Submitted By:  Thobello Mofokeng

I want to share my story and motivate someone who may be about to give up on life.  I am a single mother of 4 and the only child of the late Ms. Matshediso Mofokeng.

My mom passed away in 2005 and that was an eye-opener for me.  I used to be a domestic worker, sold Amakota for R150 per week, and cleaned people’s yard for R30 a day to feed my kids. In 2006 I was brutally beaten by my ex and lost my front tooth – a situation I put myself in.

In 2006 October I got my first job with the help of a lovely sister, Ausi Moitheri, and I was paid R5 000 a month. I made the decision to change my life.

In 2007 I registered for a BCom degree.  I was 33 years old with 3 kids. In school, I did history and biblical studies but had never done commerce at all.  I was a laughing stock. The worst part was that it was from my female colleagues …women. They used to say, “How can you study medicine with history?”  But I persisted with my studies. It was tough and I failed accounting and economics like nobody’s business. Each and every time when I was about to give up I remembered what my colleagues said and I didn’t want to put my God into shame.

I remembered my purpose in life.  I became a motivational speaker at our local radio station in 2018 to give hope to those who had given up on life.

In 2015 I graduated with my first formal qualification…BCom Degree in Management.  I was 41 years old.

In 2017 I registered for my Honours. I did my honours in one year.  In 2018 I graduated with BCom Honours in Business Management.

I remembered my purpose in life.  I became a motivational speaker at our local radio station in 2018 to give hope to those who had given up on life.

In 2019 I registered for a Bachelor of Social Work. I am currently in my 3rd semester.  I am 45 years old going for my 2nd qualification and this one is straight to PhD. So far in Social Work, I have passed 10 modules 5 with distinctions.

Since 2007 I have been maintaining my kids alone and paying for my own fees. I have never got any bursary nor financial assistance from anyone.

No situation is permanent.

Through the eyes of a man having studied history and biblical studies at school, it was impossible to achieve what I have achieved. I serve God of Impossibilities…God who QUALIFIES the UNQUALIFIED.

Women let us stop pulling each other down.  If I did not trust in the Lord, I would have given up a long time ago. We are not wired the same…If I knew what I know now, I should have started thanking God then instead of crying and complaining about my situation.

To my mother’s sister, Malerato Fume, I just want to say, “I love you and thank you for always being there for me…Next Graduation…Bachelor of Social Work in record time.  May the Good Lord keep you for me. Love you, Mokoena.”

No situation is permanent.

Indeed God’s GRACE located me.
#ImStaying

Edited By: Maggie Wolfe Miller

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GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS