Luyanda Loyiswa Xhakaza, a 22-year-old from the rural town of Swart-Mfolozi, is set to graduate with Cum Laude from the Durban University of Technology (DUT). She will receiver her Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology at the upcoming 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony at Olive Convention Centre (OCC) Durban on Thursday May 2025.
Her journey, defined by grit and purpose, reflects the power of dreams that refuse to be silenced by circumstance.
Raised in a community where opportunities were scarce, she had to fight hard for every inch of progress. Xhakaza explained that she completed her matric at ST Victor Secondary School and walk away with a bachelor’s pass with two distinctions, proving that resilience and ambition can triumph over adversity. Those early experiences laid the foundation for the self-motivated, driven young woman she is today.
Xhakaza explained that studying Information and Communication Technology was not a random choice it was a deliberate step toward creating meaningful tech solutions. “My fascination with technology began when I first witnessed how a simple computer program could solve complex problems, that spark never left me. Choosing ICT was about more than career prospects, it was about positioning myself at the forefront of shaping our digital future in a world where technology touches every aspect of life, I wanted to move from being just a consumer but be a creator, someone who could build solutions that make real differences in people’s lives,” said Xhakaza.
Although Xhakaza had hoped to achieve the Dean’s Merit Award, she is deeply grateful for graduating Cum Laude.The accomplishment still feels surreal to her. “It’s one of those things you dream about but never really expect to happen,” she reflects. She recalls moments when the workload was intense and self-doubt crept in, but it was her consistency that helped her persevere. “It’s not just a grade it’s proof that consistency beats talent when talent doesn’t show up. Trust me, there were days when talent definitely slept in,” added Xhakaza.
The DUT values that resonate most with Xhakaza are excellence and commitment qualities she lived out by reworking assignments, pushing through frustration, and showing up even when exhausted. She also embraced respect for the learning process and accountability to herself, all of which became guiding forces in her academic and personal growth.
University life came with its fair share of challenges. “It was not just about academics, it was about learning how to navigate adulthood,” Xhakaza reflects. Although she was actively involved in netball, she made the difficult decision to step back in order to focus on her studies. She admits that distancing herself from the sport led to feelings of loneliness, and adapting to the demands of critical thinking was a gradual and often difficult process.
When her family heard the news of her Cum Laude achievement, the joy was overwhelming. Her grandmother cried happy tears, her little sister could not stop bragging, and her phone overflowed with love and pride. “Their support kept me going when I wanted to give up. This win is as much theirs as it is mine,” Xhakaza explained.
Currently she is working as a Software Developer Associate at CAPACITI in Braamfontein, Xhakaza is not slowing down. She is preparing to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science, motivated by her honours research and a desire to tackle South Africa’s unique digital challenges. Her career vision goes beyond writing code she aims to design tech solutions that serve African communities, particularly in education. “Five years from now, I want to lead a team building educational technology that makes learning accessible to all,” she explained.
To first-year students hoping to follow in her footsteps, she offers sincere advice: “Embrace the struggle, Build real projects, Learn how to learn because technologies evolve, but problem-solving is forever. Most importantly, believe in your capacity to grow I started with barely knowing how to write a function, and now I’m building systems,” said Xhakaza.
Pictured: Luyanda Loyiswa Xhakaza
Sinamile Sithole
