Being accepted as a student at Ngamo Livestock Farm and Agricultural College is something Khayelihle counts among her proudest achievements in its own right, alongside completing her secondary education.

She grew up with both her mother and father in Masungamala, Lupane, where the household relies on small scale farming and casual work. Limited income and seasonal droughts affecting crops have made things genuinely difficult at times.

Before coming to Ngamo she worked at a restaurant. Agribusiness Management and Wildlife Management are what she enjoys most now, and she names caring for animals, teamwork and problem solving as her real strengths. She wants to build a career in conservation, and describes the college as giving her hands on experience protecting wildlife across the Zambezi region.

Her passion for wildlife, alongside a genuine wish to improve her family's life, motivates her, and on harder days she leans on her future goals and her parents' support. She is aiming to work in wildlife management and conservation in Zimbabwe, and pictures herself becoming a wildlife officer or conservation ranger in the Zambezi region.

“My passion for wildlife and desire to improve my family's life.”

Previously at Mtshibini Adventist Secondary School. Khayelihle is now part of the training programme at Ngamo Vocational College and Livestock Farm.