One of our core values at SPARK Schools is Persistence; no one has displayed this value more than SPARK Rivonia Blended Learning Facilitator Joseph Dalimfazwe. His story is about resilience and never giving up on your dreams, even when life throws you many challenges. 

From a young age, Dalimfazwe, born in Middleburg Cape, a small town in the Karoo, Eastern Cape, always dreamed of making something out of his life. However, the second-born of five children had to drop out of school while doing his Grade 10. 

“I decided to discontinue my education, feeling the burden on my mother was too great,” he says. 

He left his home in the Eastern Cape and moved to Johannesburg for better job opportunities. 

In 1996, a friend advised him to study a course to become a security guard. When he completed his course, he started working, which helped him continue his studies, and he later completed his matric certificate. 

Overcoming challenges

In 2018, Dalimfazwe joined SPARK Schools as a security guard at SPARK Randpark Ridge.  

Before joining SPARK, he struggled to continue his studies as he couldn’t study.

“Studying was not feasible due to strict regulations prohibiting reading or having a phone on site,” he says.

 This was not the case at SPARK; Dalimfazwe had flexible hours and a leadership team willing to mentor and encourage him to pursue his dreams. 

“I had aspired to pursue an education, and upon joining SPARK, I had already decided to return to school,” Dalimfazwe says. 

His colleague, Neftal Maluleke, a facilities maintenance staff member, also significantly motivated him to continue his studies.  

“He explained the various career paths available and emphasised the potential for career advancement,” Dalimfazwe recalls. 

However,  getting accepted to a further education institution took a lot of work. 

“Furthering my studies meant paying hefty registration fees, which was impossible at the time,” he says. Once again, his dream of becoming a teacher was shattered. 

But he never gave up hope. He was fortunate to receive a bursary that could pay for his registration and tuition fees. Dalimfazwe believes his persistent spirit and sacrifices helped him overcome all his challenges. He also acknowledges that he wouldn’t have been able to achieve his goal of qualifying as a teacher if it wasn’t for his family and friends. 

“I am particularly indebted to the leadership at SPARK Randpark Ridge, starting with Mrs. V. Lewis, the Principal during my time there, and later Mrs. Lala, who succeeded her,” he says. 

He believes that their guidance and mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping my educational path,” he says. 

He is also grateful to his current manager, Mr Shandir Krishna, at SPARK Rivonia, for his consistent encouragement, reminding him of his role as a teacher. 

Dalimfazwe shares the following advice to anyone who is trying to achieve their goals but has to overcome challenges that seem insurmountable:  

Self-reflection: 

Take the time to reflect on your goals and the challenges you’re facing. Understand the root causes of your difficulties, and be honest about what might be holding you back. 

Set Clear and Realistic Goals: 

Break down your larger career goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. This makes your objectives more achievable and allows you to track your progress. 

Prioritise and Plan: 

Identify the most critical tasks and prioritise them. Create a realistic and actionable plan to address each challenge systematically. This can help prevent feeling overwhelmed and make the process more manageable. 

The last step is a Positive Mindset: 

Cultivate a positive mindset. Focus on your strengths and past achievements, and use them as motivation. A positive outlook can help you navigate challenges with resilience. 

Dalimfazwe’s story should remind us that anything is possible if you have the courage and the right mindset to pursue your goals. 

If you’d like to learn more about how you can join SPARK Schools, click here.