MIRAH LANGER
Mpofu’s graduation was a huge milestone in the long journey he has travelled from growing up in Zimbabwe as the youngest of six siblings. Though he is the last-born member of his family, he is the breadwinner, to whom “everyone looks for each and everything”.
“Jews I love you with all my heart. You made me who I am today. My children have got food and clothes because of you. Forward with Jews, and forward with Israel!” Mpofu said.
“I came here about 20 years ago because of the economy in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Subsequently, three of Mpofu’s siblings have died, but he remains close to his older brother and sister.
In Zimbabwe, Mpofu completed his O Levels (the equivalent of matric), then worked as a substitute maths teacher in a rural area.
However, at the age of 22, he decided to seek greater possibilities in South Africa. “When I came here, I started as a security guard. In my first job, they posted me at King David High School, Linksfield.”
Mpofu worked in this role for the next five years, achieving iconic status.
“When I came to the school as a security guard, I used to help students coming out of the gate with my maths skills – that is how I became famous. Then I started to know them by name, and would greet them individually. It was special to them because they felt safe knowing that I knew every student.”
Soon, the parents became fans as well. In 2010, one family even took Mpofu to the soccer world cup – a highlight for this married father of two.
Shortly afterwards, Marc Falconer, then the principal of the high school, called Mpofu with a proposal for a new career.
Falconer asked Mpofu to take on the role of student controller. This involved checking student attendance of classes, ensuring that their uniforms were correct, confirming all was in order with teachers, and generally making sure that the campus ran smoothly every day.
As a security guard, Mpofu had woken up at 04:00 to travel by train to the school in time for the 06:00 start to his 12-hour shift. As such, this change of career was most welcome.
“I was blessed,” he said, pointing out that he has changed and grown a lot since he became a core part of the campus.
“I am one of the respected people in my family; I am one of the respected people in the Jewish community. I’m not shy to say I’m like this because of Jews.”
Mpofu has received encouragement in other areas as well.
At first, he travelled to school on a bicycle. Then, a member of the Jewish community paid for him to receive driving lessons.
“I was putting money away. The day I got my licence, I bought my first car.”
He was also offered the chance for further study by the school board and four years ago, he embarked on an information technology course at Boston City Campus in Orange Grove.
He chose to study computers, he said, because “they are the future”.
Balancing studies and work required strict self-discipline.
Mpofu, who by now had moved to live in staff accommodation on the school campus, designed a timetable for himself to ensure that he managed his time.
“I woke up at 04:00 and took a shower. At 04:30, I started studying until 07:00. At 07:00, I left my house and went to work. After work, I would go back home and study from 18:00 to 19:00. From 19:00 to 20:00, I would relax, watching TV.
Earlier this month, all Mpofu’s hard work paid off when he celebrated his graduation with a Higher Certificate in Information Technology. He is now a qualified systems administrator with wide-ranging skills in the field.
“It was a marvellous graduation, and what a surprise as at the graduation I was honoured as the top-achieving student for 2018. I was top of my course, having achieved three distinctions.”
Mpofu’s wife, who works as a domestic worker in the Linksfield area, as well as his sister-in-law, were there to cheer for him at the ceremony.
His children, a son of 17 and a daughter aged 10, are also proud of him. The two are attending school in Zimbabwe.
“My son sent me a message saying, ‘Congratulations father!’, saying I am a role model and someone he can look up to.”
When it comes to the future, Mpofu looks forward to helping others with his skill set, and wants to continue his education.
“I would love to go on and study and study until I become a Dr Mpofu!”
