Candlelight Dreams: Rising Above Adversity
Nomfundo Mtshali
My name is Nomfundo Mtshali, born and raised in Tongaat, Kwa-Zulu Natal, I am the eldest of four children. My parents still live in the same area, where my father works at a retail store and my mother does part-time domestic work.
Life has been challenging for our family. Growing up, we lived in a shack that would leak when it rained and had no electricity, which meant that many a night was spent doing homework by candlelight. Numerous days were faced with having to go to school without a lunchbox.
Despite these hardships, these experiences fueled my determination to succeed and inspired me to work tirelessly during my high school years. Hence, I passed matric with good results. My self-motivation stemmed from having a dream to improve our lives.
I pursued my passion for technology by studying Information Technology at Mangosuthu University of Technology. The first two months were particularly challenging. Without accommodation near the institution, I had to wake up at 4am to catch a train from Tongaat to uMlazi. I vividly recall one instance when I fell asleep on the train and woke up in an unfamiliar place. I had missed my stop and then had to wait for another train to take me back. Fortunately, this happened on my trip home, so I didn’t miss any classes.
One of the crucial requirements for the I.T. course was a laptop. Not having one in my first year was extremely challenging, forcing me to spend countless hours in the computer lab. My mother managed to get a second-hand laptop for me to use in my second year of studies, unfortunately, it did not work for very long. I then had to rely on my friends lending me theirs. Knowing that education is the key to a brighter future, and determined to set a new path for myself, I overcame these obstacles.
In my final year at university, I started doing people’s hair as a side business to earn extra income. This helped cover necessities and allowed me to save towards building a house for my mother. As the first in my family to attend university, graduating has fulfilled my dream and remains my greatest accomplishment to date.
After completing my studies, I was eager to gain practical work experience and apply the skills I had learnt. I discovered The AATE through a recommendation from my friend Luthando, who was part of the program at the time. She shared her positive experiences and encouraged me to apply. I am grateful for her recommendation as it led me to this incredible opportunity.
I’ve learned that life, despite its challenges, isn’t about feeling sorry for oneself or waiting for miracles. It’s about getting up and trying your hardest. I had goals and dreams for myself and my family. I wanted to build a house for my mother and give my daughter the best life possible. I promised myself that I would achieve this, and I was determined to make it happen.
During my time with The AATE, the support I received had a significant impact on my learning and growth, offering valuable mentorship and skills training. The biweekly catch-up sessions with my student coordinator helped me stay on track and offered an opportunity to reflect on my progress, in both my work and personal life. This support helped me develop greater confidence, self-awareness, and a growth mindset.
Through the learnership program, I had unlimited access to the Udemy learning platform. Learning on Udemy was an incredible experience that complemented my university studies. The exposure that I was afforded at the Participating Organisation was extremely beneficial. The practical exercises and real-world examples deepened my understanding of Software Engineering concepts, while the courses helped me develop skills in areas not covered in my university curriculum.
Completing the Learnership through The AATE has earned me a Professional Designation, ITCP(SA): Software Engineer, and I am now a registered member of the Institute of Chartered Information Technology Professionals (ICITP). This is a culmination of my hard work. It makes me feel proud, accomplished, and confident in my abilities. I believe this designation gives me a competitive edge in the industry, demonstrating my expertise and commitment to my profession.
I will always be grateful for the opportunity and support provided by The Academy of Accelerated Technology Education (AATE). The AATE experience has been instrumental in shaping my career path. I have gained a deeper understanding of the industry, developed valuable skills, and enhanced my ability to contribute to an organisation’s success.
The learnership has assisted me in the partial fulfilment of the promise I made, to improve my family’s circumstances. I have managed to build a brick-and-mortar, two-bedroom house for them. I hope to make further improvements to the house in the future.
These accomplishments have solidified my belief in the power of hard work and determination.
With this fundamental foundation, I am confident that I can only move upwards and onwards from here, and that my path is going to be a successful one.