Nolwazi Ndlela (24) has excelled once again as she graduated Cum Laude with four distinctions out of six modulesfor her Advanced Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony. This is her second Cum Laude consecutively, she obtained her first one with 20 distinctions in 2024 for her Diploma. The ceremony was held on Thursday, 22 May 2025 at Olive Convention Centre (OCC) in Durban.
Graduating with Cum Laude twice has been a truly amazing and rewarding journey for Ndlela. It reflects the countless hours, sacrifices, and dedication she has put into her studies since 2021.
“Obtaining Cum Laude in both my qualifications has reminded me that with consistency and purpose, excellence is achievable. I have done it again. I am proud to say that I have earned my second Cum Laude,’’ she explained.
She extended her gratitude to her parents who have always been her greatest support, and seeing how proud they are, reminded her of why she put in so much effort. It was a moment that made all the tough times worth it for her.
Hailing from Imbali in Pietermaritzburg, her aim is to become an expert in the field of Public Relations and become someone who is not only highly skilled but also trusted when it comes to managing and protecting reputation.
Personal growth, resilience, and confidence is what she developed throughout her journey, and she believes that she is ready for the professional challenges that lies ahead.
This success is one step closer to one of her dreams of becoming a public face for international brands one day. She highlighted that Public Relations not only equips her with the technical skills to represent brands professionally, but it also nurtures qualities that come naturally to her which is confidence, adaptability, and relationship-building.
“This qualification is more than just a degree for me, it is a steppingstone towards the global stage I envision myself on,’’ she explained.
Her experience at DUT has truly changed her life. From the beginning, she was eager to seize every chance. With hard work, commitment, and a strong love for public relations, she excelled in her academics.
Like many students, her academic journey had both hurdles and rewarding experiences. One of the toughest challenges she had encountered was figuring out how to balance schoolwork with her personal life. Including financial issues, which made her learn to be more resourceful and focused. These challenges also taught her discipline, time management, and the importance of reaching out for help.
Amongst the DUT Living Values and Principles she associates with most is integrity and excellence. From these values and principles, she learned that they are the foundation of true success. They guided her on how she approached her work, how she treated others, and how she held herself accountable.
Ndlela’s goal is to keep building on what she has learnt so far and to prepare herself for leadership roles in the industry. She said that once she secures a permanent job, she plans to continue with her studies, possibly getting a Postgraduate Diploma and even master’s in communication or strategic brand management.
Sharing her profound advice to first years Ndlela said “Put God first in everything you do, stay consistent, and believe in yourself. Build good relationships with your lecturers, they will guide and support you more than you know,’’ she said.
Presently she works as an intern at House of Christ Family Church, in Pietermaritzburg, where she creates and manages engaging content for the church’s social media platforms, capture photos and videos for promotional use, and ensures that all public-facing materials align with the church’s mission, values, and brand identity.
Pictured: Nolwazi Ndlela
Photographer: Sibonelo Dlamini
Vukani Langa
