Unisa online - Gauteng Regional SRC member achieves academic excellence

Abel Mahachi at his graduation ceremony, accompanied by his parents

It is often said that student leaders who participate actively in student politics do not always complete their qualifications and that if they do, it takes them several years to complete them. Not so with Abel Mahachi, the secretary of the Johannesburg Regional Student Representative Council.

The 25-year-old Mahachi has proven that active participation in student governance issues should not replace the determination to complete studies within acceptable time. It is all about striking a balance between competing interests.

He has completed his Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management last year (2011) and was conferred with his qualification at this year’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony. He achieved fifteen distinctions.

Mahachi is also the chairperson of Azasco at Unisa’s Joburg Regional Service Centre. This former Vice-President of the Unisa Student Christian Fellowship registered for his Financial Management degree in 2008. He says one should focus on three things to succeed, namely: discipline, balance and mission.

“It is never easy as an activist in an institution of higher learning to excel academically. But it is of paramount importance that one has discipline. Balancing one’s academic life, social life and political life is never easy. However, I have learnt how to balance those areas of my life. I had to sacrifice some of my social life time into academic life and I had to create time for my political life. It also meant less sleep,” he said.

Following completion of his first degree, Mahachi continued to register for an honours degree in Business Management. He remains steadfast in using the same determination that saw him complete the first qualification, to succeed in his second qualification as well.

“From the first time I made a decision to be an activist, my mission didn’t change at all, i.e. completing my degree in a record time. We as activists we have long term goals (vision) but we lack the ability to translate those long term goals into short term goals that are accompanied by action,” he added.

Mahachi is gunning for more distinctions.

Study life was not all smooth sailing for this Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) born student whose ultimate ambition is to become a Chartered Financial Analyst. He came to Johannesburg in 2009 after struggling to finance his studies back home and to access study-related resources. However, he did not allow the temporary setback to demoralise him.

“In January 2008, I registered successfully for my first semester and I excelled well. I failed to register the next two semesters due to lack of funds. I needed almost R10 000 to do my next six modules. I moved to Johannesburg, where my father had been residing for about two years. I then resumed my studies in May 2009. There is no mountain too high for any student, if you put your mind in it” said Mahachi.

Congratulating Mahachi, the Deputy Director: Student Administration and Financial Assistance in Gauteng, Mr Richard Chauke said that Mahachi’s achievement is an indication that SRC members need to be exemplary academic leaders.

“We are proud of dedicated students such as Abel Mahachi. His achievement will send a very positive message to both current and prospective Regional SRC members in Gauteng that success awaits all hard-workers, Abel never allowed mishaps to distract his attention from his goal of getting a qualification. It serves as encouragement to the rest of students to continue working harder,” said Chauke whose portfolio also includes Regional SRC.