“My Grandfather's Salary Was a Can of Beef": Graduate Shares Inspiring Story

- A graduate and a woman from Limpopo, Dimakatso Makinta, shared the story of how her grandfather struggled as she grew up under challenging conditions

- The Central University of Technology graduate, Dimakatso Makinta, says her grandmother was paid R400 whilst her granddad's salary was just a tin of canned meat

- The story of Dimakatso Makinta seeks to inspire many South Africans - with focus, one can achieve academic success

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In an influential story of academic excellence, Dimakatso Makinta, has opted against withholding a success story as she recently bagged a degree in project management.

Makinta's story is relayed by Varsity World, a publication that documents testimonies from those that grew up under challenging conditions, but decided not to give up.

Taking a look at her LinkedIn page, Makinta studied at the Central University of Technology in the Free State and is in possession of a Professional Qualification and Level 8 qualification in Project Management - she is working for Mimecast.

According to the Facebook page, Makinta grew up in a disadvantaged surrounding where she says eating meat and bread was just a privilege.

She recounts how her mother had to work for a meagre salary of under R1 000 per month while her grandmother earned a monthly salary of R400. Makinta said:

"Just like every other black child story. Mom was 14 years when she had me. A very painful situation she was in. Me, Mom, as well as three of my mom's siblings depended on my grandma, who was a kitchen girl, and grandpa, who was a garden boy.”

As her family struggled to make ends meet, she went further to say her grandfather's payment was just a tin of canned meat. She added:

“Grandmother earned R400 a month, while grandfather, the only payment he received from his employer was a “tin beef” every Wednesday. The only meat I knew was the tin beef which we had to share every other Wednesday. Bread was not for us, that was way too expensive.”

Speaking about her grandmother's struggles, the new graduate continued to say her Gogo came back home with leftovers. She continued:

“Grandma returned home each day with the food she was given by her employer. You know when you just bite meat or bread and then decide, arghh I cannot eat this, then you throw it away? My grandma collected all those leftovers for us.

“Finally, mom had to hustle for a job too and the only thing she knew was cooking. She then worked at a restaurant as a cook and earning just below R1 000. That R1 000 she had to look after me and her three younger sisters.

“You know the struggle? I was young and all I did was to enjoy food from other people's mouths, for as long as there was cheese and bacon - I was super happy.

“We wore torn clothes, third-to-forth-hand clothes from other people.”

The Facebook post has attracted comments from the followers who shared the same sentiments in as far as congratulating the resilient woman.

@Kamani Ramasamy said:

"Please continue with the rest of your story. Wow, you and your family are amazing. Thank you for sharing. We are proud of you."

@Machipa Letsoalo said:

"What an inspiring story. Congratulations to you and your grandma's generation."

@Sing van Maglera summed it up:

"The sky is the limit which we will never limit. But on earth, if you put your mindset towards achieving something you want, nothing will stop you."

Meanwhile, Briefly.co.za ran a report on Namibian woman, Ndatega Asheela-Shikalepo, who celebrated her academic achievement as she was also accepted by the High Court of Namibia.

Asheela-Shakalepo's recent milestone was penned by Varsity World, an online publication seeking to celebrate academic excellence.

The website has detailed Asheela-Shakalepo's journey to stardom, saying that she was conferred with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Pretoria.

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Source: Briefly News