From Exclusion to Engineer
"They told me I wouldn't make it. But eight years later, I walked out with an engineering degree from Wits — not just with a certificate, but with a spine forged through fire."
What most don't know is how brutal the journey was — not just academically, but emotionally, financially, and spiritually. My path wasn't straight. It was filled with academic exclusions, financial struggles, and moments of deep doubt. But each setback became a building block for resilience.
Graduation Day Victory
After 8 years of struggle, the moment that made it all worthwhile. A victory against all odds.
My Academic Journey
| Term | Program | YOS | Progression Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 4 | Q - Completed all requirements for qualification |
| 2020 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | PSC - Permitted to proceed on a special curriculum |
| 2019 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | M1C - Renewal of registration permitted by Wits Readmissions Committee |
| 2018 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | M1C - Renewal of registration permitted by Wits Readmissions Committee |
| 2017 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 3 | MBR - Exclusion waived - must return to the same year of study |
| 2016 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 2 | PCD - Permitted to proceed |
| 2015 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 2 | RET - Must return to complete requirements for year of study |
| 2014 | BSc Eng (Civil) | YOS 1 | PCD - Permitted to proceed |
Legend: Wits Exams Board Progression Codes
- QQualification Completed: All degree requirements met. Final year successfully completed.
- PSCPermitted to Proceed on a Special Curriculum: Allowed to continue with academic conditions.
- M1CReadmission Approved with Conditions: Readmission granted by the Faculty Readmissions Committee.
- MBRExclusion Waived, Must Repeat Year: Academic exclusion was lifted, but required to return to the same year of study.
- PCDPermitted to Proceed: Academic standing meets the minimum progression requirements for the next year.
- RETReturn to Complete Requirements: Student must repeat the year or complete outstanding requirements before advancing.
Recognition & Leadership
Academic Development Unit Recognition
Certificate for dedicated mentorship service
Official Recommendation Letter
Wits University mentorship program recognition
The Complete Journey
From a small town dreamer to a qualified engineer and multi-platform educator. This is the unfiltered story of persistence, failure, and ultimate triumph.
Official Graduation Ceremony
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg • 2022 • The moment 8 years of persistence culminated in official recognition
From Exclusion to Engineer
Every photo tells a story of persistence - from graduation day to working as a professional engineer on construction sites.
2011-2013: High School Excellence
At Mmankala Commercial & Technical High School, I discovered my passion for engineering through subjects like Civil Technology and Engineering Graphics & Design. I consistently topped my classes, developing a strong foundation that would later help me persevere through university challenges.
"I graduated with 3 straight A+ (Level 7s) and 4 Level 6s in my NSC results. My teachers saw potential in me that I would later have to remind myself of during the toughest university years."
Excellence Among Peers
With fellow high-achieving students at Mmankala Commercial & Technical High School, celebrating academic excellence and shared dreams of engineering careers.
The Moment of Victory
After 8 years of struggle, this graduation photo represents more than academic achievement - it's proof that persistence pays off.
2023-2024: Mathisbestad Primary School
Educator Assistant (EA) & General School Assistant – Sports and Enrichment
While completing my engineering degree and working in the field, I discovered my passion for education by serving as an Educator Assistant at Mathisbestad Primary School. This role allowed me to combine my technical knowledge with my natural teaching abilities.
"Working with young minds at Mathisbestad Primary confirmed my calling as an educator. I saw how my engineering background could make complex concepts accessible to children, sparking their curiosity and confidence in mathematics and science."
Professional Educator
Combining engineering expertise with educational passion at Mathisbestad Primary School, where I helped shape young minds and discovered my true calling in education.
The University Years: A Detailed Chronicle
First Year at Wits (PCD - Permitted to Proceed)
The journey begins with hope and determination
My journey began with core modules like Engineering Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. The transition from high school to university-level engineering was challenging but I managed to meet the requirements to proceed to the next year.
"I received the University Entrance Scholarship valued at R1,500. It was a small amount, but it represented recognition of my potential. Little did I know how much I would need to draw on that sense of potential in the years to come."
First Setback (RET - Must Return to Complete Requirements)
Learning that university isn't just about being smart
My first major academic challenge came in second year. I struggled with some of the core engineering subjects and was required to repeat the year to complete outstanding requirements. This was my first taste of academic adversity.
"This was the year I learned that university wasn't just about being smart—it was about resilience, time management, and developing effective study methods. I had to completely rethink my approach to learning."
Second Year Success (PCD - Permitted to Proceed)
Discovering the power of teaching others
After repeating second year, I found my stride. I developed better study habits and began to truly understand the engineering principles. This was the year I started tutoring other students in engineering graphics and design, discovering my talent for explaining complex concepts.
"When I started helping other students with their work, I realized that teaching was actually strengthening my own understanding. This discovery would later become a cornerstone of my professional identity."
Academic Exclusion (MBR - Exclusion Waived)
The darkest moment that taught me to fight
Third year brought new challenges with advanced engineering concepts. I faced academic exclusion but successfully appealed, having my exclusion waived. This was a pivotal moment that taught me to advocate for myself and navigate institutional systems.
"The day I received my exclusion letter was one of the darkest of my life. But preparing my appeal forced me to reflect deeply on my purpose and commitment. When the exclusion was waived, I knew I had been given a second chance I couldn't waste."
Readmission Years (M1C - Readmission with Conditions)
Two years of proving my worth
For two consecutive years, I had to apply for readmission through the Wits Readmissions Committee. Each time, I had to prove why I deserved another chance. During this period, I worked on notable projects including a reinforced concrete design for a double-storey factory and a steel design hangar for a Cessna aircraft.
"These years taught me persistence like nothing else. I designed a sewer pipeline along the Pienaars river valley between Mamelodi and Baviaanspoort, analyzing structural loads and estimating quantities. Each project was both a technical challenge and a chance to prove my capabilities."
Special Curriculum (PSC - Permitted to Proceed on Special Curriculum)
Helping others while fighting for my own survival
The university created a special curriculum for me to progress, recognizing my determination despite past struggles. This was also when I began working as a Lead Mentor at Wits Academic Development & Leadership Unit, helping other students navigate their own academic challenges.
"As a Lead Mentor, I achieved an 80% success rate in helping mentees continue to the next academic year. The irony wasn't lost on me—I was helping others succeed while still fighting for my own academic survival."
Qualification Completed (Q - Completed All Requirements)
Victory against all odds
After eight years of persistence, I completed all requirements for my BSc in Civil Engineering. However, financial constraints prevented me from receiving my physical degree immediately.
"The moment I saw 'Q - Completed all requirements for qualification' on my academic record was surreal. Eight years of struggle, condensed into a single letter code. But that 'Q' represented a victory against all odds."
Receiving My Physical Degree
Overcoming the final hurdle
With the help of Amrut Foundation and the Wits Mentorship program, I worked on a garden project with a Johannesburg CBD community home. In exchange, they helped reduce my outstanding fees, allowing me to finally receive my physical BSc Honours degree (NQF level 8) in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
"Even after completing all academic requirements, I still had to overcome financial hurdles. Working with the community garden project reminded me that engineering isn't just about technical skills—it's about building and nurturing growth in all its forms."
From Engineer to Digital Transformer
Building the future through education and content
From 2023-2025, I served as a Resident Engineer at Marumo Consulting Engineers in Burgersfort, where I supervised and managed the construction of a 1.1 km road project. My responsibilities included quality control and assurance, contractor supervision, progress monitoring and reporting, health and safety compliance, material testing coordination, technical problem-solving, stakeholder communication, and ensuring adherence to engineering specifications and municipal standards.
Today, I've evolved into a full-time content creator and educational entrepreneur, transforming lives through digital platforms. I've built a multi-channel empire reaching thousands of students across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms, turning my hard-earned engineering knowledge into accessible, life-changing educational content.
"My academic journey prepared me perfectly for real-world challenges, but my true calling emerged in democratizing education. Every day on construction sites taught me that the strongest foundations are built through persistence - the same principle I now apply to building educational content that transforms lives."
The Graduation Moments
Official Graduation Ceremony
University of the Witwatersrand • 2022
Pure Joy
8 years of struggle culminating in this moment
Building a Digital Empire
From struggling student to multi-platform educator and content creator, reaching thousands across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and more.
Chrizeecry
240 subscribers • 275 videos
Chris Senyatsi - Math Tutor
661 subscribers • 85,871 views
Chrizeecry Beats
159 subscribers • 27,572 views
TikTok Presence
Instagram Impact
Facebook Community
The Creator
Building content that educates and inspires
@chrizeecry Instagram
3,661 followers • Multi-talented creator
Total Digital Impact
The Philosophy That Drives Everything
"I'm that engineer who endures at every level. I thrive under pressure and stand tall like the sun in the sky — always shining, no matter what."
This journey from exclusion to engineer isn't just my story — it's proof that with the right mindset, systems, and persistence, anyone can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. That's why I've built Chrizeecry Collective: to share these battle-tested methods with others who refuse to give up on their dreams.
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"From Exclusion to Engineer: The 8-Year Journey"
What You'll Get:
- Complete 8-year academic journey breakdown
- Proven persistence strategies and mindset shifts
- Study methods that work under pressure
- How to navigate academic setbacks and exclusions
- Building multiple income streams as a student
Expected release: Q2 2025
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