Driven by a deep-seated desire to improve his life and make a difference in the world is Hendry Pietersen. Despite being close to retirement, he committed himself to furthering his education to successfully earn his matric certificate at 61!
Cape Town, South Africa (25 October 2024) – We so often get caught up in our heads (and societal pressures) about where we should be at certain stages of our lives and what we should have accomplished by a particular age.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or like you aren’t where you want to be in life, let Hendry Pietersen’s unconventional academic journey be proof and motivation that there is no better time than the present to go after your goals!
Having dropped out of school in the seventh grade due to the 1976 political uprisings, Pietersen always had the desire to go back to school but life’s demands and challenges got in the way.
However, the 61-year-old Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) cleaner refused to let life pass him by. He made the conscious decision to further his education and earn his matric qualification!
According to CPUT, Pietersen, who is in charge of all operations of the Bellville campus Sports stadium, earlier this month celebrated obtaining his Amended Senior Certificate Class of 2024 offered by CPUT.
The programme allows staff members the chance to attend classes during the working day and get individual attention from dedicated teachers.
Now armed with his matric, a politically motivated Pietersen aims to do courses on labour rights to help people in his neighbourhood of Mitchell’s Plain.
His advice to anyone looking to further their studies is simple:
“My advice to anyone who also wants to do this is to read, read and read some more.”
Sources: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 