Fanelesibone Zondi (33) completed his National Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping in July 2021 from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and will be graduating virtually on the 1st of December 2021.

Hailing from Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, Zondi expressed his excitement upon obtaining Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit award for his Diploma.

“It is truly an honour to have obtained such outstanding results, when I began my first year I told myself to let go of what I think I know and, in the process, it allowed me to learn with a much better understanding. There is a saying that goes; you have to unlearn to relearn,” said Zondi.

Zondi had experienced financial challenges as he had no funding. He was struggling to obtain finance for his tuition fees and would often struggle to register when a new semester began. However, he overcame this by excelling in his studies to get outstanding academic results. He said this allowed him to advance to the new semester aided by the universities’ policies that supports students who perform well academically in their respective field of study.

“This was my first choice. Horticulture and landscaping studies form one of the foundations of a goal I have planned and set out for myself, which is to advance myself in the knowledge of plant and natural sciences. To achieve this, I had to first understand the physiological processes of plants and it all begins with horticulture,” explained Zondi.

It is disappointing to many students that the graduation ceremony will be virtual, however for Zondi it is all about prioritising people’s safety and well-being. He believes that virtual graduation ceremonies are yet to be fully accepted by the wider community because for a very long time such ceremonies were more about coming together and gathering in celebration of students’ academic achievements. He further mentioned that his family was very proud upon receiving the news and gave him a warm, congratulations.

Zondi’s plan is to study further, obtain a Master’s degree in the same field then move on to pursue a BSc in Plant Science/Botany. He also aims to be recognised as a custodian of quality and outstanding precision in the working and scientific environment of plant and natural based sciences in this country and abroad.

“Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together. A saying by George C Lichtenberg,” said Zondi.

Pictured: Fanelesibonge Zondi

Nikiwe Sukazi