City resident proves dreams have no age limit

ROBERT Khoza, a 45-year-old Kimberley resident, is a source of inspiration for many in his community and proof that determination and passion can lead to great achievements.

Khoza is a beneficiary of Droogfontein Solar Power's bursary programme and completed his Bachelor of Education in the Intermediate and Senior Phases from the University of South Africa (Unisa) in 2022.

The former business owner was awarded a study bursary in 2018 after finding his passion for teaching.

He had started to work in the school environment as a reading coach after his business in event procurement started to slow down.

His experience and fulfilment of being a reading coach reinforced the example that his mother set and the influential role of his high school history teacher, which bestowed upon him his love of teaching.

Khoza is currently teaching at Letshego Primary School in Kimberley, where he started in February of this year. He expresses deep gratitude for the bursary, which significantly transformed his life, including that of his family.

He said the decision to become a teacher has always been in the back of his mind because of his mother, who worked as a teacher and cared for most of his family members.

“Witnessing her dedication, she became my guiding light and inspiration. In that sense, becoming a teacher felt like fulfilling my destiny,” said Khoza.

“When my mother fell ill, I realised the weight of responsibility that would rest upon us, which fuelled my determination to study further. I am grateful for the bursary, as without it, I would not have been able to achieve my dreams,” he added.

Out of the remaining group of seven who received support from the Droogfontein Solar Power bursary programme last year, six students continue to pursue their education-focused qualifications in 2023, which is one of the scarce skills that this programme is geared to support.