It was an immensely moving and heartbreaking moment as Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo, with tears in her eyes and courage in her steps, walked the graduation stage at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) to accept a posthumous Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Applications Development, on behalf of her late daughter, Sinenhlanhla Hlatshwayo. The ceremony, held on Saturday, 24 May 2025 at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, became a moment of both sorrow and pride, as DUT honoured Sinenhlanhla’s academic journey and the dreams she worked so hard to achieve. Mrs Hlatshwayo’s presence on stage was a powerful expression of a mother’s love and loss, which was a quiet yet resounding tribute to a life taken too soon.
Mrs Hlatshwayo (45) from Mtubatuba in the northern KwaZulu-Natal, attended her late daughter’s graduation ceremony to accept the Diploma in ICT: Applications Development on her behalf. When her daughter’s name was called, she bravely walked onto the stage in her late daughter’s honour.
DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane conveying his condolences to Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo.
During the graduation ceremony, DUT extended its heartfelt condolences to the late student’s family, friends, the Information and Communications Technology Department and the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. A moment of silence was observed during the ceremony, in memory of Hlatshwayo’s life.
Speaking after the graduation ceremony, Mrs Hlatshwayo revealed that her daughter had sadly passed away on 14 November 2024.
“She left DUT on 7 November 2024 after she had finished her final exams. She stayed at home for seven days and passed away on 14 November 2024. She was not sick, she slept and woke up dead. In the last seven days she spent with us, she seemed fine and did not complain of any illness or anything troubling her,” said Mrs Hlatshwayo.
On the day of her daughter’s passing, Mrs Hlatshwayo said she had left her with her siblings to attend an all-night church service. Upon her return in the morning, she said she found her daughter sleeping with her one leg hanging on the side of the bed. Troubled by this, she said she went to check on her, only to find her ice-cold.
“I tried to move her but I realised she was gone. It is a day I will never forget. My only child in university was gone. She was my only hope and we were excited when she finished her studies. We were hoping she would get a job and our lives would change for the better. As we speak, her younger brother, who finished matric two years ago, is sitting at home. He was meant to study this year but he told me he was scared to go to university as he fears that he might also come back to die. Sinenhlanhla’s death is still a mystery to us, we were not told what was her cause of death. We are finding it hard to heal,” shared Mrs Hlatshwayo.
As painful as it was for her to attend the graduation ceremony and see her daughter’s friends and peers, Mrs Hlatshwayo said it was something she needed to do. She indicated that it was the least she could do to honour her hardworking daughter, who was committed to her studies.
For Mrs Hlatshwayo it is vital to have her daughter’s qualification back home in her honour and she hopes it will serve as a motivation to her younger siblings to further their studies and work on improving their lives.
Pictured: Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo at her late daughter’s graduation.
Photographer: Smile Vilakazi.
Simangele Zuma
