ADVERTISEMENT:

 
 

Better late than never. This is the motto that encouraged Ms Funanani Nemakonde (right) and Ms Tsireledzo Thagwana to go back to varsity to further their studies. Both graduated with their respective degrees from Univen on 15 July. Photo: Elmon Tshikhudo.

It' still better to get your education late than never

 

For two local women, the road to realising their dreams had been a long and winding one, but in the end, theirs was a case of “better late than never” as they travelled towards a brighter future.

Back in 2006, at the age of 18, Ms Funanani Nemakonde (now 36) enrolled for a BCom degree in accounting, while her friend, Ms Tsireledzo Thagwana, then 17 (now 35), enrolled for a degree in management and accounting at the University of Venda.

Nemakonde dropped out in 2011 and got re-admitted in 2017, but was not allowed to do her previous degree, for which she had only four modules left to complete. So, she had to start from scratch, choosing a four-year teaching degree this time, which she was supposed to have completed before, but because she had failed a module, another year of studies was added.

Thagwana went the same route. Just before she completed the last module for her degree, she dropped out. When she applied for re-admission, she was told that she had to choose another degree, so she also opted to do her Bachelor of Education, which she started the same year (2017) as her friend Nemakonde.

At long last, the two friends both graduated on Friday, 15 July, thus fulfilling their long-cherished dream of becoming graduates.

Asked why they had chosen to go back to varsity after such a long break, both replied with nearly the same answer. “Life without education is hard, and finding a job that doesn’t require a degree limits you.” Even a job that requires a matric certificate is hard to come by, they added. “So, we spent five years trying, with no luck, until we decided that it’s never too late and that we can still make it and achieve something in life. And here we are today; well equipped with qualifications that put us in a good position in the job market,” said Nemakonde, who is now an educator’s assistant at Khwevha in Phase 3.

Thagwana is doing her IT apprenticeship at the Northern Technical College, also earning her own salary. “Going back to varsity was worth it. Now we can see that, with a valid qualification, it’s easier to get a job than when you have no education at all. To those who have given up, stand up and pick up the pieces. Better late than never,” she said.

 

 

Date:07 August 2022

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

Read: 1476

 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

ADVERTISEMENT:

ADVERTISEMENT:

 

Recent Articles

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Popular Articles