Determined SA man goes from petrol attendant to law firm owner

David Masilela has gone from filling people’s tanks with petrol to owning his own law firm, and helping to rebuild his community through his work and kindness.

Masilela’s dream to make something of his life began during his childhood, when he imagined himself as the first child of the ten in his family, to attend university.

He attended school barefoot because his parents could not afford shoes, and realised there was no possibility of him being able to attend tertiary education after matric, so Masilela began working as a petrol attendant.

His determination to realise his dreams and to become a lawyer meant that he worked for eight years before he could afford his first year’s university tuition.

When Masilela arrived at university for his first lecture, the enormity of what he had achieved hit him. He had worked for almost a decade to earn his place in that seat, and the feeling of accomplishment was almost too much for him to comprehend.

After his first year of university, and after excelling in all his courses, Masilela was awarded a bursary to complete his degree and managed to earn a startling 22 distinctions.

He completed his studies in Pretoria before opening his own law firm.

Masilela is now a highly regarded and respected lawyer, but he will never forget his roots and his humble beginnings. As a result, most of his work is pro bono and he spends a lot of his time visiting his village to give learners school shoes so that they don’t have to experience what he did.

David Masilela has become not only a lawyer but a role model and mentor to many young people as he shows what hard work and determination can produce.

Beautiful News created a short video about David Masilela. Watch it below and let us know what you think.