Makapela believes that the training and qualification he received from NMMU has afforded him success in life. “It has put me ahead in life given me confidence to step into the unknown.”
His first attempt at receiving his qualification failed when he enrolled at the former PE Technikon, where he dropped out and later discovered he needed to try again, this time succeeding. One of his lecturers recruited 40 students to the military and this initiative contributed immensely to the leader he has become. “I was part of the Student Leadership, serving in the committee of His People Society.”
Makapela intends to enroll at NMMU for his master’s degree next year.
Makapela’s working experience includes over eight years at Africoast Engineers and another two years at Madan Singh & Associates before starting Makapela Project Managers in 2014. Here he is responsible for business development, day-to-day running of the business, design, quality management and mentorship.
Some of his clients include Transnet and GIBB and also has professional affiliations with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE) and is a BEE Level 3 company.
“My company has won first place ’Best Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ ambassador in the region in 2014 and this year in June we won 3rd place for ’Best Shanduka Black Umbrellas Nationally’,” said Makapela.
He encourages students and graduates trying to make it out there, to have a vision and then work to attain it, adding that working hard is the name of the game.