After high school, with no money to further his education, Thembela Zonke was forced to find full-time employment just to make ends meet. In 2005 he found himself working at Jet Stores in Boksburg where the realisation that he would never be able to save towards studying on his salary prompted the decision to visit the Department of Labour and inquire about the various learnership programmes on offer. It was through his inquiry and his completion of the relevant application forms that Thembela was invited as one of 2500 other hopeful applicants for an interview at African Academy.

As one of only 200 candidates who were successful in their application, Thembela considers this to have been a ‘God-given opportunity’ – one which he has held onto with both hands and never ceased to appreciate. With his approachable nature, positive outlook and go-getting spirit, it is no surprise that Thembela was elected to be a member of the Academy’s Student Representative Council (SRC). Once again, he saw this as a wonderful opportunity to extend himself and acquire new and enabling social skills and experience.

The Committee’s Golf Day Fundraiser aimed at raising funds for the students of 2006 for transport money and registration fees was a huge success and there was even enough money to go towards 2007’s student intake in the hope of incentivising their SRC to run similar initiatives. Although having no previous experience in event organizing, the success of the project has taught Thembela not to fear challenges, and has given him the confidence in his ability to make a success of that into which he puts his heart and his mind.

After completing his one year General Draughting Certificate at the Academy last year in 2006, Thembela was placed at a company called Foster Wheeler where he is currently working as a junior piping designer. The position sees him spending a lot of his time in the Design Office as well as going for sites visits, where he is receiving valuable training and mentorship from his colleagues and superiors.

Committed to promoting the Academy and its students, Thembela has already provided some of his fellow graduates from 2006 with application forms for open posts at his company, Foster Wheeler. He also actively distributes application forms for the Academy to young matriculants and students with similar backgrounds to his own, who are interested in getting into the field of draughting. Of the ten individuals he has encouraged to enroll at the Academy, three have already joined the Academy – one of whom is Thembela’s younger sister who matriculated last year and whom he encouraged to use the Academy’s course in General Draughting as a shortcut to break into engineering.

When asked what motivates him to be such a proud ambassador of the Academy, Thembela puts it down to his ‘huge appreciation for the tremendous difference African Academy has made in his life, and his strong desire to spread the word of their good work and share the opportunities they create with others.’ He adds that his inspiration comes from the selflessness of Principal Debbie van Niekerk and Mrs Alta Neto (Academic Manager) & the lecturers who always put the needs and well-being of their students first and go to all lengths to help kick-start their careers.

Thembela is confident that the Academy will go from strength to strength as it grows in numbers and credibility. He is also hopeful that they will introduce new courses to their curriculum to attract new and past students like himself who may be interested in specializing further.