At age 23, Puseletso Mabuse from Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga has proved that anyone can achieve success despite challenges in life. She gave birth to a baby girl in her second year of studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), raised the baby at a rented room in Soweto and two years later she graduated cum laude with a national diploma in Credit Management.

Mabuse lost her mother in 2005 at a young age and together with her sister were raised by their supportive father. Coming from a family of educated people, the need to succeed despite having a child at a young age provided her with the motivation to work harder to reach her dreams. She wrote sick tests a few days after giving birth to her baby. On Wednesday, 3 May 2017, Mabuse graduated with flying colours at the newly refurbished auditorium.

Mabuse says she enrolled for Credit Management because the course opens a wide range of career opportunities in commerce. “Studying at UJ has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. I am now a step closer to becoming a qualified chartered accountant. The University’s inclusive access to education and its prime location in a city of possibilities, have changed my life forever,” says Mabuse.

Although she graduated cum laude, Mabuse says that she does not have a recipe for passing with distinctions, but believes that hard work and passion bear success for determined people. “My family is my source of inspiration. Having a baby at a young age, for me, sharpened my edge to do more than normal because I wanted to be able to provide for her in the future. My advice for anyone that shares a similar life story as me, is that when you believe in something, it is better to take a step in getting to your dreams – procrastination killed many people’s dreams. Take action,” explains Mabuse.

She is currently enrolled for a BComPT in Financial Accounting at UNISA.