HomeEducationFrom cleaner to college graduate: 40-year-old woman graduates from same college she...

From cleaner to college graduate: 40-year-old woman graduates from same college she cleaned for 14 years

Sthembile Mngwengwe, a 40-year-old South African who spent 14 years working as a cleaner, has gotten a Bachelor’s degree in social science from the same institution.

When Sthembile graduated from high school in 1998, she knew she wanted to continue her education. Sadly, her parents were unable to pay for her to attend college at the time.

She seized the chance to study there for free in 2018 after nearly ten years of working as a cleaner at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

READ ALSO: A Rare Gem: Nigerian lady bags first class degree in Chemical Engineering from UK university

However, she acknowledged that it was challenging after being out of school for close to 20 years.

Sthembile was very hardworking

In fact, Sthembile managed her time well while balancing employment and school.

She claimed that her desire to pursue further education was sparked by her work at the university and the professors’ offices she frequently cleaned.

“I was under a lot of stress trying to balance work and school,” she told News24. But if you work hard and turn to God in prayer, He will aid you in achieving your goals.

Being on campus also served as motivation for her. According to her, watching students stroll up and down the halls to their lecture halls to attend courses made her want to be like them.

Age is just a number

Additionally, she was inspired by her kid and her coworkers who helped her along the way. She wants to encourage others to follow their aspirations even when they initially looked unreachable.

She said 

“No matter how old you are you can still fulfill your dreams,” she said. “Age is just a number — look at me completing my first degree at the age of 40. It’s a blessing and I’m so proud of myself.”

READ ALSO: Young lady pushes back after failing WAEC, emerges with first class in Law

Brilliant 22-year-old Nigerian lady graduates with first-class from US University

In Another news, a 22-year-old brilliant Nigerian lady has graduated with a first-class degree from a US University.

The lady, identified as Karen Ogochukwu Elisha-Wigwe, bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Miami University College of Engineering and Computing, Ohio, United States of America.

Karen Elisha-Wigwe graduated Cum Laude with a cumulative grade point average of 3.70 out of a possible 4.00.