What began as a difficult gap year filled with depression and uncertainty has transformed into a remarkable story of perseverance and academic excellence for 23-year-old Fortunate Dube from Orlando West Extension in Soweto, Johannesburg.
She graduated with a Diploma in Tourism Management from the Durban University of Technology, obtaining cum laude and receiving the Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence. Her graduation ceremony took place on Monday, 25 May 2026, at the Olive Convention Centre.
After matriculating from Phefeni Senior Secondary School in 2021, Fortunate experienced a difficult gap year in 2022 that affected her emotionally and mentally. During that period, she lost hope and never imagined she would receive an opportunity to study Tourism, a field she had always been passionate about.
“In 2022 I unfortunately had a gap year, which made me go through depression and stress. In 2023, I got accepted to study at DUT for Diploma in Tourism Management. As a first-year student I was so excited to study because I had lost hope I never thought I would get an offer to study Tourism which is a course I was passionate about,” she explained.
Her breakthrough came in 2023 when she was accepted to study Tourism Management at DUT. Excited to finally pursue her dream, she arrived at university determined to make the most of the opportunity despite significant financial hardships.
Without bursary funding at the time, life as a student became extremely difficult. Raised by a single mother who works as a domestic worker, Fortunate often struggled to afford basic necessities such as clothing and toiletries while staying at residence. During those difficult moments, she found encouragement and support from Ms Sisanda Soyikwa, a DUT lecturer who played an important role in motivating her to keep going.
Despite the challenges, Fortunate remained focused on a promise she had made to God during her gap year , that if given an opportunity to study, she would give her all and remain committed to her academics. That promise became her daily motivation and pushed her to persevere through every obstacle.
Her dedication soon began to bear fruit. In 2024, Fortunate became the Top Academic Achiever in her class, a moment that affirmed her hard work and determination. That same year, she also secured NSFAS funding for the remainder of her qualification.
Her academic excellence continued to open doors. In 2025, she was selected for an internship at New Frontiers Tours and was later nominated by DUT to participate in an international exchange programme in Germany through Erasmus+ KA171 at Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences.
While studying in Germany, Fortunate completed three tourism-related courses and embraced the opportunity to travel internationally, visiting countries such as Switzerland and Austria.
Even while abroad, her academic achievements continued to shine. She received recognition as one of the Top 3 Achievers in her department for 2024 and attended the award ceremony virtually from Germany.
Fortunate is currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Tourism at DUT while also working permanently at New Frontiers Tours after returning from Germany earlier this year.
“I am currently enrolled as a Tourism Advanced Diploma student at DUT, coming from Germany this year in March, New Frontiers Tours took me back as a permanent employee. My aim is to further my studies within the Tourism department, and with any small money I get I will save to buy my mom a house and travel the world,” she excitedly shared.
Her long-term dream is to continue advancing her studies in tourism, travel the world, and ultimately buy her mother a house as a token of appreciation for her sacrifices.
Pictured: Fortunate Dube
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Thubelihle Dumakude
