Zothile Khawula, 23, juggled her Human Resources Management Btech and her in-service training.

With her hands full because of her internship, her studies took a back seat and she almost dropped out as a result. But Khawula’s determination would not allow her to take the easy way out, and today (Tuesday 17 April); she was rewarded for her perseverance as she graduated Cum Laude.

“I’m feeling very excited. I didn’t expect it, although I worked hard. Btech was very challenging. I was doing my in-service training (while I was doing Btech) so I had to study after hours. I had a lot of sleepless nights. I hardly attended class, and I got to a point where I wanted to deregister,” she said.

However, Khawula’s willpower and friends who were fellow students would have nothing of the sort. The Northlands Girls High School old girl said her friends assisted her with notes whenever she missed class and her lecturers were also supportive.

Khawula’s research project focused on the Glass Ceiling phenomenon, specifically on women occupying top positions. Her findings were that men still dominate these top positions.

Excited about their daughter’s achievement, Khawula’s parents took her out to lunch to celebrate the good news. The 23 year old who comes from Inanda is setting her sights on Psychology.

–Sinegugu Ndlovu