There were tears, applause and emotion as the family of Nokwethemba Myaka walked onto the graduation stage to receive the qualification she had worked so hard to achieve. During the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Autumn Graduation ceremony on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, her loved ones accepted her posthumous Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Business Analysis on her behalf. It was a moment that was both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring. For the Myaka family, the occasion was about far more than a qualification. Nokwethemba carried the hopes and dreams of her family throughout her academic journey and would have become the first graduate in her family. Although she was not there to wear the graduation gown herself, her presence was deeply felt as her family proudly honoured the determination, resilience and dream that defined her life.
Coming all the way from Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, Nokwethemba’s grandfather, Mr Muntukathenjwa Myaka (82) and her aunt, Ms Sabathile Myaka (40), bravely attended her graduation in honour of her hard work and the legacy she has left behind.
DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane comforting the late Nokwethemba Myaka’s aunt, Ms Sabathile Myaka at graduation.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Nokwethemba’s life. DUT extended its sincere condolences to the late student’s family, friends, the Department of Information and Communications Technology and to the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Myaka revealed that his granddaughter sadly passed away last month on 27 April 2026 after experiencing complications while giving birth in one of the hospitals in Durban. He shared that her baby luckily survived the tragic incident, which he referred to as a blessing for the family. Nokwethemba was laid to rest on 5 May 2026, a few days before her graduation.
“We are grateful to God that Nokwethemba’s baby girl is alive. We are praying to God to give the family strength to raise the child. We are hoping the Department of Health can launch an investigation into Nokwethemba’s death as we believe there might have been some negligence at the hospital. We are finding it hard to heal as she was our hope for a better future,” said Mr Myaka.
He extended his gratitude to DUT for honouring his granddaughter’s hard work and commitment to her studies. He said it was a proud moment for him to hear her name being called on stage, which was a memory he will forever cherish. He described her as a respectful young woman who loved her family.
The aunt shared that Nokwethemba was looking forward to her graduation and had already bought her outfit for her big day. She said the family was looking forward to her graduation day as they were going to celebrate two graduations in the family. Graduating on the same day at DUT was her cousin, Ms Nokulunga Dlangamandla, who obtained her Diploma in Information and Communication Technology in Business Analysis. Nokulunga, who was close to Nokwethemba, also got emotional when her name was called on the graduation stage. They were looking forward to graduating together.
The aunt further shared that Nokwethemba’s parents could not attend her graduation as they were still trying to come to terms with their loss. The late Nokwethemba was going to be the first graduate in her family, and the family hopes that through her passing, her younger siblings will be motivated to further their studies and work on improving their lives.
Pictured: Nokwethemba Myaka’s grandfather, Mr Muntukathenjwa Myaka and her aunt, Ms Sabathile Myaka accepting her posthumous Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Business Analysis at the DUT Autumn Graduation ceremony.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
