Orphaned at 8, 30-year-old mechanic Nkululeko tells his life story

Nkululeko Ndlovu, a 30-year-old mechanic lost his parents at the tender age of 8, and life became so difficult for him as an orphan.

Ndlovu, after completing his KAT training in Durban, managed to bag all the certificates and is now well on his way to realising his dream of becoming a diesel mechanic.

He is currently doing his apprenticeship in a diesel-mechanical engineering firm after completing the theoretical work.

His story is now that of grass-to-grace as he benefitted from his determination to succeed.

In an interview with Briefly.co.za, he revealed that his older sibling had to take care of him and his twin sister.

"Our older sister had to take care of us and I learnt from a young age to work so that I can help at home," he said.

Like many people who hail from backgrounds similar to Ndlovu's, he was not sure how he could better his life.

However, he received an opportunity from the Umgeni Municipality in partnership with NYDA and Service SETA to study and further his education.

Ndlovu said he knew that he could work hard to give his family a better life as well as inspire young people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In a year, Ndlovu will do his trade test and qualify as a diesel mechanical engineer. He hopes to own his own workshop where he will give other people the opportunity he received.

"My dream is to open my own workshop where I can give back to my community by teaching young kids who wish to be mechanics ... I want the kids to know that anything is possible and every opportunity must be taken as a ladder to success.

"My dream is also to help feed the homeless and give back as I was given an opportunity to study," he said.