“I didn’t have a laptop when I studied, I did it on my phone because it was an online course. I sometimes sat in the garden studying, knowing that my hard work will one day pay off.”

These were the words of 27 year old Steven Arendse from Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, who went through many obstacles to obtain his N2 certificate in Mechanical Engineering.  Arendse pushed trolleys for a number of years at a local supermarket near him, earning money for both his family and paying for a course he did. During an interview with Smile 90.4 fm, Arendse said he failed three times at this course but never gave up. Arendse was approached by Jasmine Arnold, a regular shopper at the supermarket. She was intrigued by his story and decided to share it on a popular Facebook group, which went viral afterwards.

He is now a qualified Mechanical Engineer with a permanent job in Stikland. Arendse says, he hope that his journey inspire many other young men and women.

“If I can do it, so can you. It is all about putting your mind on something you always wanted to do, and working hard at it. Nobody is going to open doors for you unless you open them yourself. I want a better life for myself and my family which I managed to do regardless of my circumstances.”