After a struggle, graduate plans to engineer himself a better future
Tobile Khwaza, who has a National Diploma in civil engineering, has been struggling with unemployment since August 2018.
Growing up in the small village of Magwambu in Lusikisiki was not easy. Khwaza is the fourth of 10 siblings and they had to take turns getting new school uniforms.
“Our parents were unemployed. Our father had been retrenched from the mines long before we were born,” said Khwaza.
Despite the harsh circumstances at home, Khwaza and his siblings were dedicated students who did relatively well at school.
“The conditions were difficult, but we had to adapt.”
Khwaza matriculated in 2003 from Colosa Senior Secondary School in Dutywa. At the time he lived with his older sister, who was the family’s breadwinner.
After taking a gap year due to financial constraints, Khwaza decided to pursue a civil engineering diploma at the Walter Sisulu University.
In 2008, however, Khwaza had to drop out of school to assume the responsibility of breadwinner after the death of his sister. “I went to work at a furniture store to put food on the table for my family.”
These unfortunate circumstances did not discourage Khwaza. He went back to school five years later to complete his qualification.
“In 2015 I used my provident fund to further my studies at WSU and I was able to complete my qualification in 2018.”
Khwaza said he would hate for all the hard work and sacrifice to be of no avail.
The graduate’s tenacious spirit has not let him give up.
Since graduating, Khwaza has opened his own company called Cofe Civil & Projects that specialises in construction, mainly curbing, water channel and concrete work. However, he has faced challenges finding work for his business.
“Finding a job would help develop my skills so I can also uplift the people in my community. Not forgetting my family because we have all struggled enough,” Khwaza said.
“I am a trustworthy and hard working person. I'm innovative and can bring new methods to the company.”
Khwaza can be contacted on 073-434-5704 or khwazatobile@gmail.com.
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