With the support of her employer, she enrolled at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in 2014 and studied part-time for four years. In 2018, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human and social studies. She became one of the few domestic workers in South Africa who have attained a university degree.

Help One Helper provides information on how to enrol at university, career guidance, financial assistance, and mentorship to domestic workers who want to pursue their education. Mahlangu hopes that her initiative will inspire and motivate other helpers to follow their dreams and not give up on themselves.

Mahlangu is an example of resilience, determination, and courage. She overcame many obstacles and proved that nothing is impossible with hard work and dedication. She is a role model for many domestic workers who aspire to improve their lives through education. We want to celebrate Ntombizodwa today for being a go-getter, and enterprising. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.

In other news, Sthembile Mngwengwe a 40-year-old woman from South Africa has also achieved her dream of earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). What makes her story remarkable is that she worked as a cleaner at the same university for 14 years before becoming a student there.

Sthembile graduated from high school in 1998 and wanted to pursue higher education, but her parents could not afford to send her to college. She started working as a cleaner at UKZN in 2018 and took advantage of the opportunity to study there for free. However, it was not an easy journey for her, as she had to balance work and studies while being out of school for nearly 20 years.

“Balancing work and studies gave me a lot of stress,” she told News24. “But if you work hard and pray to God, He will help you to achieve what you want.”

Sthembile used her good time management skills to juggle her responsibilities and complete her degree. She said that working at the university and seeing the professors’ offices she often cleaned inspired her to pursue higher education. She also said that being on campus and seeing other students attend classes motivated her to be one of them.

“I was motivated by being on campus too, seeing students walking up and down going to their lecture theatres to attend classes made me wish to be them,” she said.

Sthembile also received support from her daughter and colleagues who encouraged her along the way. She hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams regardless of their age or circumstances.

Through our Success Stories portal, we celebrate Rising Africans of all ages and sectors who have risen above challenges and made impactful innovations. Our Wonder Kids section features young achievers aged 1-12, while the Super Teens category highlights those aged 13-19, and Young Achievers profiles those aged 20-30. We also have dedicated portals for Women in Africa and persons living with disabilities.

In addition to celebrating African achievement, our Opportunities portal connects African youth to the latest sponsorship, scholarship, awards, and other life-changing opportunities. By providing access to these opportunities, we aim to empower African youth to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.

At Rising Africa, we believe in the limitless potential of Africans to create a prosperous future for the continent. Join us in celebrating African excellence and building a brighter future for Africa.