Zamaswazi Shabalala from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal walked the stage gracefully as she graduated Cum Laude and with Dean’s Merit award for her Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremony. The prestigious ceremony was held at the Olive Convention Centre on Thursday, 23 May 2024.

The 27-year-old faced many challenges during her academic journey, one was balancing school and having a full-time job.

“My job was just as demanding as my studies. Another challenge was with research in particular, having been a first time research student and having no knowledge and background was really difficult,” explained Shabalala.

As a first Cum Laude graduate in the family, she dedicated the achievement to her parents who were extremely proud of her and she further thanked them for their support and motivation.

“My parents were extremely proud as I am the first in my family to be graduating Cum Laude. I am blessed to have an amazing support system, parents that are passionate about education as they are both educators. Everyone was really happy and excited about me attending my graduation ceremony as I had missed my undergraduate graduation due to COVID-19,” she said.

Shabalala aims to be in corporate one day, and eventually be self-employed. She believes that gaining experience in corporate would assist her greatly in becoming an exceptional business woman. She is currently working as a part-time lecturer at a private college.

Shabalala further emphasised the importance of hard work and discipline to future students at DUT.

“At university, discipline guarantees success. You are your own responsibility, put in the work and ask for help when you are struggling. Do not aim for mediocrity, challenge yourself and go the extra mile,” advised Shabalala.

Pictured: Zamaswazi Nomvelo Shabalala

Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.

Patience Makhaye