If you have the focus, Unisa will do the rest

Sipho Manamela

Student leader and Unisa communicator Sipho Manamela started his academic journey with Unisa in 2019 and graduated with a Diploma in Public Relations cum laude on 30 March 2022. In this article he shares details of his journey and the lessons learnt along the way.

‘I was born and raised in Soshanguve,’ says Manamela. ‘Resources were limited, and I had to walk some distance to school. I started my schooling at Kondelelani Primary School in 1997. This was in the early stages of post-apartheid South Africa and the educational system was still transitioning to the new democratic dispensation. I matriculated in 2008 at Senthibele Senior Secondary School.’

Don’t believe the lie

Manamela says that, growing up in an informal settlement, there was no motivation to pursue formal qualifications. ‘We grew up believing in the lie that education ends at matric,’ he says. ‘I stayed at home from 2009 until 2011. In 2012 I enrolled at a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college in 2012 and studied there until 2017. In this time, I obtained a Diploma in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Public Management.’

Manamela says that he chose to study for a Diploma in Public Relations at Unisa because he wants to continue making an impact in the industry.  ‘The qualification taught me how to create and maintain a relationship with different stakeholders,’ he says. ‘Most of all, I learned how to do research and practise the art of writing. The qualification will be very helpful in my career in the marketing and communications sphere.’

‘Success love preparation’

Commenting on his study journey, Manamela says that Unisa is for people who know what they want to achieve in life and are willing to do what it takes to achieve their goals. ‘My main goal was to graduate with an average of over 60%,’ he comments. ‘Putting in the extra effort and sacrificing many nights were consequences of the decision I took when I first registered with Unisa. The combination of hard work and determination works every time because success loves preparation.’

In addition to working at Unisa in a marketing and communications capacity, Manamela is the speaker of the Limpopo regional student parliament. ‘My main responsibility,’ says Manamela, ‘is to convene and preside over the regional parliament, which is a platform that holds the Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC) accountable. There are variety of student challenges that exist within the university of South Africa and students have trusted the RSRC with their vote to advocate for their rights.

Future plans and advice

Manamela says that he is planning to study for a Bachelor of Arts and Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication with Unisa, and that his ultimate goal is to graduate with a PhD one day.

‘I have so much respect for every student that is enrolled with Unisa,’ he says, ‘as the journey to graduation is not an easy one. Challenges will remain, and to be honest it won’t get any easier. My advice to fellow students is to put in the extra energy and determination. Students should be more and more involved with their academic journey. My closing remark is that we do not pray for the mountain to be removed, but pray for strength to climb the mountain better as that will assist whenever we come across another mountain.’      

* By Philip van der Merwe, Editor, Department of Institutional Advancement