Monday April 15, 2013 marked the official beginning of a career and journey of life for Faculty of Arts and Design graduates of the Durban University of Technology.

The students formally received their certificates, diplomas and degrees in what was an emotional ceremony for both graduates and their family members.

The Faculty of Arts and Design graduation ceremony took place at the Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko Campus. The event commenced with a welcome by DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Ahmed Bawa, who congratulated students and parents for making it to this point, also encouraging them (students) to further their education.

Before officially becoming graduates, students were addressed by the guest speaker, Andries Botha, an internationally renowned Durban artist who is a former DUT student. Publicly, he is famous for his controversial elephant sculptors at Warwick Junction.

Congratulating parents for a job well done, Botha said educating one’s children is never easy, adding that universities play an important role in giving South Africans wisdom and knowledge through the hearts and minds of young people. He urged graduates to ask themselves what their roles are as creative citizens when entering into the world of work.

Botha said although going through university was challenging for many students, “the real challenge awaits when the world around us starts to crumble”. “What we learn here (at the university) needs to be put into practice in the real world. How will we apply our intelligence to heal the world?” said Botha.

Being a nature conservationist himself, Botha encouraged graduates to save the physical planet and everything that works with it if they love South Africa.

– Nikita Smith-Morgan

Pictured: Andries Botha, honorary guest speaker and internationally renowned Durban artist, addresses students during the Faculty of Arts and Design Graduation Ceremony at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus, yesterday (Monday April 15, 2013).