From kitchen to grad stage: Dining Hall queen bags her Wits degree!
- Wits University
Wits staff member, graduates with a BA in Political Studies, proving that hard work pays off. Her story is goals.
Wits University is all about celebrations this season, as Busisiwe Innocentia Mndebele went from serving meals to serving major grad vibes! She officially graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies, proving that hustle and ambition can take you anywhere.
By day, Mndebele has been a dedicated staff member at Wits Dining Hall Catering Services, making sure students in Catered and Non-Catered Residences never go hungry. But behind the scenes, she was grinding hard to earn her degree.
“It’s been quite a tough journey. I have been juggling family, school, work, and my personal life, but I have remained consistent and dedicated," says Convocation Dining Hall catering supervisor, Mndebele.
Juggling work and studies wasn’t easy, but she made it happen! From dishing up meals to dishing out inspiration, Mndebele’s story is all about pushing through and making dreams a reality.
"My dream has always been to graduate in the field of politics. I first came to Wits in 2012 as part of a service provider, and in 2017, we were insourced. When I became a Wits employee, I gained access to study benefits. Since I couldn’t afford the fees before, I took this opportunity to pursue my studies and make my dream a reality."
Wits employee study benefits are gold—this institution provides bursaries for staff members and their dependents, covering 100% of tuition fees at Wits and 75% at other institutions. “The University played a crucial role in my journey, as I wouldn’t have been able to afford the fees without its support. That assistance gave me the strength and determination to overcome challenges. Being a Wits graduate instills a sense of endless possibilities and fuels my desire to keep learning,” says Mndebele.
Wits graduations are always special, but moments like these hit different.