When life gives you lemons… bake the perfect flavoured cake! Or at least keep the dream alive that one day you’ll be able to stand long enough to bake again.
That is exactly what Lily Ditshego (37) is doing after recently graduating from BMT College with an Advanced Diploma in HR – (registered as an NQF level 7 qualification with SAQA, on the same level as a degree). Still beaming with pride, Lily can’t stop talking about her special day. “I know for some people it’s just a diploma, just a certificate, but for me, it’s not only that. It’s a way I have further improved my life. It is something I have achieved!” And it’s a step towards fulfilling her dream: To be the proud owner of her own cooking and baking business – just as soon as she is healthy enough to resume her hobby.
Life didn’t only give Lily lemons – she almost had her leg amputated after a car accident. “It was just before I was supposed to hand in my final research assignment with BMT”. She was so determined to finish her studies, between being wheeled into theatre four times to save her leg and – with a cast on her broken arm – she reached out to BMT College to let them know she would be missing the submission date. “I didn’t know if they would let me finish later, but they were amazing. They gave me an extension to submit my final assignment after I was discharged.”
Still in pain, it wasn’t easy for Lily. “I’m still healing. I can’t stand for long periods. But at least I have my Advanced Diploma. I am very proud and very thankful for BMT College that supported me all the way,” she says.
It’s not the first time BMT has assisted Lily in achieving her business management and human resources goals. “I started with BMT in 2017 with my Business Management Diploma. I was about to begin my third year when the company I worked for as an office administrator was liquidated. As a result I experienced severe financial strain. But I still had that inner voice telling me to push on.
“I wrote the college a letter, and they really came through for me with an affordable payment plan. I completed my Business Management Diploma and achieved Student of the Year in 2020.” Amidst COVID, she baked and cooked for an extra income until she started working again. “I still wanted to climb the ladder, so I did the Advanced Diploma in HR. People think it’s only HR, but it really is more about becoming a leader. Now one of our company’s branches are closing, and I can choose where I want to go. I can now even go into HR!” Lily says.
“I think if you have that inner voice that drives you, a positive attitude and eagerness, you can achieve anything,” she adds. BMT’s virtual campus made it easy for her to submit her work, and she always felt supported by the College – something the principal of BMT College, Dr Bernie van der Linde, prides herself on. “We want our students to be successful, and just like Lily, we always do what we can to help our students excel,” says Dr van der Linde.
You can stand a chance to win one of three bursaries with Bona and BMT College to the value of more than R40 000. Even if you don’t win the bursary, everyone who registers with BMT College for the 2023 second intake using the voucher code #StudywithBona, will still be a winner because you’ll get 10% off your studies at BMT College.
