job in an office environment, and has already begun knocking on many office doors at VUT requesting opportunities for practical experience – even if just for an hour at a time.

She hopes her achievement will inspire other service workers to follow in her footsteps.

 “Being a service worker doesn’t mean we are destined to clean offices all our lives.  We can do more to change our lives.  Education can be a life-changing opportunity for anyone”, she said proudly.

Article by: Puleng Maphisa