"This achievement means that I have worked hard and earned my crown"

Left to right: Prudence Moyo (Friend), Khanyisa Siyothula (Mom), Mathabo Nakene (VP: ICT), Sanelisiwe Siyothula (PR graduate), Prof Steward Mothata (Registrar), and Thembeka Siguca (Aunt)

"I enjoyed distance education mainly because it cultivates extreme self-discipline," says Sanelisiwe Siyothula, the Sports and Cultural Officer of Unisa Gauteng Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC), who recently completed a National Diploma in Public Relations. She graduated on 28 March 2023 and received her certificate at the ZK Matthews Hall.

Concerning her academic achievement, Siyothula says Unisa assisted her in bridging theory and practice primarily as a student leader. "The university gave me a platform to serve as a student activist and thus inspired me to practice my communication skills comfortably around my peers and developed me to solve life's challenges."

Sanelisiwe Siyothula, Sports and Cultural Officer Gauteng RSRC

She adds that Unisa's face-to-face orientations in regional campuses played a huge role in understanding her studies and connecting with other students. Another advantage Siyothula had was assistance from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NFSAS) to settle half of her study fees.

"Township girl staying on the grind"

Hailing from a small South African township called Daveyton in the East of Johannesburg, Siyothula marvels at her upbringing. The tenacious Joburg girl learned the basics of sharing and caring from a young age. She explains that her first education came from being the last-born child of five siblings. "I learnt to share even the little I had for myself."

Though she had a loving and cheerful upbringing, Siyothula says her parents were firm and strict. "I was disciplined when necessary," she notes. Nevertheless, she commends being raised in a poverty-stricken township as part of her inspiration and hunger for knowledge. "I focused on my studies and ensured I made my family proud by improving their standard of living in our community."

Growing up in a diverse country also encouraged Siyothula to stay on the grind. She says education raised her awareness about the unity of various tribes in her community despite the lack of self-discovery and colonial self-hate instilled amongst the black community.

From face-to-face classes to distance education

Siyothula went to a private school in Tembisa. She applauds her father for striving against all odds to give them private education.  "Now I realise that my father, who was a security guard earning close to nothing, wanted an advantageous education for me to succeed in life," she explains. Later Siyothula advanced to Rhodesfield Technical High School. "The investment paid off," she remarks.

Changing from face-to-face classes to distance education worked out best for Siyothula. "Unisa was flexible for me —Distance education was convenient and ended the routine I had to endure my entire childhood."

However, she explains that distance education gave her hassles during Covid-19 and load-shedding. She expressed that the university should enhance its communication channels between students and lecturers for distance learners to overcome technical glitches.

Nonetheless, she says she enjoyed all her modules. "The diploma gave me all the information I needed for PR." She further says Communication Law was one of the best modules she enjoyed as it informed her of ethics and assisted her in staying grounded in politics. "It took me four years to complete my National Diploma in Public Relations —I am so proud of myself for having sleepless nights, never giving up even at my lowest, and believing in myself during difficult times," says the minted graduate.

Future plans

Siyothula plans to study at Unisa for more degrees while looking for PR opportunities. Her advice to fellow students is engagement in different activities within the university. In addition, she tells students to be patient with their studies because nothing comes easy in life. "Hold on and never give up on black excellence and empowerment."

Being a first-generation university graduate is an honour for Siyothula. "This means that I have broken generational curses —I pushed myself to do something amazing that no one in my family has ever done," she says. Furthermore, she believes this qualification will lay a foundation for her nieces and nephews to think that acquiring a qualification beyond matric is possible. "This achievement means that I have worked hard, earned my crown, and now it is time to enjoy the fruit of my labour," she concludes.

*By Lesego Chiloane-Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

* Photos by Gordon Harris Photographic