An Empangeni woman who returned to high school to complete matric at the age of 31, recently graduated with a BA and also a post-graduate certificate in education (PGCE)

Meet Nobuhle Nunu, who returned to school in grade 11 at the age of 31. Some people in her community laughed at her, but she didn’t let that discourage her. Last year, she earned her first junior degree and on April 18, 2023, she graduated with a PGCE. She is now a certified high school teacher. It’s an inspirational story and a reminder that you are never too old to pursue education. Let’s congratulate her!

 

 

 

On Monday, Nobuhle Nunu Mpanza, who is married with two children, told The Witness that she fell pregnant at the age of 18 and dropped out of high school.

Mpanza said when she went back to school she was the joke of the community.Relatives and her neighbours told her she was crazy and a disgrace to society.

When I fell pregnant, my parents and myself were heartbroken because life was tough at home. In the same year, I did attempt to write my Grade 12 final exams but unfortunately failed and my results were very bad.
READ MOREYou know it is a disgrace and against our culture to fall pregnant before marriage. You can imagine what I went through with the family, church and community. After more than 10 years of sitting and hustling around, I decided to go back to school full time,” said Mpanza.She said the school she had registered at did not call her to confirm if she had been accepted. Not letting that deter her, she dressed up as a pupil and went to the school and explained her situation.

The staff had a small meeting and told her she could attend classes.

After she successfully passed her matric, she enrolled at the university.

Mpanza said she is grateful to her husband Njabulo Mpanza, who encouraged her and “supported her all the way