From dropout to graduate — social media sensation Ndivhuwo Muhanelwa celebrates a milestone

Social media influencer Ndivhuwo Muhanelwa is beaming with pride after obtaining his diploma in marketing management at Boston City Campus on Monday. 

"I cried. This wasn’t only a graduation. It was redemption. Walking on the stage wasn’t only for me, it was for every broken dream, every sleepless night, every time I almost gave up," he told TshisaLIVE.

"The highlight? Holding the certificate and whispering, 'Mama, I did it'. Because even in heaven, I know she’s clapping. She always wanted me to go to school to change our family situation. When she passed away in 2011, her last words were 'Go to school my boy, and study'."

In 2011, Ndivhuwo dropped out of Nelson Mandela University to study Bachelor of Pharmacy because he didn’t have financial support after losing his mother in the same year.

The next year he enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study BSc Geoinformatics after getting a bursary from the Rural Education Access Programme, but lost it after failing a module in 2013.

"I didn’t drop out because I was lazy. I dropped out because life was fighting me hard. That broke me. I was sleeping in bathrooms and libraries. I was broke, confused and trying to survive."

Ndivhuwo, who shot to fame for his videos where he pretends to video call renowned celebrities among his other creative videos, said the milestone proves he can finish what he started. 

"When I dropped out I never dropped the dream. What brought me back? Purpose. I realised God didn’t save me from all that pain only to make memes. He preserved me for impact.

"I went back to study, not because I needed a job, but because I needed structure. I wanted to understand the business behind the gift. I chose marketing management because I’m the product. My voice, my vision, my story, it all needed packaging." 

He plans to teach other creators about what he has learned.

"I’ve learned to teach creators how to market themselves, monetise their message, and turn content into companies. My goal is to build the biggest school of influence in Africa. A platform where creators don’t only go viral, they build value, income streams and legacy. Marketing is the language of purpose and I speak it fluently.

"More ebooks, more courses, more edutainment, more speaking, more digital products, more automation. I’m building a creators and influencers hub, a community with the creator coaching systems that help people make money online with integrity. Soon we’re going global. I’m creating a generation of contentpreneurs."