Former UKZN security guard graduates with social work degree
Thulani Jama hopes to one day complete a law degree and to attend the graduation ceremonies of his five children.
A FORMER UKZN security guard, Thulani Jama, was thrilled to graduate with his Bachelor of Social Work degree from UKZN Westville on Monday 13 April.
The 38-year-old spent five years, including a year in the university’s access programme, to finally complete his degree.
It all began for Jama when he became friends with former student representative council (SRC) member, Eketsang Diaho, who motivated Jama to pursue his degree. Assisting with the application and financial aid process, Diaho made sure that Jama was able to graduate with his degree.
“Jama had a family to take care of, and we advised him to study. We could see that he was willing and able and had the potential to transform his life for the better,” said Diaho.
Jama, a resident of Umzimkulu, took the advice of the SRC contingent and got himself registered at the university. He managed to even secure funding and a bursary for both his fees and residence.
“I have five kids and a wife to support. I even sold airtime and some odd items to students to supplement my income. My wife, initially, wasn’t too happy about me studying, as she felt I should have been contributing more of my time and finances to the family, but after she saw how much getting this degree meant to me she supported me fully,” said Jama.
Jama is a role model to his children, constantly motivating them to do well in their studies and to pursue their dreams. “I want them to do well in life. With this degree, I hope to find employment as a social worker within government and then be able to send my children to university,” he added.
He is grateful to the SRC and UKZN for now giving him a future that he can be proud of. He is confident that as a social worker he’ll be able to change his community for the better and help them realise their individual dreams.
His message to other students and researchers is to demonstrate a desire to study, to be dedicated and to be disciplined. Jama hopes to one day complete a law degree and to attend the graduation ceremonies of his five children.
