They put in the hard work, overcame challenges and made every moment count. Wednesday, 27 May 2026, marked the last ceremony of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2026 Autumn Graduation. The university celebrated a major academic milestone as a total of 7 993 graduates from the Midlands and Durban campuses obtained their qualifications.
The graduation ceremonies marked a moment of pride, resilience, and achievement for graduates, their families, lecturers, and the broader DUT community, as students from diverse disciplines were officially conferred with qualifications ranging from diplomas, advanced diplomas, to postgraduate degrees and doctorates.
Hosted over 32 sessions, the ceremonies showcased DUT’s continued commitment to producing graduates equipped to contribute meaningfully to society, industry, innovation, and economic development both locally and globally. Among the graduates were future healthcare professionals, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, creatives, technologists, and researchers who are expected to play a critical role in addressing societal challenges, driving innovation and economic development across various sectors.
The celebrations were filled with jubilation as graduates reflected on years of sacrifice, determination, hard work, and perseverance. Many graduates overcame significant personal, financial, and social challenges to reach this milestone, making the ceremonies not only a celebration of academic success, but also of resilience and hope.
The ceremonies also highlighted DUT’s growing contribution to research and innovation, with several Master’s and Doctoral graduates presenting research focused on areas such as healthcare, renewable energy, education, engineering, technology, sustainability, and social justice.
The last PhD recipient was Dr Cleopatra Moipone Matli, a DUT lecturer in the Department of Marketing and Retail. She was conferred with her Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences, specialising in Marketing.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dr Matli (43), from the Free State province, who joined DUT in 2017, shared her excitement about obtaining both her Master’s and PhD at DUT. She was excited to graduate with her cohort of students, describing it as an exhilarating experience.
She shared the exciting news that a day before her graduation she received an acceptance letter for her paper from her PhD study titled “Factors that influence consumers’ non-adoption of FMCG online shopping post COVID-19 in South Africa.” Her study contributes by inverting the adoption paradigm and offering practical insights for research practitioners and retailers to design interventions that foster trust and inclusive digital participation in South Africa’s evolving e-commerce landscape. She also published a paper from her Master’s study and hopes to continue publishing as she works towards becoming a postdoctoral fellow and eventually a professor.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Professor Matthys Swanepoel, Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, congratulated the Class of 2025 and encouraged graduates to use their qualifications to make a positive impact within their communities and professions. As per the theme of this year’s graduation #TheJourneyContinues, he reminded graduates that the ceremony did not mark the end of their DUT journey and encouraged them to return for postgraduate studies.
“As the journey continues, things change. You need to adapt to evolving technology. AI is here to make our lives easier, make it your friend. Go out there and make DUT, your parents, your sponsors and yourselves proud. Well done and good luck going forward,” he said.
Family members and supporters travelled from across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond to witness the memorable occasion, celebrating the achievements of loved ones who successfully completed their academic journeys.
The university acknowledged the dedication of academic and support staff who continue to provide guidance, mentorship, and support to students throughout their studies. Both academic and support staff were applauded for their commitment and hard work in ensuring the success of the Autumn Graduation ceremonies.
As graduates officially joined the ranks of DUT alumni, the University reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence, student success, community engagement, and producing graduates who are entrepreneurial, not only seeking job opportunities but also creating jobs for themselves and others.
Pictured: DUT graduates
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Simangele Zuma
