An award winning karateka from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Rethabile Mphuthi, graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Diagnostic Radiography at the DUT Autumn Graduation ceremony, held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Friday, 22 May 2026.
The 22-year-old chairperson of the DUT Karate Club from Harrismith in the Free State has demonstrated remarkable discipline and resilience throughout her studies, successfully balancing competitive sport and academic excellence. Her achievements in karate have brought recognition to both herself and the institution, while her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to healthcare and patient service.
Rethabile revealed that she had been an A student throughout her school years, but her biggest challenge was transitioning to university life. She had to put in extra effort to adapt to university-level academic demands.
“My first year in 2022 was hard because everything was online and I was not used to using a laptop. However, I tried my best and used all the help I could get, including support from Ms Tertia Vermooten. I stayed committed to my goals and was humble enough to ask for help.Through this effort, I achieved multiple distinctions during my degree,” explained Rethabile.
Her karate journey at DUT also began in 2022 during her first year of study, where she was a total beginner. She joined the sport to learn to defend herself and trained five days a week from 17h00 to 19h00 after her classes.The discipline and mental strength she learned from karate helped her push through moments when the workload felt overwhelming.
The highlight of her karate journey was representing DUT at the University Sport South Africa tournament, where she was crowned champion in her division, all while competing with a broken thumb. Overcoming the pain to achieve victory was a moment she will never forget.
“My other highlights include being elected as the Chairperson of the Karate Club. I also received recognition from Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt, Chairman of I.K.O Africa. I won multiple trophies and medals throughout my time at DUT and I was also featured in the DUT Sports Impact feature in the DUTLink newsletter,” added Rethabile.
Through her qualification in Diagnostic Radiography, she has gained specialised skills in medical imaging, patient care, and the use of advanced diagnostic equipment. These competencies will enable her to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare sector and support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. She plans to continue playing karate while working as a radiographer, since the sport remains an important part of her life.
Speaking about her passion for radiography, Rethabile said it was after her great-grandmother, who raised her, fell sick and she could not assist her. She felt radiography was the best career choice as it helps doctors examine what is wrong with a patient. She plans to further her studies and complete a Master’s Degree in Diagnostic Radiography to gain advanced skills and provide patients with high-quality care. In the future, she aspires to open her own practice and become a leader in her field.
Her success highlights the ability of student-athletes to excel both on the sporting stage and in the classroom, reinforcing DUT’s commitment to nurturing holistic student development. Rethabile’s journey serves as an inspiration to fellow students, demonstrating that dedication, time management, and perseverance can lead to excellence in multiple fields.
She expressed her gratitude to her family, her coaches, and her lecturers at DUT. Balancing sports and a medical course was hard for Rethabile, but it made her a stronger person.
Pictured: Rethabile Mphuthi.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
