Cedrick Nzuza, 22, a DUT Surveying student recently put the University on the map after winning the 2011 South African Geomatics Institute’s (SAGI) Optron Award, which is given to the best Surveying student.

Nzuza, who graduated during DUT’s Spring Graduation recently received the award which was accompanied by a cash prize of R5000. The Optron Award is given to the best diploma student (S1 – S4) across the four South Africa Universities of Technology offering a national diploma in Surveying.

Nzuza achieved 15 distinctions with a total aggregate of 78 percent; beating students from the Mangosuthu University of Technology, Cape Peninsular University of Technology as well as Tshwane University of Technology.

Nzuza attributes his victory to “hard work” and being surrounded by diligent, positive friends. While he had a social life, Nzuza said his studies always remained his number one focus while studying at DUT.
His former lecturer, Terry Hunter is extremely proud, describing Nzuza as a humble but diligent student.

“Cedrick as a student was unassuming, hard working, conscientious and dedicated. He comes from a financially disadvantaged background and has overcome huge adversities. This young man will go places,” said Hunter.
Nzuza is currently employed and hopes to do his BTech soon.

–Sinegugu Ndlovu
Caption: DUT graduate Cedrick Nzuza with Danial Read from Optron.