Thembalethu Mtshali from Melmoth in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal graduated Cum Laude for her Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Studies (LIS) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn Graduation ceremony held at the Olive Convention Centre this evening, 23 May 2023.

The dedicated Cum Laude graduate divulged that she did not know that there was such a course. She added that she entered into the  programme by default as most of her applications were unsuccessful; and to avoid taking a gap year she enrolled in Library and Information Studies.  Little did she know that she will immensely fall in love with the course and went as far as achieving Cum Laude.

Furthermore, she shared that for her undergraduate (Diploma in LIS), there was not many challenges that she had encountered. However, for her Advanced Diploma it was a bit challenging since she was working. She added that she is currently pursuing the Postgraduate Diploma in Records and Archives Management at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN).

When asked what motivated her to do well in her studies, she said that what motivated her was the passion for the profession.

“I have learnt about how broad it is, and I want to match that in every way possible,” she said.

The elated graduated expressed her excitement upon learning that she has obtained Cum Laude.

“I am very excited, I still pinch myself. Since the beginning of the year I was saying that I want to graduate Cum Laude, but to see it come to life is mind-blowing. I’m still in disbelief,” she said elatedly.

Pictured: Thembalethu Mtshali

Lethukuthula Ngubane