From Exclusion to Engineer
"They told me I wouldn't make it. But eight years later, I walked out with an engineering degree from Wits: not just with a certificate, but with a spine forged through fire."
What most don't know is how brutal the journey was: not just academically, but emotionally, financially, and spiritually. My path wasn't straight. It was filled with academic exclusions, financial struggles, and moments of deep doubt. But each setback became a building block for resilience.
"I wasn't supposed to make it."
My academic record at Wits University tells a story most people wouldn't be proud of. But I am: not because I struggled, but because I overcame. I started my BSc in Civil Engineering in 2014. Year after year, I faced delays, exclusions, and setbacks: both academic and financial.
I was excluded more than once. Had to apply for readmission. Permitted to proceed on special curriculum. Told to repeat years. It wasn't linear. It wasn't smooth. But it was mine.
Every challenge shaped me. In 2021, I completed all requirements and qualified. Not just with a degree, but with a mindset built on grit and endurance.
Graduation Day Victory
After 8 years of struggle, the moment that made it all worthwhile. A victory against all odds.
My Academic Journey
| Term | Program | YOS | Progression Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 4 | Q - Completed all requirements for qualification |
| 2020 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | PSC - Permitted to proceed on a special curriculum |
| 2019 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | M1C - Renewal of registration permitted by Wits Readmissions Committee |
| 2018 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | M1C - Renewal of registration permitted by Wits Readmissions Committee |
| 2017 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | MBR - Exclusion waived - must return to the same year of study |
| 2016 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 2 | PCD - Permitted to proceed |
| 2015 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 2 | RET - Must return to complete requirements for year of study |
| 2014 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 1 | PCD - Permitted to proceed |
Legend: Wits Exams Board Progression Codes
- QQualification Completed: All degree requirements met. Final year successfully completed.
- PSCPermitted to Proceed on Special Curriculum: Allowed to continue with modified course load.
- M1CReadmissions Committee Approval: Permitted to re-register after academic review.
- MBRExclusion Waived: Academic exclusion lifted, must repeat the year of study.
- PCDPermitted to Proceed: Successfully completed year requirements, advance to next level.
- RETReturn to Complete: Must return to complete outstanding requirements for current year.
From Exclusion to Engineer: My Journey at Wits
I wasn't supposed to make it.
My academic record at Wits University tells a story most people wouldn't be proud of. But I am: not because I struggled, but because I overcame. I started my BSc in Civil Engineering in 2014. Year after year, I faced delays, exclusions, and setbacks: both academic and financial. I was excluded more than once. Had to apply for readmission. Permitted to proceed on special curriculum. Told to repeat years. It wasn't linear. It wasn't smooth. But it was mine.
Every challenge shaped me.
In 2021, I completed all requirements and qualified. Not just with a degree, but with a mindset built on grit and endurance.
And this pattern didn't just show up in school. When I was part of the road construction project in Burgersfort, we hit delays, unexpected issues, and major pressure. But just like my student journey, I pushed through. I saw it through: from breaking ground to full functional completion.
Because that's who I am.
I'm that engineer who endures at every level. I thrive under pressure and stand tall like the sun in the sky: always shining, no matter what.
2011-2013: High School Excellence
At Mmankala Commercial & Technical High School, I discovered my passion for engineering through subjects like Civil Technology and Engineering Graphics & Design. I consistently topped my classes, developing a strong foundation that would later help me persevere through university challenges.
Key Subjects:
- • Civil Technology
- • Engineering Graphics & Design
- • Mathematics
- • Physical Sciences
"I graduated with 3 straight A+ (Level 7s) and 4 Level 6s in my NSC results. My teachers saw potential in me that I would later have to remind myself of during the toughest university years."
2015: First Setback (RET - Must Return to Complete Requirements)
My first major academic challenge came in second year. I struggled with some of the core engineering subjects and was required to repeat the year to complete outstanding requirements. This was my first taste of academic adversity.
Challenging Subjects:
- • Structural Mechanics
- • Materials Science
- • Fluid Mechanics
"This was the year I learned that university wasn't just about being smart: it was about resilience, time management, and developing effective study methods. I had to completely rethink my approach to learning."
2016: Second Year Success (PCD - Permitted to Proceed)
After repeating second year, I found my stride. I developed better study habits and began to truly understand the engineering principles. This was the year I started tutoring other students in engineering graphics and design, discovering my talent for explaining complex concepts.
Key Subjects:
- • Engineering Surveying
- • Construction Materials
- • AutoCAD
"When I started helping other students with their work, I realized that teaching was actually strengthening my own understanding. This discovery would later become a cornerstone of my professional identity."
2017: Academic Exclusion (MBR - Exclusion Waived, Must Return to Same Year)
Third year brought new challenges with advanced engineering concepts. I faced academic exclusion but successfully appealed, having my exclusion waived. This was a pivotal moment that taught me to advocate for myself and navigate institutional systems.
Advanced Subjects:
- • Structural Analysis
- • Reinforced Concrete Design
- • Geotechnical Engineering
"The day I received my exclusion letter was one of the darkest of my life. But preparing my appeal forced me to reflect deeply on my purpose and commitment. When the exclusion was waived, I knew I had been given a second chance I couldn't waste."
2018-2019: Readmission Years (M1C - Readmission with Conditions)
For two consecutive years, I had to apply for readmission through the Wits Readmissions Committee. Each time, I had to prove why I deserved another chance. During this period, I worked on notable projects including a reinforced concrete design for a double-storey factory and a steel design hangar for a Cessna aircraft.
Key Projects & Skills:
- • Transportation Engineering
- • Steel Design
- • Prokon
- • Revit
"These years taught me persistence like nothing else. I designed a sewer pipeline along the Pienaars river valley between Mamelodi and Baviaanspoort, analyzing structural loads and estimating quantities. Each project was both a technical challenge and a chance to prove my capabilities."
2020: Special Curriculum (PSC - Permitted to Proceed on Special Curriculum)
The university created a special curriculum for me to progress, recognizing my determination despite past struggles. This was also when I began working as a Lead Mentor at Wits Academic Development & Leadership Unit, helping other students navigate their own academic challenges.
Focus Areas:
- • Integrated Resource Management
- • Infrastructure Planning
- • Mentorship
"As a Lead Mentor, I achieved an 80% success rate in helping mentees continue to the next academic year. The irony wasn't lost on me; I was helping others succeed while still fighting for my own academic survival."
2021: Qualification Completed (Q - Completed All Requirements)
After eight years of persistence, I completed all requirements for my BSc in Civil Engineering. However, financial constraints prevented me from receiving my physical degree immediately.
"The moment I saw 'Q - Completed all requirements for qualification' on my academic record was surreal. Eight years of struggle, condensed into a single letter code. But that 'Q' represented a victory against all odds."
2022: Receiving My Physical Degree
With the help of Amrut Foundation and the Wits Mentorship program, I worked on a garden project with a Johannesburg CBD community home. In exchange, they helped reduce my outstanding fees, allowing me to finally receive my physical BSc Honours degree (NQF level 8) in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
"Even after completing all academic requirements, I still had to overcome financial hurdles. Working with the community garden project reminded me that engineering isn't just about technical skills; it's about building and nurturing growth in all its forms."
2023-2025: Professional Engineering Career
From 2023 to 2025, I served as a Resident Engineer at Marumo Consulting Engineers in Burgersfort, where I supervised and managed the construction of a 1.1 km road project. My academic journey prepared me perfectly for the real-world challenges of engineering projects, where delays, unexpected issues, and pressure were constant companions.
"Every day on site, I draw on the resilience I developed at Wits. When we face construction challenges, I remember the academic obstacles I overcame. The road we're building is straight and well-designed, unlike my path to becoming an engineer, but both lead to valuable destinations."
Key Milestones
| Year | Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Graduated high school with distinction | Achieved 3 A+ (Level 7s) and 4 Level 6s in NSC results |
| 2014 | Started engineering at Wits | Received University Entrance Scholarship |
| 2015 | First academic setback | Required to repeat second year |
| 2017 | Academic exclusion & successful appeal | Learned to advocate for myself and navigate institutional systems |
| 2018-2019 | Readmission years | Worked on major projects including reinforced concrete design and steel hangar |
| 2020 | Special curriculum approval | Became Lead Mentor at Wits Academic Development Unit |
| 2021 | Completed all degree requirements | Qualified after 8 years of persistence |
| 2022 | Received physical degree | Worked with Amrut Foundation to resolve financial constraints |
| 2023 | Started as Resident Engineer | Managing 1.1km road construction project in Burgersfort |
How This Journey Shapes My Work
My 8-year journey taught me lessons that I now bring to every project and client relationship:
Persistence Through Obstacles
I don't quit when challenges arise. I've developed systems to push through difficulties and find solutions where others see only problems.
Deep Understanding of Failure
I've experienced setbacks firsthand and know how to recover, adapt, and ultimately succeed despite them.
Empathy for the Struggling
I connect with those facing challenges because I've been there. This shapes how I teach, mentor, and support others.
Appreciation for Process
I value the journey as much as the destination, finding meaning and growth in every step of the process.
"Engineering taught me that every structure has a breaking point. But more importantly, it taught me that with proper design, materials, and maintenance, structures can withstand forces far beyond what seems possible. The same is true for people."
(Samson Senyatsi)
The Transformation
What started as academic struggle became my greatest strength. I learned to endure, adapt, and persist when everything seemed impossible. I discovered that resilience isn't about never falling; it's about getting up every time you do.
Today, I use these hard-earned lessons to help others navigate their own challenges. My methods aren't theoretical: they're battle-tested through years of real struggle and eventual triumph.