Rising Above: A Master's Graduate's Journey from Joblessness to Purpose
Sanele Sibanda shares her battle with prolonged unemployment despite holding a prestigious Master's degree. Facing rejection and mental health struggles, she sought change but found empowerment through writing and advocacy. Sanele founded the Life-Long Learning Foundation to support unemployed graduates, using her experience to inspire resilience and highlight the importance of mental health and support systems for those facing similar challenges.
With a prestigious master’s degree from the University of Pretoria, I was hailed as a success story. People sought my advice, and I was invited to speak on career success. I was the epitome of achievement, and my name became synonymous with excellence. But beneath the facade, I was struggling. The weight of expectation and the pressure to maintain a perfect image suffocated me.
After eight years in South Africa, I returned to Zimbabwe, only to face the harsh reality of unemployment. The job market was unforgiving, and my credentials, despite being impressive, were not enough to guarantee employment. Despite my best efforts, job interviews yielded nothing. My other significant challenge was adapting to the stark contrast between South Africa’s economic landscape and Zimbabwe’s. In Zimbabwe, job opportunities are scarce, and competing with graduates who have been immersed in the local economy can be a significant hurdle.
Furthermore, I faced the added obstacle of biases against South African graduates, particularly those in law. There is a pervasive perception that South African law graduates are inferior, and this prejudice extends beyond the legal profession. For instance, even primary school students transferring from South Africa to Zimbabwean schools are often placed in a lower grade level. This stigma perpetuates into the job market, where South African law graduates are often ranked lower than their Zimbabwe counterparts, regardless of their qualifications. This entrenched stereotype posed a significant challenge, but I refused to let it diminish my confidence. I am aware of my capabilities and limitations, and I remained determined to succeed despite these obstacles.
The pressure mounted, and I returned to South Africa, feeling like a failure. The sting of rejection lingered, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling of inadequacy. A three-month research contract offered a glimmer of hope but was short-lived. The temporary nature of the contract loomed over me, and I knew I had to find something more permanent. My joblessness became my main job; modelling and remodelling my CV, tailoring cover letters, searching and applying to relevant jobs. I spent hours perfecting my applications, but the rejection and disappointment took a toll on my mental health. I withdrew from friends and family, unable to face the question, “What are you currently doing?” The pain was palpable, and I felt like a burden to those around me. I was trapped in a cycle of self-doubt, and I couldn’t find a way out. In his article ‘Unemployed And Dealing With Silence’, Mohamed EI Gamal also attests that “…it gets harder when a friend or a family member asks you ‘how’s your job search going’…?” To avoid the question, one will retreat to isolation, which further exacerbates the challenge.
In desperation, I applied for a second master’s program in the Netherlands, hoping to escape my agony. But during the scholarship interview, I was confronted with the truth: my powerful master’s degree wasn’t working for me. The realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, and I was forced to confront the reality of my situation. By 2024, I had hit rock bottom. I rebelled against empathy, stopped attending family gatherings, and shunned friendships. I was isolated and alone and didn’t know how to escape the darkness. I am certain I was going through depression.
Research reveals that since 2018, Zimbabwe has grappled with a persistent unemployment crisis among graduates, which has devastating consequences for their mental health, particularly depression. Some even contemplate suicide due to the overwhelming nature of the challenge- thankfully- I am not yet at that stage. The chasm between graduates’ expectations and reality upon completing their studies significantly contributes to this issue. In 2022, Zimbabwe’s working-age population stood at approximately 8.9 million, with only about 3 million employed formally and informally. By default, I became part of the greater statistics.
Somehow, I found the strength to keep moving forward. I started writing, pouring my heart out onto the page. And that’s when it hit me – I had a unique perspective to share as an education advocate. My experience could bring meaning and balance to my voluntary initiative, the “Life-Long Learning Foundation”. I realised that my struggles could help me relate to fellow unemployed Zimbabweans and address the country’s major problem. I was no longer just a victim of the circumstance; I was a survivor and had a story to tell.
As I write this, I am struck by the transformational power of storytelling and vulnerability. Pouring on this page has been a therapeutic release from the suffocating weight of my concealed agony. For so long, I suffered in silence, feeling like I was dying inside, but now I feel a sense of liberation as if a mountainous burden has been lifted off my shoulders. To the reader who is currently walking the same treacherous path, I implore you: do not make the same mistake I have been doing by suffering in silence. Speak out, share your story, and let your voice be heard.
My personal experience with unemployment taught me the vital importance of support systems for graduates. I found solace only in sharing my struggles with those who understood the pain, either because they were going through it themselves or had overcome it in the past. The desire to write a book about this experience is a common thread among us, a testament to the unsettling nature of unemployment. However, my research revealed a glaring dearth of support structures for unemployed graduates and youth in the country, despite it being a leading cause of depression and drug use among unemployed young graduates.
The discovery compelled me to refocus my voluntary initiative (the Life-Long Learning Foundation), launched in January 2022, to address this need. Initially aimed at making career development opportunities accessible to young people in Bulawayo, I now recognise that some individuals may have utilised these resources but still struggle with the emotional distress of joblessness. My revised aim is to mobilise those who have helped me during my unemployment journey to create accessible materials, offer counselling, and engage in meaningful conversations that resonate with our mentees. Although I may not be able to provide the most coveted resource-jobs- I am committed to tap into the rich expertise of my network and offer services to help my fellow unemployed graduates and youth navigate this challenging time.
To broaden the individually devised initiatives in supporting unemployed graduates, government intervention is crucial to establish support systems for graduates and youth. Encouragingly, initiatives like the National Coalition for Unemployed Graduates have raised awareness about the impacts of prolonged joblessness. Scaling up and supporting such efforts can significantly help graduates navigate the path forward.