Thapelo Mogorosi used every spare moment while working on the night shift to complete his Diploma and apply for his dream job – his success inspires!
South Africa (27 May 2021) – Thapelo Mogorosi worked as a charge car operator at a smelting operation in Witbank but he always dreamed of doing a different job. When he wasn’t working nights, he was pursuing his dream of working in IT by completing his diploma through UNISA. This is his inspiring story, one filled with big dreams and hope!
‘Like many South Africans, his story starts in a small village near the town of Zeerust. His formative years was not one occupied with computers and technology. Even though he had a formal brush or two with technology after Matric, circumstances saw him finding employment as a charge car operator at a smelting operation in Witbank.
During this time, having had a glimpse of a different future, Thapelo enrolled himself at Unisa for an introduction to internet and web design.’
Working night shifts, he would take his laptop and textbooks with him and study when things were quiet or when he went on his break. He did this for years, working his way through his coursework to earn a diploma.
After completing his short course Thapelo decided to take the next leap and applied for an internship at Grey Advertising. He got selected and was lucky enough to be taken under the wing of the then head of development, Sudhir Hira, who mentored him. Eventually, his internship ended, and the agency took him on board as a permanent member of the team.
Thapelo admits that it was quite an adjustment for him considering his background.
“Coming from a small village in South Africa and being a driver does not prepare one for agency life. I was surrounded by an unfamiliar environment of open-plan studios, brands and creatives.” – Thapelo Mogorosi
Thapelo has settled in and loved his job.
“I am sure, with a drive like his, Thaps can do whatever he sets his mind to in the future.”
“He did after all go from being a driver at a smelting operation to where he is today” – Paul Jackson
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