Siphenkosi Nqoro’s life story is a beacon of inspiration, resilience, and determination.
Rising above adversity, he balanced 12-hour night shifts as a petrol attendant with his full-time studies to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming an attorney.
After completing matric with outstanding results, Siphenkosi faced the harsh reality of unemployment at home.
“After high school, I needed to find paid work to help my unemployed parents,” he explained.
To support his family, Siphenkosi began working full-time at a Shell garage in Mdantsane.
Despite the financial strain, he remained determined to honor a personal promise.
“Law is something I have always wanted to do, and I promised myself that despite the odds, I’d always pursue my ambition,” he said.
In 2016, Siphenkosi was admitted as a law student at the University of Fort Hare.
This marked a turning point in his life as he embarked on the challenging path of balancing work and academics.
“I knew I would have to juggle my studies and work, so I had to talk to my work supervisor. He was glad to hear that I’ll be attending university full-time, and he gave me permission to pursue the degree,” Siphenkosi said. H
Notably, Siphenkosi’s work schedule was grueling.
“I used to work the night shift, bathe and prepare for school, and then be expected to go to work again. But the garage staff was quite flexible. Sometimes I would approach my superiors and ask them to adapt my schedule, and they would do it gracefully,” he shared.
However, the road was not without its obstacles.
In 2017, Siphenkosi faced financial hardships when he encountered issues with NSFAS funding.
This left him with university debt that he had to clear on his own before receiving his degree certificate.
Despite these difficulties, Siphenkosi persevered and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Fort Hare in 2021.
Following his graduation, Siphenkosi began his articles of clerkship with Gondongwana Ngonyama Pakade Attorneys, a law firm in East London.
He passed his board exams in 2023, a significant milestone in his journey to becoming an attorney.
In July 2024, Siphenkosi’s dream became a reality when he was sworn in as an attorney of the Makhanda High Court in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Reflecting on his journey, he offers encouragement to others facing similar struggles, “My advice to others, who may fear to chase their dreams, is to start as soon as they can, despite the odds.”
Siphenkosi recalls the challenges of his university days vividly.
“I came to the university with one blanket and saw my peers receiving financial help from home, but it was different for me – I had to be the provider,” he noted.
Despite these hardships, Siphenkosi’s unwavering commitment to his goals kept him moving forward.
“Anyone with the same dream I had must be willing to go the extra mile,” he said.
Siphenkosi’s remarkable journey serves as a reminder that, with perseverance and determination, no obstacle is insurmountable.
