Graduate, 49-year-old Priscilla Helen Nkawu is proud of herself for obtaining Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit Award for her Advanced Diploma in Adult Community Education and Training. Nkawu graduated this morning (15 May 2023) during the Faculty of Arts&Design’s session at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2023 Autumn Graduation held at the Indumiso Campus Hall in Pietermaritzburg.
Hailing from Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, Nkawu (49) shared that she is passionate about teaching adults and enrolling for this qualification made her love it even more. Nkawu is currently working at the Eastern Cape Community Education and Training College where she serves as a Centre Manager at John Walton Community Learning Centre.
Nkawu is thankful to her lecturers, Mrs Zamalotshwe Sefatsa and Mrs Thandi Gumbi for playing a big role in shaping her way of thinking and developing her self-esteem.
“When I was facing difficulties in understanding, my lecturers never became tired of being the light in the dark. The support that they gave me is overwhelming, it is because of them that I am where I am now. These lecturers played a big role in shaping my way of thinking and developing my self-esteem,” said Nkawu.
Nkawu explained that she was ecstatic upon receiving the news that she had achieved Cum Laude and the esteemed Dean’s Merit Award. She stressed that she gained this achievement through thorough hard work and added that her children now view her as an inspiration.
As a full-time employee, Nkawu struggled to commit to her full-time job and studies. She said that it put so much pressure on her.
“Being grouped with members that could not fully participate during assignments, challenged me. Online learning became the new normal and therefore sessions could not sometimes run as planned because of network, data and loadshedding problems,” she explained.
She proudly dedicated this achievement to her fellow mates, Ms Karuna Mahadave and Ms Bronwyn Stanley, suggesting that their willingness to assist her in shaping her career made a significant impact. Nkawu advised first year students to be critical and always ask questions whenever they feel unsure.
Pictured: Priscilla Helen Nkawu
Nikiwe Sukazi
