I was born and raised in a rural village in Limpopo. I grew up surrounded by a big extended family, but it was my mother and grandmother who raised me after my parents separated. Those two women shaped who I am today. Even though we didn’t have much, they made sure I never went to bed hungry. They sacrificed so much, and that’s what pushed me to work hard, I wanted to break the cycle of poverty and make them proud.
As a child, I was sick often. I missed a lot of school, but it also planted a dream in me: I wanted to become a pharmacist, someone who could make medicine to help others. When I got to matric, I did well, but not well enough to get into medicine. I upgraded my marks and tried other options, but life had different plans for me. I didn’t want to sit at home, so I enrolled in a BSc in Agricultural Economics, even though I’d never done economics or business at school.
To my surprise, I fell in love with economics. I pushed through and completed the degree. That’s where my journey really began. After graduating, I joined a financial services company through a Learnership programme. That’s where I discovered something new about myself: I loved learning and development. I’ve always been drawn to academics and continuous growth, so being in that space felt natural.
In September 2022, I joined Henley Business School Africa as a programme coordinator. Just a few months later, I was promoted to programme manager while studying towards my Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (PGDip). I’ll never forget my first day. I walked into reception, and everyone was so welcoming. That friendliness wasn’t just at the front desk; it was the whole school. The people culture really struck me. At Henley, it comes from the leadership and filters down to everyone.
Henley has become more than just a workplace for me. Here, I’ve seen how much students value the support they get. And what I love most? Henley doesn’t limit growth. There’s always room to become better, and that inspires me every day.
One of the biggest turning points in my life came from a manager who told me, “Your degree doesn’t define your future, your potential does.” That changed how I saw myself. From then on, I stopped limiting my own growth. Now, whenever I face challenges, I ask myself: “What now?” I try not to dwell too long on the problem but focus instead on the solution.
Balancing full-time work, fatherhood, and studies was tough. During that time, my father got terribly sick and was hospitalised, which made the journey even heavier. In the same period, me and the love of my life were blessed with a baby girl. The PGDip stretched me in ways I never expected. But I promised myself I wouldn’t be the same person after 12 months, and I wasn’t. It was painfully rewarding. Some nights I wanted to quit, but finishing reminded me how strong I really am.
One of the biggest lessons I live by is self-appreciation. We often forget to clap for ourselves. I do it every day. Whether it’s making my bed, running a programme, or even just getting through a tough day, I celebrate it. Those little wins keep me motivated.
When I’m not at Henley, you’ll find me on the soccer field. I play for the Henley team and I also enjoy watching local football matches. Most importantly, I love spending time with my daughter. She’s my biggest motivation to keep going.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, and Tupac. Bob and Lucky were more than musicians, they were freedom fighters who used music to spark change. Lucky Dube, especially, connects to me on a personal level. His music influenced my dad, who was a Rastafarian, something I only discovered recently. That made me appreciate his songs even more.
To my 20-year-old self: “Every choice you make shapes your future. Be mindful of what you do and say, and stay clear about your goals. Challenges will come, but they don’t define you, they shape you.”