Donald defies setbacks and graduates
Donald Molobane never allowed his tough upbringing to determine his destiny.

The 24-year-old believes that ‘a good strategy is the key to turning your dreams into reality’. He is an information technology and computer science graduate from Mopani TVET College. Raised by a single mother with his two siblings in Mosemaneng in Mashishimale outside Phalaborwa, this young man has also become a sensational model. He told the Herald that his childhood was not easy as the family relied on his mother’s wage as a domestic worker.
“Once a year on Christmas Day, we received new clothes, a school uniform, and one pair of school shoes.” He dreamt of change and to pursue greater things in life. After passing Gr 12, he was forced to take a job due to a lack of money to study further. He got a job at a clothing design shop where he worked as a seam ripper and cleaner. In 2019 he enrolled at the Mopani TVET College and recently graduated with flying colours. He currently interns at the college.
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His mother, Tsakani Shiviri, told the Herald that Donald has always been a disciplined and motivated child. “May he continue to prosper in everything he does,” she said. Donald was a contestant in the Mr South Africa 2023 competition and advanced to the voting stage, but he did not go through to the top 10. The eloquent young man said that his English teacher, Nimrod Pilusa of Maphokwane High School, played a big role in his academic life.
“He taught me how to write and speak good English and that has really helped me to interact well with different people; it also helps me in my studies.” He intends to enroll with Unisa and plans to enter the Mr South Africa competition again next year where he hopes to make it further in the competition.