CAPE TOWN - After some night shifts as a petrol attendant, Siphenkosi Nqoro would rush to take a quick bath and go straight to the University of Fort Hare’s East London campus for law classes.
He would then realise after classes that his next night shift was calling, and would then quickly go home to collect his work uniform.
Juggling being a full-time employee at Mdantsane’s N.U. 1 Shell garage and also being a full-time student was not easy for Nqoro, 29. But through determination to fulfil his dream, he did it seamlessly.
On Friday Nqoro, from Qonce, graduated with his LLB. He has been working at Shell since 2015.
“After passing my matric, I realised that I needed to work first because the financial situation at home was not conducive for me to go to the tertiary level.
"My parents were not working, so I had to stand up by myself and work towards fulfilling my dream,” he told the Cape Times yesterday.
Nqoro said he had wanted to have a legal career since his high school days.
“From my first year at high school, I knew I wanted to study towards a law degree. For me to be at ease with my life, I knew I needed to be a lawyer. This is because I am so passionate about law proceedings,” said Nqoro.
At a young age, he said he was fascinated when he saw lawyers wearing their gowns.
“But I have since developed many aspects around the legal career. I have realised there is a lot more in a law career than wearing a gown. Ordinary people have less understanding about law, they need education on this aspect,” said Nqoro.
A law degree was very challenging, especially if you were not fully focused, said Nqoro.
“When I told my boss at Shell that I had been admitted into the degree programme, he advised me to study on a part-time basis. But I wanted to study full-time, and when my boss noticed that I was doing well in my studies and I was also productive at work, he encouraged me to go further.”
Apart from doing his articles, Nqoro plans to study part time towards a Master’s degree in law. He has already applied to do the Master’s degree.
Regarding his duties as a petrol attendant, Nqoro said he had no plans to quit any time soon.
“I cannot leave my employment just because I have a degree,” he said.
Cape Times