Former Delivery Driver Graduates with Education Degree to Honor Mother's Sacrifices

Tshireletso Donald Makabe, a former delivery driver, has achieved a significant milestone by graduating from the University of the Free State (UFS) with an education degree. Makabe's primary motivation for pursuing higher education was to uplift the life of his beloved mother, Betty, who made numerous sacrifices to support his educational path.

Initially aspiring to become an air traffic controller, Makabe discovered his passion for teaching in Grade 11 when he began helping his friends with mathematics. His educational journey was made possible through funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and his mother's contributions, who worked as a security guard to support her son's dreams.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unexpected challenges when Makabe's mother lost her job. Determined to continue his studies and support his family, Makabe took up a job as a delivery driver at Mr D while relying solely on NSFAS funding. Balancing work and education proved demanding, but Makabe's resilience and dedication never wavered.

On his graduation day, Makabe's mother was unable to attend due to illness, but his colleagues at Mr D stepped in to escort him to the ceremony, demonstrating the strong bonds he had formed during his time as a delivery driver. With his degree in hand, Makabe is now actively applying for teaching positions in the Free State, North West, and Gauteng provinces, eager to start his career as an educator and create positive change in his life and the lives of his future students.

Key Takeaways

• Tshireletso Donald Makabe, a former delivery driver, graduated with an education degree from UFS.
• Makabe's primary motivation was to uplift his mother's life, who supported his education.
• Makabe took up a delivery driver job during the pandemic to continue his studies and support his family.
• Makabe's story highlights the power of perseverance and the importance of financial aid for higher education.
• Makabe is now applying for teaching positions in the Free State, North West, and Gauteng provinces.