On Monday, 26 May 2025, the Olive Convention Centre (OCC) in Durban was filled with pride and celebration as Zama Siphambo, a determined and resilient young woman from Umlazi township, walked across the stage to receive her Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Business Analysis. This moment was not just a graduation it was a powerful proof to years of perseverance, sacrifice, and dedication.

Siphambo, who turns 25 this year, began her academic journey at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in 2022. Despite the excitement of stepping into higher education, her path was anything but easy. As a local student unable to apply for residence due to personal reasons. Without the luxury of 24/7 campus WiFi or a stable internet connection at home, access to learning resources was a constant challenge.

She balanced her studies with the demanding roles of being a young mother to her seven-year-old son andworking part-time jobs to support herself financially. Many nights were spent studying in darkness during power outages. Her persistent pursuit of excellence earned her an incredible 21 distinctions.

Currently, she is pursuing her Advanced Diploma in ICT, Siphambo has no intentions of slowing down. With aspirations of pursuing her Honours degree and eventually achieving a PhD, she dreams of working with one of the world’s top IT companies.

When asked what advice she would give to others entering the ICT field, she confidently replied, “Work hard and always put your knowledge into practice. Programming and technical skills are essential in this field.”

Her story is more than academic success it is a reminder that even in the face of hardship, with passion, discipline, and heart, dreams are possible. Her graduation is not just a personal achievement, it is  a beacon of inspiration for many students, especially young women in tech, across South Africa.

Pictured: Zama Siphambo

Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini

Phiwayinkosi Sibiya