FEEL GOOD | Businessman ‘moved’ by Dumisani Ngobese’s resilience, offers student permanent job
UKZN student Dumisani Ngobese with Durban businessman Calvin Mathibeli.
- A Durban businessman offered Dumisani Ngobese a permanent job.
- The news came less than 24 hours after the 23-year-old graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
- His moving images have flooded South Africa’s social media pages.
The future of Dumisani Ngobese, a graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), is secure after he successfully lands a permanent job as well as the costs of his honors degree.
On Friday, South Africans were moved by the emotion of the 23-year-old on stage during his graduation.
Now, in just under 24 hours, he has caught the eye of Durban businessman, owner of Calvin and Family Groups Companies, Calvin Mathibeli.
You’ve seen the picture now know the story behind Dumisani Ngobese, 23, couldn’t hold back tears after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in a ceremony held Friday at the Westville campus of the UKZN. (1/7) #UKZNGrad2022 pic.twitter.com/169GtpeTjq
— University of KZN (@UKZN) May 13, 2022
On Saturday, the UKZN released a statement saying Mathibeli was ready to offer Ngobese a permanent job in his company as well as pay for his honors degree, which he is currently pursuing at university.
According to UKZN’s statement, the 34-year-old businessman’s group of companies has interests in agriculture and minerals, and has 12 subsidiaries with offices in seven provinces and a presence in Namibia and Lesotho.
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The statement said Ngobese’s post on the university’s page went viral, with thousands of South Africans offering words of encouragement and some pledging various donations.
Among these was Mathibeli, who was moved by Ngobese’s story.
Dumisani, who is currently pursuing an honors degree, said he was overwhelmed with emotions as he reflected on what he said was a “long and difficult” journey. He was raised by his maternal grandmother in Bhukhanana, a rural area outside eMpangeni. (2/7) #UKZNGrad2022 pic.twitter.com/X0gZ06FU9R
— University of KZN (@UKZN) May 13, 2022
In a statement, Mathibeli said: “I was so moved by his story because of his resilience, but also because of the similarities we have in terms of background. I spoke to him yesterday and was very moved by its history.
“Ngobese’s story resonated with my own experiences.
“I was also raised by my grandmother in a big family, but our resilience has made us who we are. I want to make sure that Ngobese can earn a living, so that he can also contribute to his family. All I need from him is respect for the job.”
“My grandmother was a street vendor and the only breadwinner in the house where there were more than 10 children,” he said. Unfortunately for Dumisani, his grandmother was unable to make the trip to see him graduate due to health issues. (3/7) #UKZNGrad2022 pic.twitter.com/CqE7IRX7VR
— University of KZN (@UKZN) May 13, 2022
Mathibeli said there were other vacancies, but he created a special one for Ngobese, who would start work on Monday.
“Of course, business is not for everyone…what we will do is find out what their dreams are and we will complete them,” Mathibeli said.
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