A proud moment for comedian Jeffrey Makhwiting, better known as ‘Elaneng Skobo’, as he graduates with a PGCE qualification during UL’s 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremonies.
By Rinae Manenzhe – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
It might sound like the setup to a punchline, but it’s entirely true—Jeffrey Makhwiting, widely recognised in comedy circles as Elaneng Skobo, has traded jokes for education, proudly graduating with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Limpopo (UL)
His journey demonstrates that the entertainment industry indeed requires education to flourish, infused with a blend of homour and determination..
Originally from the village of Bochum in Limpopo’s Capricorn District, Makhwiting grew up in a modest environment that instilled in him the importance of hard work and perseverance. “I’ve been making people laugh since I could speak,” he recalls, reflecting on how his quick wit and charm brightened every room he entered, even classrooms.
After completing his matric in 2014, he took a gap year before enrolling at UL in 2016 for a BA in Media Studies, which he completed in 2018. Ever the strategist, he decided to add languages to his undergraduate degree, “just in case I didn’t make it big in media, I’d have something solid to fall back on—like teaching,” he grins.
While at UL, Makhwiting refined his comedic skills and became a radio presenter on Radio Turf (UL’s campus radio). By 2019, he had won a Sepedi Music Award (SEMA) for Best Comedian and made an appearance on the popular reality show Date My Family, hoping his humour would catch the eye of casting directors. “I wanted someone to see me and say, ‘Hey, this guy’s got star potential!’” he laughs.
Despite experiencing moments of fame, life behind the scenes was often challenging. He balanced numerous auditions, navigated brand promotions, and cultivated a substantial online presence, amassing over 500,000 followers on Facebook and more than 268,000 on TikTok. His comedic content resonated with audiences, resulting in paid partnerships and MC opportunities nationwide.
In 2021, he secured a corporate job at WeBuyCars, but the performer in him wasn’t ready to settle into a desk. In a bold move, he left that position in 2024 and returned to UL for his PGCE. “Going back to being a full-time student wasn’t easy,” he admits. “I was still engaged in content creation and taking on gigs—picture this: I would MC a wedding on Saturday and then write a test on Monday. One moment, I’m cracking jokes about in-laws, and the next, I’m memorising concepts in educational psychology!”
Throughout it all, he maintained his signature humour and unwavering determination. “Sometimes, I’d get a content idea while studying. But I had to stay disciplined—it was never easy, but I managed.”
Now, in 2025, Makhwiting is celebrating two magnificent milestones—he’s graduated with his PGCE at UL during the Autumn Graduation ceremonies and has already begun teaching in Bochum’s Maleboho West Circuit. “It feels so good to be a graduate again,” he beams.