03/01/2026
Learn from my story,
I relate well with TVET students because I am a product of a TVET college.
Before we continue, thank you for engaging my previous post, I got the volunteers I need. We will now work on the creation and management of the Facebook group as promised. I also created a Facebook channel where I will broadcast important announcements. You should see the invite on your messenger or inbox if you haven’t seen it already.
Let’s proceed.
When I say go volunteer somewhere instead of waiting for opportunities at home, I speak from experience. I volunteered, and that led to working for the same college where I studied.
It was 2010, semester 2. I was doing N5 Human Resources Management. We were in a lecture hall. There was a great computer practice lecturer, Mr TS Khambula. He was disassembling a computer into pieces and explaining what each part did. I was captivated. Right there, I knew Information Technology and computer science were what I wanted to pursue.
I became one of his top students and volunteered to help with classes. I wanted to teach like him. I knew other students would appreciate the help because they struggled with the subject. Mr K, as we called him, agreed and allowed me to tutor his classes.
There were only two computer labs at the time. One went down, so only one lab remained. We no longer had enough lab time because many students from N4 to N6, across two courses, used the same lab. It was difficult. Some students practiced only two or three times a week.
I had an old desktop computer and a laptop. I started helping students using these devices for free. Fast forward to 2012, first semester. I asked to try fixing the second computer lab, which had been down for a long time. Some lecturers had concerns because I had no IT qualification and no experience with a project like that. Mr K assured them I would not damage equipment already out of service, so they agreed to give me a chance.
I had a modem with free 4 mb/s internet, which was “doctored”. I used Google to find the issue and learned the drivers were missing. A driver is software that enables communication between hardware components and the operating system. I downloaded the drivers from the manufacturer and installed them. The entire lab was operational again in just a few hours. We used it for late classes.
The campus manager at the time was impressed. A new post opened for an information systems specialist, and lecturers recommended me. I had matric and an N6 certificate. I did not have a diploma at the time. The role started as data capturer, so the requirements were basic. The position later grew into Management Information Systems, MIS. I later became a computer practice and data management lecturer.
I share this to inspire you to value volunteering. In many cases, volunteering opens doors. You might not get employed the same way I did, but the experience builds your CV and works in your favor.
Share your stories in the comments. Your story might inspire someone else to take action and believe again.
This 2026, do not wait for opportunities. Create them yourself 🙏🏾
