NOW 43, an East London man has finally achieved his life-long dream of qualifying as a social worker.
With just 22 years left before he exits the public service, assuming he gets a post this year, Sibongile Dyantyi says he is not worried about his age and would continue with his work even after getting his state pension.
He has ambitions of becoming a specialist and has already registered for a masters degree in social work, specialising in researching poverty.
Dyantyi graduated with 12 distinctions last Friday at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), after his application for admission was accepted in 2009.
“Now, I can finally focus on providing assistance to communities; something that I’ve been dreaming about all my life.”
The father of two was featured in the Daily Dis patch in 2010 after the Department of Social Development offered him a scholarship following a decade-long struggle to get financial assistance to further his studies.
A year after the Mdantsane-born Dyantyi matriculated from David Mama Senior Secondary School in 1994, his parents died. In his first year of the four-year social work degree, Dyantyi achieved five distinctions.
Dyantyi said focus and discipline and dedication lay behind his success at varsity. It had been his late mother’s last wish that he never give up on his education, and that had kept him going.
“It would also not have been possible without the support from the mother of my children.
“The words of my late mother have constantly came to mind that I should fol low my dream. and that nothing would stop me. I should keep on chasing my dreams and work hard. I’ve done just that and now with my first salary I will erect a tombstone in remembrance of my parents,” Dyantyi said.
The former petrol attendant has been a source of inspiration to his fellow classmates and lecturers.
He tutored while studying and has been recognised for his work.
He also pushed himself hard to get a driver’s licence. “I’m ready to go out there to work and empower society,” Dyantyi said.
Social development department spokesman person Gcobani Maswana said Dyantyi would be among the first graduates to be employed. “He has been identified as an example to show that we are a caring government and that we should be a caring society. He is our case study. We cannot drop him now.”
Dyantyi potential and that his family relied on social grant and government hoped his story would inspire other youngsters not to give up and to . They should also approach government for assistance.
Maswana said the department was not prioritising Dyantyi over other graduates, as all would be placed in jobs.
Social work has been declared as a scarce skill and t The department has established a bursary scheme to address the shortage of social workers. challenge. This led to an An agreement was entered into between the department and institutions of higher learning in the province to enrol aspiring social workers.
This has led to 1524 dis advantaged youths gradu ating in social work, with 1058 now employed. Pro cesses are are in place to ensure that the remaining graduates get jobsare employed. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
These include the 436 who graduated this year, Maswana said
Proof determination pays
With just 22 years left before he exits the public service, assuming he gets a post this year, Sibongile Dyantyi says he is not worried about his age and would continue with his work even after getting his state pension.
He has ambitions of becoming a specialist and has already registered for a masters degree in social work, specialising in researching poverty.
Dyantyi graduated with 12 distinctions last Friday at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), after his application for admission was accepted in 2009.
“Now, I can finally focus on providing assistance to communities; something that I’ve been dreaming about all my life.”
The father of two was featured in the Daily Dis patch in 2010 after the Department of Social Development offered him a scholarship following a decade-long struggle to get financial assistance to further his studies.
A year after the Mdantsane-born Dyantyi matriculated from David Mama Senior Secondary School in 1994, his parents died. In his first year of the four-year social work degree, Dyantyi achieved five distinctions.
Dyantyi said focus and discipline and dedication lay behind his success at varsity. It had been his late mother’s last wish that he never give up on his education, and that had kept him going.
“It would also not have been possible without the support from the mother of my children.
“The words of my late mother have constantly came to mind that I should fol low my dream. and that nothing would stop me. I should keep on chasing my dreams and work hard. I’ve done just that and now with my first salary I will erect a tombstone in remembrance of my parents,” Dyantyi said.
The former petrol attendant has been a source of inspiration to his fellow classmates and lecturers.
He tutored while studying and has been recognised for his work.
He also pushed himself hard to get a driver’s licence. “I’m ready to go out there to work and empower society,” Dyantyi said.
Social development department spokesman person Gcobani Maswana said Dyantyi would be among the first graduates to be employed. “He has been identified as an example to show that we are a caring government and that we should be a caring society. He is our case study. We cannot drop him now.”
Dyantyi potential and that his family relied on social grant and government hoped his story would inspire other youngsters not to give up and to . They should also approach government for assistance.
Maswana said the department was not prioritising Dyantyi over other graduates, as all would be placed in jobs.
Social work has been declared as a scarce skill and t The department has established a bursary scheme to address the shortage of social workers. challenge. This led to an An agreement was entered into between the department and institutions of higher learning in the province to enrol aspiring social workers.
This has led to 1524 dis advantaged youths gradu ating in social work, with 1058 now employed. Pro cesses are are in place to ensure that the remaining graduates get jobsare employed. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
These include the 436 who graduated this year, Maswana said
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