AFRICA | A 50-year-old African woman bags degree from university where she works as a security guard, celebrates dedicated achievement.
A determined 50-year-old African woman named Emily Motau has achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a bachelor’s degree in Archives and Records Management from the University of South Africa, where she works as a security guard.
Emily always desired to continue her studies, but financial challenges held her back. She comes from a poor family background and had to drop out of university at the age of 25 following her mother’s death.
I dropped out of college in 1999 at the age of 25 following the death of my mom, and I had no one to fund my studies,” she said.
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After her mother’s death, Emily raised her two children through contract jobs, which provided low salaries without benefits. It was not until she attended her younger brother’s graduation in 2010 and her daughter’s in 2018 that she felt motivated to pursue her education.
Her breakthrough came when the University of South Africa employed her permanently following an insourcing exercise.
This new position allowed her access to study benefits. Emily first enrolled in a higher certificate program in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET), which she completed before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Information Science.
Emily shared that her bachelor’s degree taught her how archives, data management, and record-keeping can simplify life for users. “I gained valuable skills in information organization, retrieval, and analysis, which are essential in today’s digital age,” she said.
She credited the university for playing a crucial role in her achievements, especially after it employed her. Emily also expressed gratitude to her community for their support, which helped her remain focused.
“I am lucky to have a community that encouraged me, including staff at UNISA Middelburg, the UNISA Polokwane library staff, the university’s Counselling and Technology Support units, my family, and friends who were inspired by my qualifications,” she said.
Currently, Emily is pursuing a Master of Information Science qualification at the university. She believes that learning is a lifelong process that benefits everyone, regardless of age or educational background.
“It’s not only about obtaining a degree but also about gaining a deeper understanding of the world. Embracing lifelong learning is essential for success in the ever-evolving landscape of the fourth industrial revolution,” she stated.
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