A Durban University of Technology (DUT) maiden, Malwande Cele who is a member of Izimbali ze-DUT Virgins Club Society made her mother proud after graduating Cum Laude for her Degree of Bachelor of Education: Technology at the DUT 2023 Autumn Graduation opening ceremony held at the Indumiso Campus Hall, this morning, Monday, 15 May 2023.
Cele (24) from Thornville in Pietermaritzburg came fully dressed in her Zulu maiden traditional attire as a way of honouring her beauty and virginity. She caught the people’s eye when her name was also called out on stage as one of the top achievers in her department.
“I was inspired by our leader, Wandile Khumalo who was conferred with her Degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing last year. She led by example and we were also inspired to excel in our studies,” said Cele.
Speaking on the choice of being a maiden, Cele said it is something that she was taught from a young age back home. She stated that being at a university did not mean she would forget her mother’s teachings.
“When I left home to study at a university, my mother emphasized the importance of preserving myself for marriage. I also wanted to lead by example to young girls in my family and community. We live in a dangerous world full of diseases so the first thing I did when I joined DUT was to join Izimbali ze-DUT,” said Cele.
From a young age, Cele had always strived for top marks in her assessments. It is in her nature to give off her best in all that she does. She revealed that she is the first person in her family to graduate Cum Laude. Cele’s elder sisters paved the way graduating first and she challenged herself to up the standard in her academics.
Her proud mother, Mrs Omega Cele (40) said as a young mother she was scared when her daughter was growing up, fearing what the future holds for her.
“Many young girls end up not completing school and succeeding. I am proud of her for excelling in her studies and for successfully completing her studies. She was very focused in her studies. She is a great example to other young girls and the future is bright for her. I give her all my blessings for making me happy. When the parent is happy, everything can happen for you,” said Mrs Cele.
Pictured: Malwande Cele.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
