The Durban University of Technology student, Nompumelelo Mbhele (21) from Umlazi, Durban graduated Cum Laude for her National Diploma in Taxation at Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Thursday 24 May 2023.
Her Journey at DUT began in 2020 under the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. In her third-year she was appointed as the Executive Committee: Community Engagement Officer for the DUT Green Campus Initiative (GCI).
“My journey has been quite interesting, my biggest highlight is when I was appointed as the Community Engagement Officer for Green Campus Initiative (GCI). When I was appointed, it was quite scary and exciting at the same time because I never imagined myself being in a leadership position. I can say my journey at DUT was a rollercoaster ever since day one, I made friends, and we lost a friend, classmate, and study partner along the way and I will forever be grateful for meeting that soul. If it wasn’t for him, I would not have passed Financial Accounting the way I did,” she said.
Mbhele believes that university is not child’s play but with God, endless love and support system from her family and friends, she was able to concur every challenge that she encountered and she will always be grateful for that.
Graduating Cum laude came as surprise to her. Mbhele believes that nothing beats the feeling of seeing your parents proud and happy. Her family were very happy when she told them that she is graduating Cum Laude, as she is the first graduate in her family. Her grandmother literally couldn’t hold her tears, she kept saying “Ngiyabonga ngane yomtanami, nami wangenza umuntu ebantwini” (Thank you my granddaughter, you have restored my dignity). Hearing those words coming from her made Mbhele to be so emotional.
Mbhele advised first-year students to always do their best in their studies, she mentioned that this is not a competition, everyone is running their own race.
“Just look at me as an example, who would have thought that I can graduate Cum Laude, as I was just the ordinary student back in high school. Martin Luther king Junior once said, if you cannot fly then run, if you cannot run then walk, if you cannot walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you must keep moving forward,” said Mbhele.
Pictured: Nompumelelo Mbhele
Nomvelo Zulu
