This week our team caught up with Lerato Bhayi (25), who achieved 8 distinctions in her Public Relations qualification and believes that it is important to involve God in every journey, while keeping in mind the importance of not despising small beginnings. Read her inspiring story below.
I was born in Mpumalanga, Sandriver and I am the youngest of three children. I attended primary school at Educode and went to an all girl’s Catholic boarding school at Glen Cowie; I then went to another boarding school at Cefups Academy in Nelspruit. I attended school between three provinces that is where I learned how to speak a few different South African languages. I enrolled for Development Studies at the University of Johannesburg in 2013; in my heart of hearts, I knew that this was not something that I really saw myself pursuing as a career. It was difficult getting my family to understand that I wanted to explore my talents; it was one of my challenging years, but through it all, my family has been an amazing support system. I believe in doing things from the heart or not at all, I have always had high expectations of myself, so I kept a positive spirit and had to gear up. I then went to Rosebank College, Pretoria in 2014, where I completed a three year Diploma in Public Relations, with 8 Distinctions from the first year to the last year of my studies.
I believe in doing things from the heart or not at all, I have always had high expectations of myself, so I kept a positive spirit and had to gear up. I then went to Rosebank College, Pretoria in 2014, where I completed a three year Diploma in Public Relations, with 8 Distinctions from the first year to the last year of my studies.
Challenges
I was raised by a single Christian parent, I literally saw my mother giving it her all in making sure that my sisters and I get the best in everything, especially in education. I grew up in a political and spiritually rooted family. I didn’t even notice that there were challenges growing up, I loved visiting my grandmother’s house because there I was surrounded by lots of cousins, and my grandmother always cooked up a storm for us. I was never treated differently because I went to different schools than my cousins, I participated in Drum Majorettes in Primary and I loved dancing, so I would come home to teach kids from our street. They would also gather around and listen as I told stories, using a stone which was so fun. I wasn’t a loud child, but feisty at times and that is when I discovered the storyteller and writer in me.
Qualifications
I am a freelance writer, I hold a three-year diploma in Public Relations Management and I am planning on studying further next year.
What Do You Like Most About Yourself?
I am spiritually rooted, I always keep a positive spirit, even though it seems like there is nothing to be positive about. Once I set a goal for myself, I make sure that I see it through. I am a giver and I treat everyone I meet with the same respect.
Lessons
In the last year of my studies, I worked as an intern for Brains Empowerment, a media and communications company, as a writer for their online and print Magazine. I had to balance between my studies and student council duties. I dealt with schedule clashes and made it a point that I met deadlines as required, so it was a thing of me having to balance all three worlds, dealing with challenges immediately, prioritising and putting my best foot forward. It honestly didn’t feel like challenges, because I was doing what I love and it didn’t feel like work.
Highlights
I was part of the 2016 Student Council under the portfolio, Head of Internal Communications and Marketing. With the help of my Campus Mentor, I managed and coordinated an internal communications committee, compiled and submitted semester reports, developed and produced the Campus newsletter, took ownership of the marketing of all Campus activities through the creative use of various tools and media, I also maintained all Student Council notice boards and made sure that all communication was approved by the Campus Principal. I was trusted with such a huge responsibility to represent students, I believe I have carried it well, and I got to inspire young girls.
I was trusted with such a huge responsibility to represent students, I believe I have carried it well, and I got to inspire young girls. I am passionate about community engagement. I visited the Lerato House in Pretoria, as a Student Representative which is part of the Tshwane Leadership Foundation, a
I am also passionate about community engagement. I visited the Lerato House in Pretoria, as a Student Representative which is part of the Tshwane Leadership Foundation, a programme for young girls at risk, where I volunteered in helping learners with a study skills project. I did my work placement for Brains Empowerment, I started off as their Online Magazine writer and I was chosen as the best writer amongst other 12 writers, which was amazing. I was then given the opportunity to write a cover story (Hulisani Ravele) and a feature article (DJ Rhee) for their very first print issue of Successful Woman Magazine that sold nationally in various supermarkets. Going forward I led the “keep a girl child at school’’ sanitary drive campaign, for Brains Empowerment with DJ Rhee.
Oh yes! And I recently graduated and looking at my Academic record makes me so proud.
Factors to keep in mind
Involve God in every journey that you embark on, remember it all begins in your mind start by believing that you can do anything you set your mind to. “Don’t despise small beginnings’’ be resilient, and once you have mastered it nothing can stop you, keep learning and always pull up those who are down.
Future Plans
I believe in legacy and I want to make an impact in people’s lives, so an NGO, Online Magazine and Business are in my plans.
If there is anything you could differently, what would it be?
I believe that everything that I came across so far has molded me into this strong woman that I am today. If it wasn’t challenging I wouldn’t have grown so there is nothing I would do differently.
Inspiration
I personally look up to my mother, who doesn’t give in easily. I literally saw her work her way up and she still keeps learning at her age. I also draw inspiration from Khanyi Dhlomo, this is where my love for Magazines stems from.
Wise Words
Stop viewing yourself as weak and unable. Equip yourself and get the qualification you want, dare to try and go after your dreams, start now for there is no time like the present.
Email: leratobhayi@gmail.com
Twitter: @LeratoBhayi_22
Facebook: Lerato Asiphe Bhayi
Instagram: @lerato_bhayi
Website: www.treasureAfrika.co.za
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with our community, Lerato. We are inspired by your hard work and wish you all the best with all of your future endeavours.
If you would also like to see your inspirational story published in our blog, email it to: info@educationambassadors.org.za
