A hardworking and dedicated Construction Management and Quantity Surveying Honours degree student, Amanda Sinegugu Zulu (23) from Greytown graduated Cum Laude at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn Graduation on Monday, 22 May 2023 at Olive Convention Centre (OCC).
Her journey at DUT was quite interesting as she was studying whilst running a small business. She had to practice time management to ensure that she performs well in her schoolwork whilst running her business. She made interesting, long-lasting relationships and beautiful memories during the last four years of her university life.
Zulu believes that this course chose her because before coming at DUT she was doing Chemical Engineering at the University of Pretoria (UP). At the end of her first year at UP she believed that for her to thrive, she needed to be in an environment that incorporates practical experience in alignment with current industry practices and upon doing her research she concluded that DUT would be the environment where she will thrive in.
She had intended to continue with her Chemical Engineering degree at DUT but by the time she applied there were no spaces at the Chemical Engineering programme. The only course that had spaces was Bachelor of Built Engineering: Construction Studies, that’s how she was enrolled for this course.
During her first year of study at DUT, she struggled with drawing and certain concepts because everything about this course was new to her but with the help of YouTube, consulting with those who knew better and not being afraid to ask questions in class, she was able to pull through.
Zulu believes that graduating Cum Laude is an achievement but graduatingCum Laude in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying (QS) as a black woman from the disadvantaged rural area of Greytown is a big deal. “This was a goal of mine from the time I enrolled for this honours program, I knew I had it in me but I also understood that it would take plenty of sacrifices and determination. This achievement is a reminder that I can achieve anything I set my mind into and that no goal is too hard to reach. I am a pioneer of hard work and seeing it payoff is such a liberating feeling, “she said.
Zulu is incredibly proud of a milestone on her road to becoming a qualified Surveyor and she is determined to pave the way in this male dominated sector. She believes that her academic achievement at such age serves an inspiration to many young women, providing that hard work, dedication and support one can achieve their dreams and make a positive impact in their field of study.
“My name has become “Cum Laude graduate” at home. Everyone is very proud and happy for me and that makes me feel so fulfilled as I am to make them proud in everything that I do,” said Zulu.
Pictured: Amanda Sinegugu Zulu
Nomvelo Zulu
