Night watchman armed with a degree

Lebogang Mosikare
Correspondent | Monday August 12, 2013 00:00

 

He is a man who defied odds by becoming one of the few people, if not the only person, in the country in his line of duty to acquire a Diploma and then ultimately, a Degree in Human Resources Management (HRM) from Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL).His is truly a 'Phoenix rising from the ashes' legend. He did not perform well in his junior certificate examinations at Shakawe Community Junior Secondary School in 1993, but Shadipupu did not let that become an obstacle. He instead embarked on a grand mission to Namibia in 1996 to finish his senior secondary education.

'I went to Namibia to complete my education because I noticed that people who never went far with education are suffering. I view education as a tool that can unlock opportunities for people. Education is the greatest gift that no one can take from you,' said Shadipupu. According to experts in business and economics, a good business plan sometimes does not necessarily mean that a planned business entity will be successful. But Shadipupu's sojourn in Namibia saw his dream deferred again. He said he was expelled from Max Makashe Senior Secondary School in 1998 while doing Form Four for allegedly inciting other students to strike.

'I was a student leader at the school and was fired because authorities thought I was a ringleader who encouraged other students to strike. As student leaders, we were against the expulsion of students for petty reasons that did not really warrant dismissal,' said Shadipupu.Just like Aeneas in Virgil's famous book, The Aeneid, Shadipupu's fate was pre-determined and could not be changed by any living force. He said his expulsion from school did not go down well with his parents who labeled him a rebel.Shadipupu said after being expelled, he returned to Botswana to pick up the pieces of his life. 'From 1998-2001 I started working for private security companies. I used the money I earned to study for a Diploma in Hotel Operations and Management with Cambridge International College through correspondence, which I successfully completed. 

At the same time, I studied for a Professional Guide License with a government aided wildlife school in Maun,' said a jovial Shadipupu.Shadipupu said from 2005 to 2007 he enrolled with BOCODOL to complete his senior secondary school certificate. 'I like BOCODOL because it is a very flexible institution. It allowed me time to write exams at my convenience.  For example, I could sit for only two exam subjects in a year until I'd fulfill all the requirements of qualifying to be awarded a certificate,' said Shadipupu.Shadipupu's lust for education did not end there.'After obtaining 36 points in my Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) I enrolled again with BOCODOL for a Diploma in HRM from 2008 to 2010, which I successfully completed.I then studied for a Degree in HRM with the same institution from 2011 to 2013 and I am very happy because I will be among people who will be graduating in November,' said Shadipupu.

Shadipupu, who still works at Mmei CJSS in Francistown as a government night watchman, said he could not have accomplished his dream had it not been for the support he got from his family - especially his wife. He said he will quit his current job if he gets a job that suits his academic qualifications.He said he has applied in the past but was not successful. An official at BOCODOL who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity because she was not authorised to speak to the media confirmed that Shadipupu will be among those graduating in November.