Despite never learning to ride a bike, a regret I still carry, I had a happy childhood. I was raised by my mother and grandparents, who worked hard yet always made time for me. Their guidance and support shaped me into the chatty and bubbly person that I am today.
My grandfather is my hero, and I’ve learned so many life lessons from him. It was the little things that stood out, like how he would fold a packet of chips before throwing it away. He was an amazing human being, caring, loving and humble. He was a truly selfless and inspiring individual who made a lasting impact on those around him. He wanted more for all of us. He valued education and empowering children to reach their full potential. That focus on learning and self-development has stayed with me, and I’m grateful for the lessons he passed down.
I was always drawn to public service. When I was little, I wanted to be in law enforcement or a teaching. I wanted to make a difference to people and society in general. For me, it’s not about the power but about helping people, and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
I started working right after high school and fell into finance by chance. Learning from most amazing people who taught me the ropes. When I joined Henley Business School, although I enjoyed working in finance, I wanted more direct interactions with people. After five years, I joined the undergraduate department when it was first created, and later moved into the postgraduate department, where I now work as a programme manager. In a way, I still ended up in the teaching field.
Henley has afforded me the opportunity to study, something I hadn’t been able to do before and it’s been an eye-opening experience that has expanded my mind and grown me as a person. I began my educational journey at Henley with an undergraduate programme, followed by the postgraduate programme and have now recently completed my MBA. The support from Henley is something else and made studying fun and interactive.
It took me longer to complete my MBA. COVID hit just as we started year two of my MBA. There were many personal losses during that period and that affected my studies. There were many times when I wanted to give up, but my Henley family and MBA team wouldn’t let me. My journey was different from many others, while some finished-on time, I went into extensions and suspensions. This is one of the unique features of studying at a flexible and family-friendly institution like Henley. It affords you the space and time you need to complete your studies.
Completing my dissertation was a defining moment in my life. During that period, I was overwhelmed with self-doubt and questioned everything. After I spoke to other students, I learned that reaching this point of uncertainty is a normal part of the journey. Other students experienced it in year one and two. For me it happened while I was busy with my dissertation. It made me confront personal struggles, like my perfectionism, resistance to change and asking for help. The experience was really tough, but ultimately it helped me realise that pushing through adversity leads to growth.
Watching the students walk across the Henley graduation stage always brings me such joy and that’s why I love my job. The most rewarding part of my job is witnessing students grow throughout their programme, overcoming self-doubt and emerging stronger. It’s inspiring to see the lasting impact their studies have on their lives. Studying at Henley myself has given me a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be a Henley student, and that has contributed to my success in my role. I’m also fortunate to be part of an incredible Open Postgraduate Team.
I’ve learned so much over the years with Henley, but one lesson that stands out is don’t be afraid to speak up. Trust in yourself even when things seem uncertain. It’s okay to disagree and stand firm in your beliefs. Don’t let fear hold you back from growth or making changes, whether it's in your job or personal life. You have the power to handle whatever comes your way. Take it from someone who arrived in Johannesburg with no plan and no clear aspirations and is now a Henley MBA graduate.