In January this year, Buyiswa Seyisi had no clue how to switch on a computer, but last Thursday the full-time domestic worker was crowned student of the year when she graduated from Boston City Campus and Business College with an office assistant course.
Now she is as proficient at Excel, Microsoft Word, Windows and Outlook as she is at wielding a mop.
Seyisi, 49, who works full-time for Taralyn and Gary MacLean in their Beacon Bay home, attended college four times a week for two hours at a time and also took part in workshops to master the seven business and computer subjects the course entailed.
“It would take her an hour to catch a taxi to college in Southernwood and then another hour back, as well as juggling her full-time work in our home and Gary and I are extremely proud of her,” said Taralyn, who noticed Seyisi had a thirst for knowledge as she read the Daily Dispatch every day after knocking off.
“I would also get her library books,” Taralyn said.
Boston City Campus and Business College principal Penny Whitfield said it was a “unanimous decision” to award her the student of the year in the occupational skills department which was made up of 200 students this year.
“She was such an amazingly hard worker and dedicated lady and we all agreed she was the right person. The computer courses are tough. She could not even turn on a computer when she started, but she had the right attitude and this has given her so much confidence.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited Seyisi in Beacon Bay yesterday, she was busily mopping the MacLean’s floors until they gleamed.
“I just cried when they called my name as student of the year because I was the oldest student on campus. I was very scared of computers, but my adviser helped me and Taralyn gave me her mother’s laptop,” said Seyisi, whose attempts to pass matric failed when she was younger.
“I got up early at 5am to study or would stay up till after midnight. It was not easy, but I wanted to show myself I could do it. I don’t know what I can give to the MacLeans to thank them. All I have is a very big thank you.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Gleaming report for studious go-getter
Now she is as proficient at Excel, Microsoft Word, Windows and Outlook as she is at wielding a mop.
Seyisi, 49, who works full-time for Taralyn and Gary MacLean in their Beacon Bay home, attended college four times a week for two hours at a time and also took part in workshops to master the seven business and computer subjects the course entailed.
“It would take her an hour to catch a taxi to college in Southernwood and then another hour back, as well as juggling her full-time work in our home and Gary and I are extremely proud of her,” said Taralyn, who noticed Seyisi had a thirst for knowledge as she read the Daily Dispatch every day after knocking off.
“I would also get her library books,” Taralyn said.
Boston City Campus and Business College principal Penny Whitfield said it was a “unanimous decision” to award her the student of the year in the occupational skills department which was made up of 200 students this year.
“She was such an amazingly hard worker and dedicated lady and we all agreed she was the right person. The computer courses are tough. She could not even turn on a computer when she started, but she had the right attitude and this has given her so much confidence.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited Seyisi in Beacon Bay yesterday, she was busily mopping the MacLean’s floors until they gleamed.
“I just cried when they called my name as student of the year because I was the oldest student on campus. I was very scared of computers, but my adviser helped me and Taralyn gave me her mother’s laptop,” said Seyisi, whose attempts to pass matric failed when she was younger.
“I got up early at 5am to study or would stay up till after midnight. It was not easy, but I wanted to show myself I could do it. I don’t know what I can give to the MacLeans to thank them. All I have is a very big thank you.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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