For some young people, a lack of funding for their higher education studies would derail their hopes and plans for the future.

Despite the financial challenges that almost blocked her way to success, Charmaine Kujinga was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to prove herself and change the course of her destiny. Kujinga graduated cum laude and received the Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence during the University’s last Spring graduation session (Wednesday, 03 September 2014) which started at 5pm.

Kujinga, the daughter of a self employed mechanic, earned an academic scholarship in Zimbabwe in 2011 to study at Durban University of Technology for National Diploma in Tourism Management. She said money was however often tight, and sometimes struggled to cover some of her necessities. Despite this, Kujinga however managed to thrive against the odds stacked against her, and brilliantly outshined her peers.

“I was expecting to graduate cum laude because I have always been a hard worker since first year. What really comes as a surprise is the Dean’s Merit Award. I am more than excited about it,” she said.

Kujinga, a former member of Junior Parliament in Zimbabwe, initially wanted to study Accounting. This was however a long shot for her due to financial challenges. However, when she was offered to study Tourism Management, she accepted the offer with both hands, falling in love with the field along the way. “When I was introduced to event planning in Tourism Management in second year, I became more passionate towards event management and conferences,” said Kujinga.

She believes that graduating cum laude and receiving the Dean’s Merit Award will add value to her career as it will make her more attractive in the tourism industry. Moreover, she is confident that potential employers will be lured into hiring her since she has proven that she is an outstanding achiever.

Speaking about the state of women empowerment in education, Kujinga, a self proclaimed “underground artist” said she was a true testament that there was visible progress. “The academic environment that we have at DUT is one where women are given the opportunity to succeed and I believe I am evidence to the fact that when women are given the chance, they do not sit back but stand up and take control of their destiny. I am happy that I am a success story of women empowerment in my lifetime,” she said.

A career as an International Entrepreneur is what Kujinga is eyeing for in a space of ten years from now. She wants to be a Professional Conference Organiser and get involved in conferencing and travelling around the world before going back home to Zimbabwe to open her own business.

-Gift Nyamapfene

Pictured: Charmaine Kujinga