Not all diamonds shine from the start, some must be forged in pressure, refined by hardship, and polished by perseverance. At just 22-years- of age, Kahisano Gama from Springs, in the city of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, embodies the journey of a young woman who refused to give up even when life and academics both felt strenuous.
Gama had graduated Cum Laude for her a Diploma in Information and Communication Technology in Application Development from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) held on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg. Gama is not just celebrating an academic milestone she’s celebrating survival and growth.
“I cried and laughed. I lost my mind at times but with God and my ancestors are always on my side, I can finally say I have conquered all,” she said.
Gama also shared that her academic journey at DUT began in 2022 with great excitement, but what initially felt like a dream soon turned into a tough reality. Without financial aid or external support, the burden of paying tuition fees fell entirely on her mother. The coursework was demanding, and she constantly battled stress and anxiety. Still, even in her most difficult moments, she held on to her purpose and reminded herself of the reason she began.
She said that she kept sticky notes with motivational quotes and messages all over her wall. She said messages like Ngwanyana ke thuto waya waya and Ayikho inkomo yobuthongo reminded her that failure was not an option. And slowly, day by day, she turned those tears into triumph.
“Today I no longer say Ngwanyana ke skolo but Ngwanyana ke Cum Laude, she proudly stated.
For Gama, DUT was more than a campus it was a place that shaped her and built her to be a better person. As she reflects on her time at the institution, she expressed immense gratitude to her lecturers especially Miss Boniswa Mafunda, who became more than a lecturer, “She was like my varsity mom,” said Gama.
Even though Gama wanted to learned Psychology she has embraced the world of ICT with purpose and determination. She’s currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Information and Communication Technology at DUT’s Ritson Campus and continues to hold firm to DUT’s core values being respect, integrity, excellence, and compassion. “These principles are how I carry myself and how I treat others. After all, umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” she says.
Among the unexpected challenges she faced was leading group projects across her three years of study, a role that tested her patience, but ultimately shaped her into a stronger, more empathetic leader. “I cried but seeing my groupmates improve, knowing I helped to motivate them that was one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.”
When the news of her Cum Laude achievement reached her family, the house was filled with celebration and gratitude. “They were excited and still are, more excited than I am, they prayed with me, cried with me, sacrificed with me and now we get to celebrate together, Gama explained.
To first-year students hoping to follow in her footsteps, Gama offers powerful advice: “Only do this if you truly love ICT. You will have days when no one is there to support you that’s when you need to believe in yourself the most. Find strength in your faith, and when things get tough, remind yourself why you are here, said Gama.
Pictured: Kahisano Gama
Sinamile Sithole
