From the quiet hills of Ngobozana Village in Lusikisiki, a community often challenged by limited opportunities and high crime rates, emerges a story of determination and triumph. Dumisa Siphesihle Magocoba, a proud Unisa graduate, has defied all odds to build a successful career in leadership. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, he celebrated his academic achievement at the Unisa Spring Graduation Ceremony held on 20 October 2025.

Magocoba stands tall as a Specialised Case Officer at the Department of Correctional Services. He is a former Unisa employee and inspirational praise poet, known as Imbongi Yomthonyama. His journey is one of determination, faith and transformation; a story that proves that where you come from does not have to define where you are going.

From hardship to hope: A childhood tested by struggles

Magocoba’s early years were marked by challenge and hardship. "I grew up in a community with a very high crime rate," he recalls. "But my family was strict and made sure I stayed focused on school."

His mother, a teacher and his stepfather, a police officer, were the driving forces behind his journey. "I looked up to them both," he says. "My mother taught me the value of education, and my stepfather taught me discipline and service. I wanted to be like him: a man of honour." Magocoba holds his parents in the highest regard.  

Life, as it often does, charted a different course. The loss of his stepfather and his mother’s loss of employment sent the young boy’s world into turmoil. "I lost my way," he admits. "I mixed with the wrong friends, started drinking and smoking. I almost gave up."

Then came a turning point: a woman who saw a potential even when he could not see it himself. It takes a village to raise a child. "My teacher, Ms Mbuqe, guided me," he explains. "She reminded me that education was my only way out. She helped me find myself again." Magocoba remained forever indebted to his teacher for her pivotal role in shaping his path. Through football, school and prayer, Magocoba rebuilt his focus. "Sport saved me," he says with pride. "It kept me off the streets."

Education as a weapon

Magocoba turned his life around against all odds. He pursued education with renewed purpose. He went on to earn multiple qualifications, including an ICDL Certificate from PC Training and Business College, a Certificate in Correctional Science from Kroonstad College (DCS), and a Diploma in Corrections Management and a BA in Criminology, both from Unisa.

He has also been admitted for an Honours degree in Corrections Management at Unisa.

His academic journey, however, was not a straight line. "I enrolled at Unisa in 2008," he explains. "But I did not take my studies seriously. I dropped out in 2010. I returned in 2014 with a new mindset and completed my first qualification in 2017." Magocoba is the epitome of perseverance, never surrendering, no matter how formidable the obstacles.

Unisa, he says, served as the cornerstone of his personal and professional development.

"Unisa taught me self-discipline, teamwork and time management. Studying while working showed me the power of perseverance." It also opened professional doors he had never imagined would be available to him. He will always be grateful to Unisa for providing the flexibility to pursue his studies from home while balancing work commitments.

From student to civil servant

In 2017, everything changed with just one message from a friend.

"My friend Mkhululeni Khuzwayo sent me a job advert from Unisa and encouraged me to apply, which I did," he says. "I got the job, and that was the beginning of my career journey."

He started as a Student Administration Assistant at Unisa’s KwaZulu-Natal (Wild Coast and Durban Hub), later transferring to the Eastern Cape, where he worked at the East London Library and Mthatha Campus.

In 2019, Magocoba joined the Department of Correctional Services for a learnership, which he completed in December 2020. By August 2021, he had secured permanent employment. Just a few years later, in October 2025, he was promoted to Specialised Case Officer at the Mdantsane Correctional Centre in East London.

Today, his daily work focuses on rehabilitation and parole assessments. "I work closely with offenders, helping them reintegrate into society," he says. "I believe everyone deserves a second chance."

Dumisa Magocoba as Imbongi Yomthonyama

For Magocoba, this is not just a job; it's a passion. It is a calling. In his own words, "I grew up surrounded by crime. Now, I work to change that reality. Every offender I help transform is a victory for society."

The poet with a purpose

When he is not in uniform, Magocoba transforms into Imbongi Yomthonyama, a passionate praise poet whose performances captivate audiences with raw emotion and a deep sense of cultural pride.

"My biological father is a national praise singer," he says. "Even though we are not close, his talent inspired me. Poetry became the only thing that connected us."

His journey as an artist began unexpectedly in 2003, during a cultural day at school. "I was in Grade 8, and my teacher forced me to perform," he laughs. "I did not write anything; I just spoke from the heart about returning to our roots. The crowd loved it, and I never stopped."

Unlike most poets, Magocoba does not write or rehearse. "I do not prepare poems," he explains. "I speak from the moment. It is a gift, a calling. Imbongi Yomthonyama performs from the soul."

His performances blend traditional rhythm with modern consciousness, celebrating identity, resilience and Ubuntu.

Prayer, Magocoba says, is his secret weapon: "Prayer is powerful. It is what carried me through my darkest days. And being a father keeps me motivated. I want to be the man my child looks up to."

He says proudly, "Never give up on your dreams. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu – a person is a person through others. Success comes through dedication, hard work, and good association."

* By Slindokuhle Dlamini, Communication and Marketing Intern, KwaZulu-Natal Region