By Lauren Harte
For Nelisiwe Shabalala, this Wednesday marks a milestone reached through determination and hard work, paired with a deep understanding of the importance of education. Originally from Johannesburg in South Africa, Nelisiwe returned to education as a mature student and single mother caring for her son, who has a learning disability . As she graduates from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in Sociology, Nelisiwe describes what motivated her return to education: 鈥淒riven by my love of learning and a desire to build a better future, I took a leap of faith. Balancing motherhood and study was never easy, but I reminded myself daily why I was doing it 鈥 for a rewarding career and to set an example for my son. 鈥淚 was motivated by the fact that every late night study session and life difficulty pushed me closer to my childhood dream .鈥 However, Nelisiwe鈥檚 learning journey was not always straightforward but when things were tough, with support from the University鈥檚 Disability and Wellbeing service, and her lecturers, she gained confidence and found her stride. A highlight of her final year was completing her dissertation, which was described by her tutor as a 鈥渞eal achievement鈥. It was a moment of pride for Nelisiwe, who based the project on her own lived experience, exploring how background and income affect how young people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland feel about the quality of public services like healthcare . Nelisiwe describes how much it meant to her: 鈥淚t meant so much because the topic was close to my heart. I think that鈥檚 what made me finish on such a high because I worked on a project that spoke specifically to my lived experience as a mature student with caring responsibilities. I鈥檓 incredibly thankful for the support I had throughout the process.鈥 Like many mature students, time management became one of her most important tools. Nelisiwe developed a structured schedule to balance study time with caring for her son. 鈥淭here were sleepless nights and moments of self-doubt. But once I embraced the support available and learned not to be afraid to ask for help, I started to grow 鈥 not just as a student, but as a person,鈥 she reflected. For other parents, mature learners or international students wondering if university is possible, Nelisiwe offers this simple encouragement: 鈥淲ith effort, resilience and support, it is absolutely achievable. Even the small steps move you forward.鈥 Now looking to the future, Nelisiwe is excited about new opportunities 鈥 whether in further study, community work or career progression. Reflecting on her journey so far, she adds: 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of how far I鈥檝e come. This is only the beginning.鈥 For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.