Mongezi Mbedu is preparing to graduate Cum Laude with a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences: Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), after overcoming the challenges of studying from Ladysmith while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Originally from Pretoria and now based in Ladysmith, Mbedu will cross the stage at DUT’s 2026 Spring Graduation at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on 17 September 2026.
Her achievement marks another milestone in an academic journey that has taken her from Mangosuthu University of Technology, where she obtained a National Diploma in Office Management, to DUT, where she completed a Bachelor of Technology in Business Administration in 2016. She later obtained an Honours degree in Business Management through the University of South Africa.
Returning to DUT for postgraduate studies meant managing the demands of academic work while living far from campus. Mbedu travelled between Ladysmith and Durban while also working as an online tutor at Elangeni TVET College.
The distance also brought additional financial pressures, including travel, accommodation and study materials.
“My biggest challenge was funding and balancing my studies with personal responsibilities. Residing in Ladysmith, far from campus, I had to manage travel costs, accommodation and study materials without full funding,” she said.
“There were times I felt completely defeated when I did not have enough funds to cover everything and still had to submit my work on time. The pressure was intense and I sometimes doubted myself because of my financial strain.”
Despite these challenges, Mbedu remained focused on completing her qualification. Her academic performance also earned her a nomination for the 2026 Dean’s Prestigious Award for academic excellence.
Although she did not receive the award, the nomination strengthened her confidence and reinforced her belief that her hard work was paying off.
“Graduating Cum Laude is a very humbling and emotional moment for me. Now residing in Ladysmith, I never imagined I would achieve this level of excellence at postgraduate level,” she said.
“When I received the nomination for the Dean’s Prestigious Award, I still felt a bit defeated because of the pressure I was under. Achieving Cum Laude proved to me that perseverance pays off.”
For Mbedu, the achievement carries significance beyond her academic record. She hopes her journey will encourage other mature students, particularly women, to continue pursuing their ambitions regardless of the challenges they face.
“It is not just an academic achievement for me. It is proof to any Black African woman that it is never too late to rewrite your story. I am proud to represent DUT and to show other mature students that we can compete and excel,” she said.
Her journey also reflects the DUT Living Value of Accountability, which Mbedu says became particularly important during the difficult periods of her studies.
“DUT taught me to be accountable even when I felt defeated due to a lack of funds while living in Ladysmith. The value of Accountability pushed me to achieve better results, which led to my nomination for the Dean’s Prestigious Award,” she said.
Mbedu’s academic journey has also strengthened her interest in Human Resources, a field in which she has professional experience as a former Human Resources Officer at the Department of Public Works.
She has applied to pursue the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Management Sciences in Human Resource Management at DUT and is awaiting the outcome.
Looking ahead, Mbedu hopes to continue developing academically while contributing to the Human Resources profession and remaining connected to DUT.
Her message to other students, particularly mature students facing financial or personal challenges, is simple: do not give up.
“Never feel defeated. There will be funding challenges and late nights, but stay consistent. Use your lecturers, the library and focus on your marks from day one. Your work today can lead to a Dean’s Award tomorrow,” she said.
With her next academic chapter already in sight, Mbedu’s journey demonstrates that distance, financial challenges and setbacks do not have to determine the limits of academic achievement.
Pictured: Top achiever, Mongezi Mbedu.
Picture: Supplied
Sompisi Ntuli
