Today Medipa is a Agriculture Extension Officeral for the Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Capricorn District, Molemule Municipality. She reflects on her journey and expresses gratitude for the opportunities that have shaped her career.

“I chose agriculture, and it chose me back. I’m enjoying every moment. I’m expanding my knowledge every day,” she says.

She has embraced every opportunity, learning something new daily, and found fulfilment in her chosen profession. Her journey wasn't without challenges, as it took time to secure her current position. However, she emphasizes the importance of making the most of opportunities once they arise, regardless of the delay.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes for you to get employed. What matters is how you use the opportunity when you get employed.”

Prior to her current role, Modipa engaged in various odd jobs that provided invaluable experience. This diverse background taught her that embracing unfamiliar opportunities can lead to personal growth and expand one's knowledge.

“Choosing to be in a field I had no classroom knowledge of has helped me to know that we are responsible for how we respond to the universe. It shouldn’t be that you reject an opportunity because it’s not what you are specializing in but should be a matter of wanting to expand your knowledge.”

Her daily duties now include taking blood samples, vaccinating, dipping, and conducting post-mortems on livestock – a job she tackles with a contagious smile and deep satisfaction.

“I wake up every day with a smile on my face knowing that I’m doing what I love,” she adds.

Although she's delighted with her current job, Modipa credits the odd jobs she undertook during her search for full-time employment as instrumental in shaping her path. “Delighted as I am, I am grateful for the odd jobs that I did while still looking for full-time employment."

Modipa enjoys a career in agriculture.

Modipa advocates for pursuing passion over monetary gain, as it brings a sense of fulfilment that transcends mere work. “Passion matters more than money because when you do what you love it doesn’t feel like slavery but when you work for money, you will wake every day drained.”

In 2015, Modipa enrolled at the University of Mpumalanga to study towards a Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension in Rural Resource Management and pursued an Honours Degree at the University of Limpopo.

“At UMP I was a committee member of the Black Management Forum (BMF) and served as a Health Peer mentor the very same year. I also helped Mr Matonsi from the Sports and Entertainment Office with coordinating events. In 2017 I was a student assistant doing data capturing during registrations,” she says.

Modipa's love for animals blossomed in her hometown of Sekhukhune, Limpopo, where she cared for her grandfather's goats. Her fascination grew as her grandfather acquired cows, leading her to enrol in an agricultural high school with a farm where she could observe livestock. Even during school holidays, she dedicated herself to researching and advising her grandfather on cattle feed.

In her journey from a rural routine to a fulfilling career, Modipa's passion, resilience, and commitment to seizing opportunities have paved the way for her success. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of embracing one's passions and utilizing every experience to forge a meaningful path in life.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.