A security guard from the University of the Free State has graduated with a master’s degree in governance and political transformation.
Mxolisi Mgolozeli, a security guard at the University of the Free State (UFS), has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds by attaining a Master’s Degree in governance and political transformation.
The protection service employee was awarded his degree at the Callie Human Centre in Bloemfontein on Thursday. Mgolozeli proved once again it’s never too late to learn, after starting his undergraduate studies at the age of 43.
It was always Mgolozeli’s goal to become educated and qualified as something other than a security. When his colleagues would go home to be with their families‚ he would go to the library to study because it was always a dream of his to be educated.
Mgolozeli told Times Live that it took great personal perseverance to attain his degree.
“After almost 20 years of being out of school‚ having to start my undergraduate degree at that age was difficult but it is all about commitment and sacrifice‚” says Mgolozeli.
Mgolozeli has been working at the University of the Free State since 2003‚ initially as an ordinary security officer‚ and was promoted to a supervisor in 2013. He would work 12-hour shifts but he did not let long hours stand in the way of his education.
“It was not easy but I like education‚ so I think this motivated me‚” he says.
Throughout his master’s studies‚ Mgolozeli was supervised by Dr Tania Coetzee‚ who commends him for his perseverance.
“As his supervisor‚ I acknowledge the fact that he has worked very hard and has shown dedication in his studies‚” says Coetzee.
Mgolozeli’s research was focused on the influence of ward committees on community participation in the Manguang Municipality. The central point of his research was based on methods to improve the quality of governance for the different wards in the municipality.
The master’s graduate says he would like to shift more to the academic side of things‚ even though he enjoys working for protection services.
“I would like to get a mentor in academia so that I can encourage other students‚ even my own kids. That is my wish for the future‚” he says.
Watch his inspiring story below:
WATCH: Security officer, Mxolisi Mgolozeli, overcomes obstacles to obtain Master’s https://t.co/5yPQnrav7u #UFSGraduation2018 #ProudlyKovsies pic.twitter.com/HvzLv09jJF
— UFS/UV (@UFSweb) June 29, 2018
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