“This Is Encouraging”: Mzansi Graduate Lands International Job With Degree Criticised Back Home

• A South African hospitality graduate secured a job in the United States, proving critics wrong about tourism qualifications
• He shared his journey from Marco Island, Florida, saying he stood up whenever people dismissed hospitality degrees
• Mzansi graduates in the same industry thanked him, saying his story gave them hope to explore opportunities abroad
• Briefly News spoke to Trudy Sono, a tourism graduate, education activist and academic, as well as another education voice who goes by the username The Toffee Brand, to unpack the stigma surrounding Tourism qualifications

With South Africa facing high unemployment and youth joblessness remaining a major challenge, his success story resonated deeply. Many hospitality graduates struggle to secure stable local employment despite holding formal qualifications. His journey highlighted the value of resilience, quality education, and the courage to pursue global opportunities beyond borders.

A South African hospitality graduate is inspiring thousands after landing a job in the United States, proving that qualifications often criticised back home can open international doors. In a video posted on 12 February 2026 from Marco Island, Florida, @alexmzizi24 proudly shared his journey, saying he stands up whenever people question tourism and hospitality degrees because he made it against all odds.

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The graduate highlighted how demanding his undergraduate journey was, describing it as far from easy. He credited the high standard of South African education for preparing him to compete globally. Despite feeling that many qualified professionals are undervalued locally, he acknowledged that the foundation he received equipped him with the resilience and technical skills needed to thrive abroad.

Tourism graduate proved critics wrong

South Africa continues to battle high unemployment, with youth unemployment remaining one of the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges. Many graduates in hospitality and tourism struggle to secure stable employment locally, leading some to explore international opportunities. His story resonated deeply with South Africans in the same industry, with many saying they now feel encouraged to look beyond borders for growth and opportunity. User @alexmzizi24 wrote:

“Proudly a South African Hospitality Professional Graduate working and living in the United States of America. As much as we love our country, the thing is, they don’t value us with our qualifications and everything. I will give them one thing: the credit for providing the best education possible. ♥️ My undergrad was not easy, but we made it regardless. 🔥🫶🏼 Always had it in me that I would work abroad once I am done with studying, and I did with this post. I am not bragging, but I am hoping to bring hope to hopeless people out here who think Hospitality is useless or difficult to find employment with. ♥️ Ngithi mina put yourself out here and push to the core ayikho into engenzeki.”

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Mzansi flooded the comments with gratitude, thanking him for giving hope to struggling graduates. His message was that hospitality is not useless, and success is possible with perseverance, confidence, and the courage to pursue global opportunities.

Trudy explained o Briefly News that the way Tourism is treated in South Africa begins as early as Grade 10.

“Learners are often told to choose Tourism because it is ‘easy’ and it will boost their matric marks. Many go into it with that mindset. They’re not choosing it because they understand the industry, but to collect marks and improve their APS.”

She said that this perception follows students all the way to university level, affecting how seriously the qualification is taken.

“Even after graduation, tourism graduates are not always prioritised when jobs are advertised, sometimes experience is valued more than the qualification itself. That reinforces the idea that Tourism is not serious enough.”

However, Trudy emphasised that the degree offers far more than people realise.

“A Tourism degree teaches much more than travel and holidays. You learn customer service, marketing, event management, entrepreneurship, working with different cultures, destination planning and understanding tourism’s impact on the economy. You are trained in service excellence, Batho Pele principles, problem solving and creating experiences that generate income.”

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She added that when South African graduates land international roles, it proves the qualification’s value.

“In many countries, tourism is recognised as a strong economic sector. Sometimes we don’t fully recognise the potential of our own graduates until someone else does.”

According to Trudy, Tourism has the potential to produce entrepreneurs, managers and leaders, but it must be taken seriously from school level through to employment.

The education activist known as The Toffee Brand highlighted another layer to the issue, generational pressure and economic realities.

“In a country where many people are breaking generational barriers, being the first graduate carries significant weight. Families often prioritise qualifications perceived as secure, while Tourism is viewed as risky because of high unemployment.”

She explained that the stigma attached to Tourism is not necessarily about what is taught, but about how narrowly the degree is understood.

“Little is said about how to navigate the qualification across multiple career pathways. The focus is often on entry-level roles instead of broader opportunities across sectors. As a result, the qualification is underestimated.”

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She also pointed out that tourism students gain highly transferable skills, including Public Relations.

“Public Relations is a transferable skill that can be applied across various sectors. Tourism graduates are trained to communicate clearly across different cultures and contexts.”

Check out the TikTok video below:

Here’s what Mzansi said

Andiswa.Kwanele said:

"As a tourism student, I feel so encouraged because I've heard people belittling the course, and it got to a point where I felt like 'It really is a waste of time.' Congratulations, brother, on your success. 🙏❤ And thank you so much for this video."

Angell said:

"You just gained a follower. Tourism to the world. 🌍 Soon I’ll be there. 🥰💗"

Mimo said:

"Watching this, and I am a Tourism graduate sitting at home trying by all means not to be depressed because sitting at home is not something I’d wish for anyone, but this bhuti just gave me hope. 😊😊😊 Thank you. ♥️"

Chef Pat said:

"Proud of you, stranger. ❤️❤️❤️"

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Chonhee said:

"What a motivation as a tourism graduate. 🥺😭"

Sthandiwe🇿🇦🇺🇸 said:

"I think I’m stealing all your posts today. 😭👍🏾❤️"

3 Other Briefly News stories about working abroad

• A young South African woman working in Germany returned home for the holidays and surprised her mother with new leather couches.
• A Nigerian woman living in the UK shared her frustration after calculating her monthly expenses and realising her minimum wage salary was barely enough.
• A South African woman living in Manchester opened up about the real things that living in the UK costs her, prompting reactions.

Source: Briefly News