Nicky representing three remarkable stages of her successful journey from working as a petrol attendant and cashier to ultimately becoming an Information Technology graduate. A powerful journey of perseverance, growth, and determination, proving that every step along the way can lead to something greater.

From working long, exhausting shifts as a petrol attendant and cashier at local garages to studying late into the night, Nthabiseng “Nicky” Pesa has endured a journey defined by sacrifice, resilience and unwavering determination. Now, after years of balancing work, family responsibilities and her education, she is set to earn two qualifications and graduate in the same month, a remarkable achievement that stands as a powerful testament to choosing hope when life offered little of it.

After completing matric in 2017, Nicky knew she wanted to further her studies but there was an immediate obstacle. Her mother was unemployed and could not afford to pay for her registration fees. As the eldest daughter, she understood that her responsibilities extended beyond her own dreams. Her younger brother was still at school, and she knew her mother could not carry the financial burden alone. “At that stage, I knew I also had a responsibility towards my family,” she reflects.

At the beginning of 2018, she struggled to find employment. Rather than allowing unemployment to derail her dreams, she enrolled at Motheo TVET College, where she pursued a part-time Marketing Management programme from N4 to N6.

Although she was fortunate to receive funding from NSFAS, the financial support did not cover all her needs. There were still bills to pay, a family to support, and everyday responsibilities to meet. Nicky knew she could not simply wait for circumstances to change; she had to find a way to keep moving forward.

In December 2018, an opportunity finally came. Nicky secured a job at a local Shell Garage, a breakthrough that offered her a measure of financial stability. But for Nicky, a working day from 07:00 to 16:00 was only the beginning. The moment her shift ended, she would head straight to class, studying from 16:00 until 20:00. Day after day, she moved between work and lectures, often running on little more than determination and the belief that her sacrifices would one day be worth it.

There were nights when she cried herself to sleep. Moments when exhaustion made giving up seem easier than carrying on. She faced failed modules, financial hardship, job losses and periods of temporary employment, while constantly trying to balance earning an income, supporting her family and keeping up with her studies.

Yet, every time life knocked her down, Nicky found a reason to rise again.

Then, in January 2021, another setback arrived. She lost her job, and once again, uncertainty became part of her daily life. But she refused to let another disappointment determine her future. Whenever an opportunity arose, she took it. She worked wherever she could find employment, not because the jobs were easy or glamorous, but because she needed to survive, continue her education and help support her family.

For her, education was never simply about earning qualifications or building a career. It was about creating a better future while helping her family survive the present. She knew the road ahead would demand sacrifice, test her strength and push her to the limits of what she believed she could endure. Still, she kept going.

The routine was physically and emotionally exhausting, but she constantly reminded herself that she was working towards a future bigger than her present circumstances. Every long day, every late-night study session and every difficult decision brought her one step closer to the life she envisioned.

Today, at 26, the young woman from Bloemfontein is preparing to celebrate not one, but two graduation ceremonies and two qualifications in the same month. “These achievements represent far more than academic success. They are a testament to every sacrifice I made, every obstacle I overcame, every tear I shed, and every moment when I chose not to quit.”

Her story is a powerful reminder that circumstances may delay the dream, but they do not have to destroy it. Sometimes, resilience is simply refusing to stop moving forward even when the next step is blurry.

In 2022, Nicky applied to the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) to pursue a Diploma in Information Technology. She was accepted and received funding, giving her hope that the financial uncertainty that had followed her for years might finally ease. “For a moment, it seemed as though the puzzle pieces were finally falling into place. But the funding was only paid twice a year, and once again, I found myself struggling to make ends meet,” she recalls.

Determined to keep moving forward, she secured another job in the following year, this time at a BP Garage. The income provided much-needed support and allowed her to contribute towards her family’s needs each month.

But earning an income while studying full-time came with its own demands. “Trying to balance employment, family responsibilities and university was not easy. When I was working night shifts, I studied during the day. When I worked day shifts, I would go straight from work to campus. On my days off, while many people were resting, I spent my entire days on campus trying to catch up with my academic work. Sometimes I would swap shifts with colleagues because of upcoming tests or examinations,” she said.

For Nicky, there was little room for rest. Every shift, lecture, study session and examination became part of a relentless balancing act, one she was willing to endure because she knew what was waiting for her at the end of the journey.

At the same time, she was completing her in-service training at her workplace as part of her journey towards completing her Marketing Management Diploma with the TVET college. “There were days when there simply were not enough hours and eventually, the pressure took its toll on me, and I failed some of my modules. I felt defeated, overwhelmed and disappointed. I started doubting myself but despite it all, I realised that giving up was not an option.”

Nicky repeated the academic year, worked harder and continued moving forward. “Giving up was never an option because I knew I had a purpose, and I knew what I wanted to accomplish. Those words capture my heart. My journey was not easy, I continued because my destination mattered”

Today, Nicky stands on the other side of years of uncertainty, exhaustion and sacrifice. She is preparing for two graduation ceremonies and two qualifications in the same month. “What once seemed impossible is now within reach. When I look back, I sees more than certificates…I sees the early mornings, late nights, long shifts, tears, doubts, failure and triumph,” she said

Her journey carries a powerful message for anyone who may currently feel trapped by their circumstances. “Your current situation is not necessarily the final chapter of your story. There may be moments when you question whether you are strong enough to continue, but none of those moments has to define how your story ends. Ask for help when you need it. Rest when you are tired. Cry when you need to, and when you are ready, get back up,” she declares.

Nicky Pesa’s story is not simply about obtaining a qualification. It is a story of choosing hope when life offered very little of it; of carrying responsibility while pursuing a dream; and of falling yet finding the courage to rise again. It is a story of sacrifice, family, faith, and an unshakeable belief that tomorrow can be better than today. Above all, it is a reminder that sometimes, progress is simply finding the courage to take one more step. “The difference between where you are and where you dream of being is simply the courage to take one more step.”

As she prepares to graduate from Motheo TVET College, Nicky is celebrating more than just an academic achievement. She is celebrating the woman she has become along the way, as well as the family who gave her another reason to keep pushing forward. She is also celebrating every person who supported and encouraged her, opened a door for her, or simply reminded her not to give up when the going got tough.