From Fort Hare security guard to proud graduate
Mpumelelo Pinini realises his dream after working for university for more than a decade
Amid the sea of caps and gowns at the University of Fort Hare’s graduation ceremony was 54year-old security guard Mpumelelo Pinini, who had been safeguarding the institution for more than a decade.
Pinini realised his dream this week as he walked confidently across the stage to receive his hard-earned Bcom Honours degree in public administration at the university’s sports complex.
He was among thousands of graduates who were applauded as they went to fetch their degrees, beaming with pride.
Pinini, who is originally from Xesi, said when he joined the institution, he had been motivated by the management to realise his dreams.
He said he had been encouraged by the panel interviewing him to take an academic journey.
“I always had a dream of getting a qualification.
“What motivated me was knowing I had no intention of only being a security forever. I wanted more than that.
“I wanted to change from safeguarding and be part of a department in the same institution.
“When I was doing my interviews for the security post, the director who was interviewing me said I shouldn’t get into the institution as a security guard and leave as the same person.”
Pinini matriculated in 1989. “The reason I could not study further was that we had financial constraints at home.
“My mom was a domestic worker and no-one else was working at the time.
“When my older sister was employed she was only able to provide for our family and could not pay my fees, so when I got the job at Fort Hare I saw an opportunity.”
As a husband and father of four, his journey to academic success was not easy.
“I am very excited, I never anticipated that at this age I would have achieved this much.
It was not an easy journey, but I had to push.
“When I was doing my junior degree, I was studying at the Bhisho campus.
“After my work shift at Dikeni,
I had to travel to Bhisho for lessons.
“You can imagine that I left home in the early hours of the morning for work and I would come back at night exhausted.
“I also had to take care of the house chores because my wife was not around. She works in Komani.”
He said that during the Covid19 pandemic he’d had to familiarise himself with technology.
“As an older person I had a technology challenge and during Covid-19 we had online classes.
“I was then assisted by young people who understood technology better.”
Even though he still works as a security guard at the university. he has big dreams.
“I am interested in doing what I studied for, working as an administrator.
“If I can get more strength, I will pursue my master’s degree,” he said.
If I can get more strength, I will pursue my master’s degree