Academic excellence was what the Naidu family represented, as three of the sisters from the same family are set to graduate for their respective qualifications at the upcoming Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremonies.

This morning (Monday, 20 May 2024), the first to graduate Cum Laude was the 26-year-old Desiree Naidu for her Honours degree in Quantity Surveying, at the Olive Convention Centre.

Her sister, Andrea Naidu, will be receiving her third qualification, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences, while Bianca Naidu will be graduating for her National Diploma in Accounting.

Desiree shared her excitement about the upcoming ceremonies, saying she enjoyed sharing a stage with Andrea in 2022, and now Bianca Naidu will also be joining them.

“Andrea and I graduated together in 2022 and both us received Cum Laude. It was a really joyful moment for our family, especially our single mother who was quite proud. I am looking forward to sharing this success with my sisters again, as we will be graduating together. It is a special celebration in our household,” she shared emotionally.

Desiree’s academic journey began in 2017 when she enrolled for her National Diploma in Building. She further studied for her Bachelor of Technology degree in Quantity Surveying  and graduated  Cum Laude in 2021. She then decided to take a break from academics in 2022 to pursue her personal and career-related goals. The gap year allowed her the much-needed time to realign and reflect within.

The lass decided to return to DUT in 2023 to complete her honours degree in Quantity Surveying  and is currently pursuing her  master’s degree in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. Besides graduating with Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit award, Biance has achieved other academic accolades. She mentioned that her research was presented via a poster display at the Engineering and Built Environment Research Day in October last year.

She wrote a joint conference paper with her supervisor Dr Zakheeya Armoed, and she presented that conference paper at the Annual Research Conference last year.

She further published a journal for the Journal of Construction with Dr Zakheeya Armoed at the age of 25.

She spoke of an emotional time in her life whilst embarking on her studies. Saying that she had lost her dad in 2017 when she had just started her academic journey.

“I made a promise to my dad on the day of his funeral in 2017 in the first year of my study that I would make him proud in everything I do. I always dedicated all my achievements to my dad,” she said.

The Durban born is currently working for a Quantity Surveying and Project Management firm in Westville.

Pictured: The Naidu sisters, Desiree and Andrea at graduation.

Thubelihle Dumakude