Despite facing several hurdles Annalene October was determined to graduate with a degree.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Administration degree from the Regent Business School recently she recounted her struggle to get further education.
Now 53 years old, she said October did not pass matric in 1987 and fell pregnant the following year.
She initially worked at Rainbow Chicken in Worcester, Western Cape for 20 years until her husband became ill, which forced her to quit her job.
In 2016 October started working at Breede Valley Municipality as a cleaner in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and was promoted to front-desk receptionist.
In 2018, the Regent Business School visited the municipality, which then offered a few employees the opportunity to enrol in a few programmes.
“I applied for the Bachelor of Administration degree course and passed with great results,” October said.
“This qualification benefited me as I now have the opportunity to apply for any administration position at work.”
A challenging experience was when her husband died as she was commencing her lectures. Throughout her three years of study October had neither access to the Internet nor her own laptop. She was unable to attend webinars due to a lack of resources. But she pursued her studies, nonetheless.
October took the time to study late into the night, when it was quiet, after putting two kids to bed and cleaning the house.
With the death of her husband she wanted to end her studies because it was becoming too difficult. However, October chose to continue in honour of him.
“I knew he was proud of me studying at my age and today he would have been very proud of my achievements.
“We are all responsible for our own well-being. It is necessary to take care of oneself. I can live without much, knowing that my sacrifices will not be in vain.
“My greatest strength is in being an independent woman, and my children and grandchildren are my inspiration,” she said.
October is extremely grateful to Regent Business School for the opportunity and is thankful to her employer for sponsoring her studies.
Her recipe for success in life is to be humble, observe, listen, and learn.
“My message of support for aspiring youth wanting to make a success of their lives is that there is no excuse for not achieving your goals in life.
“Regent Business School is bringing the opportunity to study in the comfort of your home. Age must not be used as a factor for not wanting to further your studies,” she said.
