The inspiring journey of Zebron Mpofu

IT is said life begins at 40, and for Mr Zebron Mpofu, this adage couldn’t be more fitting.

At 40 years old, Mr Mpofu decided to make a dramatic change in his life, leaving behind his 20-year career as a builder to pursue a new passion in teaching.

The father of three from Mberengwa in the Midlands province is now 43 and a final-year student at the United College of Education (UCE), where he is training to become a primary school teacher.

Despite the challenges, including financial strain, Mr Mpofu was determined to chase his dreams. His age meant no one could pay his college fees, so he spoke to the college’s leadership about his circumstances.

He revealed that he had a family and now as a student, he could no longer afford his fees. Fortunately, the institution agreed to include him in its work-for-fees programme, which has relieved a lot of pressure from him.

“I have three children who are also looking up to me. Now, my fees are paid up and whatever I get, I’m able to support my family,” said Mr Mpofu.

His decision to switch from being a builder to wanting to be a teacher was carefully calculated. He feared that the physical demands and health risks associated with building work were becoming increasingly untenable and realised that a career change could lead to better health outcomes.

Initially, Mr Mpofu’s family thought he had gone mad when he expressed his desire to train as a teacher, but his decision began to make sense once he started his teaching practice.

“The reason I decided to switch from being a builder to teaching is that I observed that I was not getting any younger. Generally, it is not good health-wise to be in continuous contact with cement. It somehow affects the eyes and chest as well,” he said.

“My family initially thought I had gone mad when I told them that I was going to start training as a teacher.”

UCE is proud to have Mr Mpofu among its students, recognising his commitment to his studies and the practical skills he brings to the institution.

His building expertise has also been put to good use, with him constructing a pigsty for the college, among other tasks.

UCE’s Head of Students’ Affairs, Mr Davies Mazodze, praised Mr Mpofu’s innovation and dedication, highlighting that his skills have significantly benefited the college.

He views Mr Mpofu as an asset and notes that he can complete tasks perfectly without needing instructions twice. “One thing I like about him is that you don’t have to give him an instruction twice. Sometimes you give him a task, but he makes improvements on it and even does it better. We view him as an asset and we have immensely benefited from his building skills,” he said.

The Government’s work-for-fees programme aims to ensure that education is accessible to everyone regardless of their background.

Mr Mpofu’s story is a testament to the concept that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. With determination and hard work, it is possible to make changes that transform one’s life entirely. —@nqotshili