Former President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Solomzi Zoleka, proudly obtained his Postgraduate Diploma in Business Law during the DUT 2026 Autumn Graduation ceremony held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
As he walked across the graduation stage to receive his third qualification, he was applauded not only for his academic achievement, but also for his continued commitment to leadership and the promotion of academic excellence among students.
The 23-year-old from uMzimkhulu made history as the first SRC President at DUT to be elected to serve a two-year term. Reflecting on his academic journey, he encouraged current and aspiring student leaders to embrace opportunities for further study and to lead by example.
“When I did my first interview years ago, I spoke about my dream of one day attaining a PhD, and receiving this qualification is proof that I am still steadily working towards that goal. I am deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering support throughout this journey,” he said.
Among the DUT values he identifies with most is honesty, which he believes is fundamental to effective leadership.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in the same field, Solomzi also serves as the Chairperson of the Community Engagement Subcommittee under the South African Union of Students (SAUS). In this leadership role, he coordinates national community engagement initiatives, strengthens collaboration between universities, and represents students in engagements with civil society and government stakeholders.
His vision for the future extends beyond his current responsibilities. He hopes to establish a National Community Engagement Week, develop stronger systems to measure the impact of student-led projects, prioritise rural outreach programmes, and create inter-institutional platforms that encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration among students across the country.
For Zoleka, the latest qualification is not the end of the journey, but another important milestone in a lifelong commitment to leadership, education, and service.
Pictured: Solomzi Zoleka
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Thubelihle Dumakude
