Bonakele Ngiba was born in Ndwedwe and raised in the vibrant township of KwaMashu. She is passionate about learning, self-growth, and making a meaningful impact in the auditing profession. She graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Audit, earning the Dean’s Merit award, from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony on Monday, 26 May 2025, at the Olive Convention Centre (OCC) in Durban.
Her journey at DUT had been a rewarding and transformative experience. Although the journey had its challenges, particularly balancing work and studies, it had also been inspiring and life changing, helping to shape both her professional and personal values.
“The DUT living values and principles that resonate most with me are transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, accountability, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence. These are not just words to me they reflect both my personality and the values required in my profession. As an aspiring internal auditor, upholding integrity and accountability is crucial, and I always strive to bring compassion, professionalism, and excellence to everything I do,” she said.
When she shared the news of her graduation, her family was overjoyed and incredibly proud, despite initial concerns on her ability to manage the workload. Upon hearing of her academic excellence, they felt immense happiness and relief. They proudly said, “Ngivuna engikutshalile,” meaning she’s reaping the rewards of her hard work.
According to her, she initially studied Accounting Science, which led to a contract position as a Junior Internal Auditor. She quickly developed a deep interest in internal auditing and sought to align her academic qualifications with her career path.
The postgraduate diploma provided her with a more in depth understanding of internal auditing, complementing her undergraduate focus on external auditing. Her long-term goals include pursuing a Master’s in Internal Auditing and becoming a Certified Internal Auditor. Her aim is to make a meaningful contribution to the industry and to establish herself as a trusted and competent professional.
“To all first-year students, give it you’re all from day one. Be fully committed to your studies and stay focused on your goals. Don’t let distractions or temporary setbacks steer you off course. Stay resilient, be consistent, and remember why you started,” she concluded.
Pictured: Bonakele Ngiba
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
