By Ontiretse Motingwa

North-West University (NWU) graduate Siphiwe Ncube from Lonely Park in Mahikeng has chosen to not only focus on using her qualification to better her life, but also to knock an all doors that could possibly open to better opportunities.

During her final year in 2021, Siphiwe got a job at a lodge to make extra money, since she was studying remotely during the pandemic. Soon thereafter she joined the Department of Agriculture in Zeerust as a general assistant.

“I had applied for an honours degree and had money for registration, but the institution took long to respond, so I started spending the money on the things my family needed,” she says. However, when she was finally accepted in January 2022, she had already spent most of the money and was not able to register.

“I could not sit at home doing nothing, and because I have always loved cooking, I tried to find a short course at the hotel school, but they only offered three-year courses.

“I looked around for any other work opportunities, but was never successful, and that is when I discovered the Optimum Beauty School and registered immediately,” adds Siphiwe.

Even though she was asked to volunteer part time at Optimum after graduating, she still did not have a job.

“One day, while I was removing lint from my own clothes, I thought of starting a lint removal business, and things slowly started getting off the ground. I also decided to supplement this business by applying the skills I obtained during my second-year module of graphic design by designing invitations and posters,” she adds.

Siphiwe’s entrepreneurial spirit has proven that she can weather any failure, and each experience is a stepping stone to success. She will be graduating on 24 May from the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus with a BA degree in communication.

Siphiwe Ncube graduating from Optimum Beauty School.

An example of a birthday invitation that Siphiwe created.

A promotional image for Siphiwe’s lint removal business.