Growing up watching her brother build houses as a bricklayer inspired Gcinwayinkosi Gwala to pursue her Bachelor of the Built Environment in Construction Studies at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

The 25-year-old from Golokodo-Ensimbini, south of Durban, not only graduated Cum Laude for the degree but she also came top of her class, bagging the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award.

She graduated at the Olive Convention Centre on Monday, 20 May 2024.

Gwala believes her educational success and vision are to be primarily attributed to her family. Besides her bricklayer brother, her other brother is a plumber and specialised in roofing. Whilst she was interested in handling the bricks, pipes, and machines, she also wanted to extended herself to the financial side of the construction business.

“I am really proud of myself for graduating with the Dean’s Merit award. This is just proof that hard work pays off. All the late nights, tears, not spending enough time with loved ones, was all worth it. I had a goal and I worked really hard to achieve it,” said Gwala.

Gwala is no stranger to the academic accomplishment scene. She has received awards in 2021 and 2022 for her outstanding performances in three core modules. These were Quantities and Documentation, Construction Technology, and Construction Management. She has also received an award for being the best student in her class.

Gwala plans to further her studies by doing her Honours next year. She is currently a graduate quantity surveyor with ENZA Construction.

The Dean’s Merit awardee says her future plans includes working as a lecturer to share all the experiences she has accumulated and to prepare the next generation of quantity surveyors for the working field.

Pictured: Gcinwayinkosi Gwala

 Mthokozisi Dlamini