Kgaswane Kgalalelo, Deputy Secretary of the Unisa Midlands Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC), was one of the graduates who was awarded a BEd degree in Foundation Phase during the Unisa autumn graduation ceremony held on 30 June 2025.

Kgalalelo, who comes from Tlokweng village outside Rustenburg, ensured that her environment and circumstances did not hinder her from achieving her goals. Being the lastborn in a family of five, she is the first to obtain a formal degree.   

Her passion for teaching started when she was in middle school, assisting classmates with writing the educator’s notes on the chalkboard for other learners to copy the notes.  It did not end there. In high school, she assisted the educator in writing Life Science essays on the chalkboard and was able to interpret what the educator was saying to the classmates. That instilled inspiration and confidence and paved the way to develop a passion for teaching after passing matric.

Kgalalelo mentions that she did not know where to get the funds to pay for the registered modules due to her financial situation. “I was frustrated due to the unavailability of funds, but I was privileged to get funding that paid for my studies until I completed my qualification,” she says. 

During the first year, Kgalalelo says she lost motivation and courage because she could not adjust to distance learning. “At some point, I felt stressed and depressed about completing assignments and preparing for online exams”, she says. The anxiety kicked in when she was preparing for the online examinations. She wondered what would go wrong during online examinations, for example, what if there were to be loadshedding, network challenges, and problems using the proctoring tool?

The breakthrough came when she started calling on the Rustenburg RSC to utilise the available student support services. Visiting the computer laboratory regularly, she got assistance and guidance from the lab supervisor, Godfrey Mashishi, who assisted her with navigating myUnisa and using Microsoft applications and empowered her with computer skills. Her computer skills improved, her confidence increased, and she could complete and submit the assignments online confidently.

Kgalalelo mentions that she consulted with the counselling and career development unit, where she had personal counselling and time management sessions with the Administrative Officer in the Counselling and Career Development unit, Tuduetso Setuki, as she could not manage her time. Motivation and courage developed after having a few consultations with the counselling unit.

To ensure that there is a balance between studies and her roles as Deputy Secretary, Kgalalelo developed a schedule that helped her to set priorities in terms of managing studies and executing leadership roles. Also, as a part of the Unisa choir, proper planning and continuous communication were important to ensure that none of her responsibilities were compromised. Kgalalelo advises student leaders to understand, show empathy, and listen to students. She emphasised the importance of building strong relations with different stakeholders and seeking guidance from mentors and experienced leaders.

In 2023, her dad passed away, and she could not submit one of the assignments as it was due during the mourning period. Fortunately, the assignment due date was extended, allowing her to submit the assignment. “There was no time to grieve, as I needed to return to school and continue my teaching practice,” she says.

During the first year, she registered for ten modules in 2021 and passed all modules – eight with distinction. This gave her more reason to work harder to achieve her goal.  She states that completing the qualification will unlock new opportunities and open doors to a brighter future. She sees the qualification as a personal achievement and a stepping stone to making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.  “I’m confident that this qualification has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and passion to make a positive difference in the lives of students and contribute positively to the betterment of my community,” she says.

Kgalalelo is currently registered for a BEd Honours degree at Unisa, specialising in Early Childhood Development Education. Her words of encouragement to students are: “Fall in love with what you are studying and use the student support services that are available at Unisa to help you in your personal life and towards your career.”

In conclusion, she says, “A learning journey is unique, and it's never too late to start or continue pursuing your educational goals. Regardless of your age, location or circumstances, you have the power to take control of your education and future. Believe in yourself, stay committed, and know that every step forward is a step closer to achieving your dreams.”

* By Thotogelo Masenya, Communication and Marketing Officer, Unisa Midlands Region