Seeing twins graduating together at the same time from the same university is not something you see every day. The Pietermaritzburg twins Zanele and Zandile Mkhize (24) have made a significant breakthrough on their academic success.
Zandile who is also a former Students Representative Council (SRC) member graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Public Management and Administration, and her twin sister Zanele obtained her Advanced Diploma in Public Management specialising in Supply Chain Management. They both graduated at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Spring Graduation ceremony at Durban Exhibition Centre, on 19 September 2024.
Zanele said that graduating with her twin sister on the same day was amazing and it was an unforgettable moment. She also shared that her family were overjoyed upon receiving the news of their achievement.
‘’When I shared the news with my family, they were overjoyed and incredibly supportive. Having my family by my side, celebrating this achievement with my twin sister, made the experience even more unforgettable. I am grateful for their love and support, this moment was a cherished memory for all of us,’’ said Zanele.
The twin sisters claimed that their time at DUT has been a mix of rewarding experiences and challenges. And they have learned a lot and grown significantly. Despite the hurdles, but through support their journey has been truly positive and transformative.
Zandile shared that she was fortunate to have strong support both from the university, where she had access to people who could assist and advise.
“I was lucky to have support from my family, who supported me financially, emotionally. My family was not surprised at all when they heard about my graduation because they always believed in me, and I am proud to have met their expectations,’’ said Zandile.
She further mentioned that this was not her choice of study but as time went by, she developed the love for her course, and she is keen on furthering her studies at DUT. “Things did not go exactly as planned; I trust that everything happened according to God’s will. I am planning on to furthering my studies with DUT,’’ she added.
While Zanele also currently employed as an Order Processing Specialist for an international company she fell in love with the field after completing her higher certificate in 2019, since then she became increasingly passionate about the field and decided to further her studies.
“Studying Public Management and Administration indeed was my choice, and I am passionate about it. I chose this field because I am driven by a desire to make a difference in my community and contribute to the greater good. I am interested in understanding how policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated, and how public institutions can be managed efficiently and effectively,’’ said Zanele.
The twins are both currently employed as Order Processing Specialists. They strongly associate with some of the DUT ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles which are transparency, honesty, respect, accountability and excellence. “Together, these values and principles are central to who we are and how we strive to contribute positively to the world around us,’’ added Zanele.
They also advised first-year student who are in this field, explaining that this field is all about making a tangible impact and ensuring that public services and resources are delivered efficiently to communities.
Zanele in the long-term aspires to become a renowned expert in Public Administration, contributing to academic research, publishing articles, and speaking at conferences. “I would also like to explore opportunities in international development, helping governments and organizations improve their public administration capacity and achieve their goals,’’ said Zanele.
Pictured. Twin sisters Zanele and Zandile Mkhize who graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration.
Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.
Vukani Langa
