For six days a week, Steven Arendse performed the modest job of trolley attendant for a supermarket to support his family – but come night-time, and this determined young man secretly studied mechanical engineering online.  

And recently, the 27-year-old Capetonian, obtained his qualification and was rewarded for all his hard efforts when he landed a permanent job in his chosen field.

According to News24, Arendse was pushing trolleys at Giant Hyper in Epping – a job he was grateful for despite having bigger aspirations for his future.

Arendse decided to take the plunge and secretly enrolled at Northlink College for an online qualification in mechanical, burning the midnight oil without the knowledge of his family.

“I would stay up every night till 12, 1am, 2am to work on my course on my cellphone. I must admit my eyes did burn [looking at the small screen],” he told News24.

After months of burning the candle on both sides, Arendse received his N2 certificate from Northlink College and soon thereafter secured a permanent maintenance job in Stikland.

But it does not stop there for this inspiring South African!

“I want to do my N3 and go a bit higher so I can work on gearboxes. Not now, but as time goes on.”

Steven Arendse

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