Driving with determination! Eldene Thomas worked as a long-distance trucker to earn a living while completing her studies. Now, she’s graduated with flying colours in inspiration for road warriors and students all over SA.
Cape Town, South Africa (24 April, 2023) — Last week, Eldene Thomas celebrated the end of a four-year trek—in the most literal sense. The long-distance trucker enjoyed the end of the road as an undergraduate student, and graduated with a story delivering inspiration at its fullest.
This student’s study hall was far from a conventional one, as were the long-distance trucker’s passengers who were more often than not her dreams.
Out of her four-year study period, Eldene spent three of them driving between Johannesburg and Cape Town to earn a living while studying; no easy path even for the most determined.
“Nights driving, tests and asks done during loading and unloading times. “Travelled] everywhere with my books, laptop and iPad.”— Eldene Thomas.
However, Eldene embraced the most tangible ‘we move’ narrative. She put her foot on the gas toward her goal, and on 18 April received her Bachelor of Education from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Rolling with the Role Model
Celebrating her achievement, SA Long Distance Truckers also sang their fellow trucker’s praises where Eldene’s story started to spread across the country, inspiring people from all the places Eldene and her trucks have passed on their mission.
“Well done trucker I salute your dedication and may you prosper in all you do,” wrote one supporter, while another shared: “Such an inspiration to many road warriors.”
Some even dubbed her an ambassador.
Like other incredible graduates we’ve seen this year (from former taxi door operators becoming doctorate holders to young people giving themselves that second chance), this long-distance trucker unloaded a lot of inspiration for anyone who feels like their circumstances won’t allow them to flourish.
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Eldene’s dedication behind the wheel reminds us that there’s no correct route to creating the lives we want or the futures we believe in. And sometimes, the unbeaten path is the one that will nudge others to take the first step, leap or hit accelerate in their own lives.
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