My name is Koetlisi Koetlisi and through a full funding scholarship from W K Kellogg, I have had the opportunity of attending the University KwaZulu-Natal, where I am currently completing my PhD in Agriculture specializing in soil science. It has really been impossible to change my past, but surely the moment W K Kellogg came into my life and helped me to redesign my future, the story of my life became different! It has been a journey and a half, but then again, the signal (i.e. W.K. Kellogg Foundation Southern African Scholarship) from my lighthouse led me to my final destination. This destination would be what my parents if they were still alive, would call it unwavering courage that unlocked the potential of countryside young man.

Many challenges came along. I would never forget my study leave being revoked. However, my determination guided me till I decided to consider that particular crisis as part of my academic journey. When I was at work, I would refer to it as community service and work as twice as much to achieve both commitments as expected. Throughout the entire journey, Career Wise was there to support me not just financially, but socially, personally and academically too. Career Wise arms extended beyond administration of scholarships into an organisation whose aim reigns into a holistic support of African scholars good in reporting, organization, interpersonal, leadership and professional skills.