My name is Given Nyathi, a graduate of the prestigious institution Ehlanzeni TVET College, Mlumati Campus in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Born on 22 April 1991, I was awarded the opportunity of being admitted to the Institution for a course in Information Technology in 2016, which I completed in 2018.
My experience in the Institution has taught me wisdom, leadership, life skills, great responsibility and respect for life. I held various student leadership roles whilst studying at the College and in this regard I was elected as SASCO Chairperson in 2016 and as the Head of Academics of the 2017/2018 Executive Student Representative Council which also gave me the opportunity to serve on the Academic Board of the College. Serving on the Academic Board meant that I could represent the voice of students and understanding their needs and wants and listening to their demands I then also served as a mediator between the students and the College Council on issues which impact on the academic success of students.
After completing my studies, I proceeded from student life to being an intern at a company known as Grow Makhosikati receiving a stipend of R1500 per month. Through hard work and adapting to the demands of the world of work, I then became a proud employee of Grow Makhosikati, holding a position as a network technician since 2019 to date. In this regard I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Ms Maryna Marais, Acting Principal of Ehlanzeni College, who engaged the CEO of Grow Makhosikati to afford a Work Integrated Learning opportunity to me and other students of the College.
The difference between student life and the world of work is quite tough and it was only through hard work, dedication, perseverance, commitment and support I’ve come thus far and for that I will forever be grateful. My advice to students is therefore that they should grab any opportunity for WIL, focussing on the experience and opportunities and not on the size of the stipend and if you make full use of such an opportunity and prove that you are a committed person who is willing to learn, the rest will follow.
I want students to know that nothing is impossible! Your dreams and ambitions are within reach as long as you put in the effort, so that you make yourself proud one day.
GIVEN NYATHI
Network Technician