By: Puleng Maphisa  – 18 April 2024

When this year’s success stories of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) autumn graduations are written, that of Ms Lebohang Esther Sebolai, will also go down in the history books. From humble beginnings as a cleaner, to a National Diploma in Human Resource Management (M+3) graduate, hers is not only a remarkable tale of defying convention, but one that would inspire generations to come.

When Esther started working at VUT as a cleaner in 2011, little, if at all, did she ever imagine that one day she would sit amongst the graduates, let alone in the very same hall she used to scrub its floors, preparing it for the graduations for over 10 years.

Reflecting on her journey, she says she was encouraged to study by Prof Irene Moutlana, the then VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal who urged service workers (cleaners and groundsmen) to elevate themselves through education. This led to her enrolling for her National Diploma in Human Resource Management in 2015 which she only completed in 2023 – exactly nine years later of determination and perseverance.

On multitasking, she openly shared the difficulty of juggling between her roles as a mother, student, and worker with demanding job responsibilities, while being the primary breadwinner at home. In her own admission, she says the initial years were challenging, marked by missing lectures and failed modules – yet she remained firm in her pursuit of success. She also concedes that being the elder within youthful peers, posed its own set of challenges, however she pushed herself.

Remembering her moments of self-doubt, Esther acknowledged the crucial role of her colleague, Ms. Nokhuthula Sambo who embarked on the journey with her, later achieving an Advanced Diploma. She says, Nokuthula’s success served as an inspiration to her to persevere persistently towards her aspirations. When asked about motivating her colleagues, she says she encouraged them to pursue their dreams uncompromisingly, mentioning her own transformation from a cleaner to a graduate as evidence of what dedication and hard work can achieve.

In a heartening expression of recognition, the VUT Alumni Relations Office presented Esther with a fashionable VUT-branded gold shirt, symbolizing their admiration and respect. VUT proudly salutes and honors all employees across all levels who pursue lifelong learning.