INSPIRING: Andile Khumalo is full of resilience, patience, and hope
A powerful local story that has brought many people together in KwaZulu-Natal.
A story that will leave you filled with hope, possibility, and pride as a local resident in Durban was able to achieve the seemingly impossible of obtaining a qualification through Regent Business School.
Andile Khumalo is a former waste truck driver who has always yearned to have academic qualifications.
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He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Administration degree from Regent Business School with five distinctions.
However, his journey had to go through some rough times and challenges before he could get to this magnificent achievement.
“I encourage young people to never give up - God places you exactly where you need to be,” says Andile Khumalo.
Back in 2009, Andile shut down his restaurant in Umlazi Mega City (which is south of Durban), owing to the influx of many informal traders in the area.
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In 2010, he landed a temporary job as a waste truck driver at Durban Solid Waste and in 2012, he was promoted to a Licence Officer in the Cleansing and Solid Waste unit of eThekwini Municipality.
According to Andile, he has had many battles he's had to face before achieving his academic dreams.
I never looked back at anything that did not go right. Where most people would have abandoned their dreams, I was led through hard work, experience and faith in God. Losing my business was extremely difficult and hurtful, but it was a blessing in disguise as it opened up other opportunities.
This year, the 46-year-old graduated with a Bachelor of Administration degree from Regent Business School with five distinctions, which was financed by his current employer.
He is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management.
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Khumalo said that studying towards any academic qualification provides growth and encourages the student to climb the success ladder.
“My greatest strength lies in having faith as well as being a hard worker. I am very effective at planning and finding solutions with a blink of an eye."
Andile has a long-term goal which is to open a business again in the future.
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Khumalo is grateful to Regent Business School for all the assistance he received and for making his studying journey a simple and smooth process.
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Main image attribution: Unsplash