Makoma Mokoboro has always dreamed big while striving to uplift others. After experiencing the joy of teaching at her former primary school, she discovered her true calling, and now she’s raising funds to take the next step in her studies.
Tzaneen, South Africa (15 October 2026) – For many young people, a university education holds the key to a bright future and the chance to realise their dreams. The same is true for Makoma Jeanet Mokoboro.
For as long as she can remember, she has had big dreams about what she wanted to become. In primary school, she wanted to be a social worker; in high school, a nurse or physiotherapist; and after matric, she fell in love with Psychology. Though different, all these career paths had two things in common: helping people and requiring a university qualification.
Despite facing various challenges and growing up in Mohlakong village in Tzaneen, Makoma has worked hard. She graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Johannesburg, followed by an Honours in Psychology from Wits in 2024.
“I thought my life would start after that. But in 2025, I was sitting at home. No Master’s acceptance. No job. Just a degree and no income, like so many young graduates in South Africa,” shares Makoma.
Then, in June 2025, a small door opened when she was hired as an Educator Assistant at her former primary school, Morutsi Primary.
“Walking back into those classrooms changed everything. My old teachers are still there. The same people who taught me how to read and count are still teaching, still passionate, still giving everything to see children from our village and the surrounding areas succeed. Working beside them, I remembered: this is where real change happens, where future leaders are moulded. I realised I don’t just want a job. I want to be one of them,” Makoma says.
With a new passion awakened in her, Makoma applied for a Bachelor of Education at UNISA in the Intermediate Phase, specialising in Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, and was accepted. Although her parents could not afford her fees, she pressed forward in faith and registered in January this year.
She applied for every bursary she could find and dedicated herself to her studies, passing all her assignments. However, one major stumbling block now stands between her and the next academic year: her outstanding fees.
If she cannot pay her fees for the 2026 academic year, she will be unable to register for her second year of study. But Makoma refuses to let this stop her from becoming the teacher she knows she can be; one who inspires, educates and makes a difference in young people’s lives.
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Three days ago, Makoma launched a verified crowdfunding campaign, appealing for public support to help her raise the money needed to pay her university fees.
“Your donation, big or small, will go directly to my UNISA fees so I can continue studying and one day stand in front of a classroom full of school children as a qualified, compassionate teacher. I want to be the teacher who makes every child feel seen, welcomed, included, dignified, and capable – especially the ones from villages like mine.”
To help Makoma overcome this financial barrier and continue pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher, you can leave a donation here.
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