Lethukuthula Melusi Myeni from Jozini in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal graduated Cum Laude on 25 May 2023 during the DUT Autumn graduation that was hosted at the Olive Convention Centre. Myeni was graduating for his Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing and was part of the minority in his class that achieved Cum Laude.

The 23-year-old thanked himself for being his biggest supporter  throughout his academic journey. Myeni further thanked his  family and the  Head of Department (HOD) of Auditing and Taxation, Dr Lulu Jali for guiding and supporting him consistently. For Myeni, the journey has  been amazing  as he  was always  surrounded by people who had faith in him even though sometimes he would feel like giving up but they were always by his side to cheer him up.

Along his  journey at DUT, Myeni developed so much confidence in himself and in his studies and he claimed that is what made it to be pleasant. He added that he learnt to believe in himself more, to never settle for less, to never give up and to give his outmost best in everything he did. Myeni highlighted the DUT Tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful. Saying that it shaped his way of living at DUT.

“One of the things that drives me to doing my best is being the first born child. When you are a first born you need to set up a good image to the younger ones and set  high standards for yourself.  I have the responsibility to be an example to my siblings so that it becomes easier for them to look up to me as their role model. Making my mother proud had always been the goal for me. She had always been there for me since day one, through ups and downs,” he explained.

One of the challenges Myeni faced in 2022 was when he had to travel from Jozini to Durban for an assessment. Having to adapt to the workplace and school at the same time, to try and juggle everything all at once also imposed a challenge on him. Moreover, Myeni added that having to search for sponsors for his Advanced Diploma studies was challenging too.

Myeni is currently an intern. When he first learned that he had  obtained Cum Laude and was declared as the second top achiever for the Advanced Diploma class of 2022 through his departmental academic awarding ceremony, he was ecstatic. He added that he was happy to see all his hard work finally paying off..

“I would advise first years to give a 100% in everything, consult with lecturers and form study groups,” he said.

Pictured: Lethukuthula Myeni

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile

Nikiwe Sukazi