I come from a well-mannered family. I am a humble gentleman from a township called Soshanguve in Pretoria. Many know that my township leads statistically in negative things like crime, dropouts, substance abuse, etc. Having to matriculate at Wallmansthal High School in 2016 (a record time) is an achievement I’ll never forget. I furthered my studies at Tshwane North College (Soshanguve Campus).
It was in 2017, and when I went to apply, it was very late. I wanted to apply for business management, but it was only available on the Pretoria campus, so I decided to switch to financial management, despite my poor accounting marks. My application was denied five times, and I was told that I did not qualify; however, on the sixth day, the lecturer noticed that I was determined and dedicated. I was finally admitted and completed my N4 intro to N6; by the way, my name is Boitumelo Ramahali.
Work Experience
*I worked under President Ramaphosa’s program, which is PYIE, or Presidential Youth Initiative Employment. I was employed there in 2021; I was working in Meetseng Primary School as a General Assistant, which included even extended categories for experience. Here is a list: cleaner, health and safety, bus conductor, teaching, and administration. I was employed for six months.
Why Financial management N6
Honestly, I wanted to do business management because I have seen that in order to be really successful in our country and have a helping hand in terms of creating job opportunities and also to be a successful black businessman, we must empower the youth to own their things and not rely on others. The course was offered on another campus, so I had to choose financial management, which I fell in love with while doing it, especially computerized financial systems. I just knew that this was the future for all businesses in the world, and also to bear in mind that saving and budgeting have always been my strongholds from a young age.
Internship
How I got my internship sounds like an unbelievable story. Well, I once lost all my original documents (matriculation certificate, N4-N6 certificates, and temporary license) and had to reapply for everything. I lost everything before COVID-19, and then with all those lockdowns, it was difficult for me to go and apply. After the dust had settled, I went to apply, and I remember the last thing I had to retrieve was my matriculation certificate. I went to the Department of High Education and Training in Pretoria Central to collect my matric certificate, then I decided to go to the TNC Central office to submit my CV for an internship. The next day, I went to training(soccer), and on my way back, I received a call from TNC's central office informing me that I had been offered an internship. It was indeed a blessing.
Company
Big Save is a family-owned and operated cash and carry and liquor retailer and wholesaler. It's where I’m currently doing my 18-month internship.
