Officially a university graduate after 20 years
Officially a university graduate after 20 years
Ms Jessie Fikile Zondo
Puleng Maphisa
Ms Jessie Fikile Zondo, started working at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) as a tea lady, cook and waitress at Lapeng in 2004. In 2009 she moved to the postal and faxes office as a service worker and a driver, when she was then motivated to finally pursue her studies and become a student again.
Ms Zondo applied for and started studying towards her National Diploma for Safety Management in 2014, she officially received her qualification at the 2017 autumn graduations. Ms Zondo is not only an inspiration to her peers, but also to her children as this is her first ever tertiary qualification, after completing her matric 20 years ago.
“Studying and working is difficult as a mother of 3 kids. One of my children passed on as I was on my way to write my last semester test, I received a call notifying me that my son has passed on and I had to cancel my test. This was a tough time for me, it was not easy but I managed to cope through the situation, and gathered strength to push forward,” said Ms Zondo.
Ms Zondo is an example that everyone has the ability to achieve their dreams only if they go for them. She has made it even in the most difficult times. After waiting for 20 years, she is now officially a university graduate.