Ntombizodwa Merriam Mahlangu, a 32-year-old woman who once worked as a housemaid, has defied all odds to bag a university degree.

She graduated from the Department of Public Administration and Communication Facilitation at the University of South Africa (UNISA) after winning a sponsorship from her employer, Advocate A.J.A. Cornelius.

Mahlangu’s path to higher education was hindered by a series of setbacks. She lost her parents at a young age and had financial difficulties.

At the age of 19, she also faced the additional responsibility of an unplanned pregnancy, which made her abandon her education and start working as a housemaid for Cornelius.

Under Cornelius’ guidance and mentorship, her life began to transform. She learned valuable skills such as computer proficiency, mastered Microsoft Office, and even gained her driver’s licence.

With his support, she was able to pursue her academic ambitions at the University of South Africa and earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Administration and Communication Facilitation.

Ntombizodwa Mahlangu took to social media to express her gratitude and acknowledge her mentor. She referred to him as her father, and she thanked him for his unwavering support throughout her journey.

“#ImStaying because of my father, Adv A.J.A Cornelius. Our relationship started when I worked for him as a domestic worker and raising his daughter. He informally adopted me as one of his daughters as well. This platform is not enough to share everything that he has done for me.

“I lost both my parents during my studies. He is the only parent I had on my graduation day. I hope my uncles will understand when I ask them to keep his portion from my ‘lobola’,” she said.