Jerome Samuels punched through life’s challenges, wearing many hats throughout his life. Now, the former taxi door operator from Hanover Park is wearing his favourite hat, or cap, of all and sharing hope for switching circumstances in the process.
Western Cape, South Africa (20 April, 2023)— Beaming on his graduation day, 51-year-old Dr Jerome Alec Samuels’ story itself is a powerful message for future students, or really anyone that wants to follow their dreams despite the weight of tough circumstances.
“Sometimes on the outside we feel like sitting down, but on the inside you need to see yourself standing tall.”—Dr Jerome Samuels.
And stand tall he did, not only as a recent doctorate holder but as someone who believes that actions can change our worlds, no matter how far down the road.
Years before he became a Doctor of Philosophy in Child and Family Studies, Dr Jerome was a young man from Hanover Park surrounded by troubled circumstances in the area.
He had watched his dear friend die in his arms in grade 11, which at the time felt like the end of any academic avenues.
Forgetting about school at Crystal High, his life would see him wear many hats to put food on the table: a ‘trolley boy’, a taxi-door operator and a packer at a store, as well as a general hand at Golden Arrow Bus Services. Following dreams had been put on the back burner.
Then something happened, which could’ve deterred Dr Samuels, but ended up inspiring the opposite.
After getting retrenched from Golden Arrow, he decided to turn back the clock and complete his matric, setting his life on a new trajectory toward becoming a man of hope from Hanover Park.
Dr Samuels began his studies at the University of the Western Cape in 2017, trading trollies for books and taxi calls for lectures.
His focus is now on development and care at a Correctional Centre where he is the Area Coordinator, and his dissertation focused on managing crimes being re-committed (recidivism) to keep communities safer.
His Mindset Will Inspire Anyone
@uwconline After witnessing the death of a close friend in his arms, he dropped out of school in grade 11. That is where Jerome Samuels’ academic journey could have ended. But today he proudly walked across the stage at UWC to receive his PhD. #IAmUWC #UWCGrad2023 ♬ original sound – University of the Western Cape
And, Dr Samuels also pushed himself beyond circumstances recently by conquering the Two Oceans Half Marathon after having endured ‘6 Pneumothorax’ and 2 Pleurectomies on his lungs.
Like the doc says:
“Never allow your circumstances to change your attitude. Let your attitude determine your circumstances.”
by 
thanks for info