Being Educated...

 It has been a few days since my return from what was a hectic weekend of partying and catching up with good friends. After weeks of mounting excitement, I finally arrived in Pretoria with two objectives in mind. Firstly, to have a hectic weekend of partying and secondly to find inspiring stories from my friends who are working hard to achieve their goals.

Now, if you've spent time in Pretoria, you would understand how vibrant this city is and how alive it becomes just after 5pm. So in terms of a great partying weekend, I was sorted. Next was an outfit fitting for what was to be a great night. However, I do not want to dwell on the details of the social scene.

 I sat down with a group of my good friends and it suddenly hit me-we travelled a tough journey and here we are. I had a flash back of the hard times we endured during our student days. The tests we failed, the dead lines that seemed impossible to meet and the struggle we all faced of staying positive.

Our different goals seemed out of reach- over shadowed by the difficulty of our studies. I remember us marching on, fighting, trying... At times we had no fighting strength left,, but giving up was not an option.

 Years later, we sit in this restaurant laughing and enjoying what is a new chapter of our lives. We sit in a group of professionals- Mining Engineers,Chemical Engineers, Industrial Engineers and Investment Bankers discussing the challenges we face in the corporate sector.

We sit here discussing projects that have the potential to change lives, personal goals, growth prospects and our achievements as we continue on the journey to becoming great,competent and young Africans.

This for me was a reminder that there is a reward that comes from being educated- that the sacrifices we make in pursuit of being educated yield a return. It might seem like its not possible currently, but with patience, hard work and determination.... You will reap the rewards!

Smile, laugh , live