Girl power dominated at the opening of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Spring Graduation Ceremony consisting of 290 adaptive graduates from the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. Guests gathered at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban witnessed three women being conferred with their PhDs, earlier today (Thursday, 18 September 2025).
Gracing the stage consecutively were two DUT staff members, first being a Faculty Research Co-Ordinator at the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Dr Margaret Masuku (50) who obtained her Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Technology. She was followed by Dr Pamela Rakoma (53), a Library and Information Studies lecturer in the Department of Information Systems at DUT. She was awarded her Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science. Lastly, all the way from Cape Town was Dr Regina Sikhosana (52), a newly appointed Deputy Director in the Librarian at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She obtained her Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science
Dr Margaret Masuku.
For Dr Masuku, her thesis gave her the opportunity to merge her background in education and technology with her interest in the maritime industry. She explored how digital transformation can be applied to enhance maritime education and training in South Africa. She also investigated how lecturers, students, and institutions adopt and use digital tools, simulators, and online learning platforms using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The findings showed that digital transformation has the potential to improve accessibility, teaching efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Looking ahead, Masuku plans to continue learning through post-doctoral research, publishing, and professional development. She wants to play a role in shaping policy, building capacity in higher education, and ensuring that South African maritime graduates are well-prepared for global opportunities. She plans to leverage her expertise to drive meaningful contributions in academia, industry, and society through her research and work experience.
Dr Pamela Rakoma.
Dr Rakoma walked the stage beaming with journey as she witnessed the fruits of her hard work. Her thesis was titled: Towards a Multimodal Framework for Work Integrated Learning Assessments. She shared that this study aimed to develop and test a multimodal framework for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) assessments.
“My PhD journey was the hardest of all. I faced moments of doubt, tears, and the temptation to give up. But I held on to my faith and drew strength from my daughter and my supervisors, Dr Sentoo and Prof Rajkomaar. At times, I thought it was impossible, but God’s promise that ‘when the time is right, I will make it happen’ carried me through,” said Dr Rakoma.
Dr Sikhosana’s research focused on the adoption and maintenance of the next generation integrated library systems in academic libraries. Her PhD journey was filled with joyful and sad experiences.
Dr Regina Sikhosana.
“My study started in 2021 during the COVID-19 era, during that time my mom suffered a stroke and her health deteriorated beginning of 2024 and she passed on 13th June, two days after her birthday which was on 11th June 2024. When she died, I also died inside and this interrupted my studies. I did not cope very well and received counselling. The support from my family especially my two boys kept me going. I was able to finalise my corrections early in the year 2025,” reiterated Dr Sikhosana who wished her mother was alive to witness her special day.
Besides obtaining her PhD, Dr Sikhosana shared she was also celebrating her recent appointment as Deputy Director in the Librarian at CPUT. She was happy to have her family with her all the way from Johannesburg to celebrate her double success.
Pictured: Dr Regina Sikhosana, Dr Pamela Rakoma and Dr Margaret Masuku.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Simangele Zuma/Thubelihle Dumakude/Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
