36-Year-Old African Man Who Worked as Security Guard to Fund Education Finally Graduates University

After years of working as a security guard to fund his education, 36-year-old Pfarelo Emmanuel Naledzani graduated with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Venda, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.

Pfarelo Emmanuel Naledzani, a 36-year-old man from Tshiulungoma, South Africa, has graduated with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Venda after years of working as a security guard to pay his school fees.

Emmanuel’s journey began with rejections from both the University of Venda and the University of South Africa, prompting him to upgrade his matric results. Eventually, he was accepted into the University of Venda but faced significant financial challenges, even walking 5 kilometers to campus due to a lack of transport money.

In 2016, he had to drop out after exceeding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding limit. With R5,000 his mother gave him, he instead enrolled in a security guard and firearm training course, which led to work at a stadium and landfill site.

A year later, Emmanuel returned to the University of Venda after securing a job as a security guard at the university. Balancing his studies, work, and family responsibilities, he completed his degree, focusing his research on Malamulele town under Collins Chabane Local Municipality.

Reflecting on his journey, Emmanuel described 2023 as the most challenging year of his life but expressed pride in finally being associated with a degree. He advises other students facing similar challenges to persevere despite setbacks and to keep pursuing their goals until they achieve them.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION