At 45 years old, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi has proven that it is never too late to pursue excellence. Originally from Esikhawini and now residing in Hillcrest, Sibusiso recently graduated Cum Laude for his Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology Business School.
For Sibusiso, the achievement represents more than academic success it is a promise fulfilled to his children and a testament to perseverance, discipline, and lifelong learning.
“My children were my biggest motivation, I promised them that I would achieve distinctions, and I wanted to show them that through hard work and dedication, excellence is possible at any stage of life” he shared.
Balancing a demanding full-time career with academic responsibilities was one of the greatest challenges he faced during his studies. As the Maintenance Planning Manager at Illovo Sugar’s Eston Mill, Sibusiso often attended classes exhausted after long working hours.
“The balancing act between work and studies was extremely demanding, there were many evenings when I arrived at class physically tired, but my vision kept me disciplined. It taught me the importance of time management, resilience, and commitment,” he explained.
Despite the pressure, he describes his journey at DUT as deeply enriching and transformative. The programme sharpened his strategic thinking and strengthened his leadership capabilities, equipping him with the business acumen needed to complement his extensive technical background.
Sibusiso says he strongly resonate with DUT’s values of honesty, integrity, and accountability, principles he applies both professionally and personally.
“For me, integrity means doing the right thing ethically, regardless of who is watching, accountability is central to my work ethic because I believe in taking ownership of my decisions and actions,” he said.
He also prides himself on professionalism and excellence, consistently striving to exceed expectations in every aspect of his work and studies.
His family’s reaction to the news of his academic success made the achievement even more meaningful.
“They were absolutely over the moon, seeing their joy was the best reward for all the long nights of studying. They are excited to celebrate this milestone with me at graduation,” he said.
Choosing to study Business Administration was a deliberate decision aligned with his long-term aspirations of transitioning into senior Project Management roles within the engineering and sugar sectors.
His academic journey is far from over. Sibusiso is currently enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in 2027.
“My goal is to become a specialised Project Manager who can lead large-scale industrial projects and contribute strategically to the growth of the engineering and sugar industries,” he explained.
To first-year students hoping to follow a similar path, Sibusiso encourages them to remain committed and cultivate a genuine passion for learning.
“Success requires more than simply studying hard, you must develop a thirst for knowledge, read extensively, research thoroughly, and never settle for the minimum,” he advised.
He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the DUT lecturers and staff for creating an environment that supports working professionals pursuing higher education while maintaining their careers.
“DUT has truly made it possible for people like me to continue chasing our dreams without putting our professional lives on hold,” he said.
Pictured: Sibusiso Mkhwanazi
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Sinamile Sithole
