Lungisa Phakathi, a 23-year-old from eTshelimnyama in Pinetown, Mariannhill, has achieved remarkable success in his academic pursuits at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). He graduated for His Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences specialising in Business Administration with Cum Laude and Deans Merit award for academic excellence. The ceremony was held at the Olive Convention Centre on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.

Phakathi’s academic achievements are a testament to his hard work and resilience. He started with a Diploma in Business Administration and progressed to an Advanced Diploma in the same field, obtaining a Deans Merit, which is a significant accomplishment. This achievement reflects his ability to overcome challenges and push through boundaries.

“Being awarded with a Deans Merit award at an Advanced Diploma level is very exciting and emotional for me as it reflects how strong I was in overcoming all the challenges I faced along the way. This shows that resilience is the powerful mechanism that People can use overcome any struggles in life,” said the joyful Phakathi.

The DUT values that resonate with Phakathi are respect and excellence. He believes that respect is crucial in today’s diverse environment, where people from different backgrounds come together to make a difference. Excellence, he notes, is a core principle at DUT, driving students to strive for continuous improvement and become the best version of themselves.

“We live in a very diverse environment now days and DUT is on a continuous basis emphasising inclusiveness, where pupils from anywhere can join the DUT community and make a difference by working with others regardless of backgrounds and races,” he said.

His passion for entrepreneurship led him to choose Business Administration as his field of study. He is now pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, with the aim of becoming a game-changer in the field of entrepreneurship.

As a tutor at DUT, Phakathi is already making a difference in the lives of others. He offers valuable advice to first-year students, encouraging them to eliminate fear and resistance to change, work hard, and never give up. He emphasised that university life can be challenging, but with persistence and dedication, all is doable.

Pictured: Lungisa Phakathi

Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini

Thubelihle Dumakude