REGISTRATION
INFORMATION
World University Rankings - Top 600

Tatenda Triumphs Over His Loss and Graduates With Top Marks

Tatenda Triumphs Over His Loss and Graduates With Top Marks

Born in the humble Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, Tatenda Chatikobo has vivid recollections of inspirations from his father; the “hero” who groomed him to be the success story he is today.

Three years ago, Chatikobo enrolled for a National Diploma in Tourism Management at Durban University of Technology, and because of his hard work and outstanding commitment, he graduated cum laude during yesterday’s (Wednesday, 03 September 2014) last Spring graduation ceremony for 2014 at DUT.

Despite the void created in Chatikobo’s life by the death of his father when he was 18 years old, he managed to triumph over his loss. “I’m happy with what I have achieved. It’s an incredible feeling to be graduating cum laude. It was a matter of commitment that I managed to do so well. My mother is very proud of me and I know she will be very happy and honoured to know that I have finally made it,” he said.

Chatikobo said that he deliberately set the bar high for himself in order to set the pace for his success. His ingenuity helped him to fulfil his goal of being one of the top students in his academic programme. “Since my childhood, my father loved travelling so it’s something that I grew up with. I love travelling a lot that is why I chose a career in tourism,” said Chatikobo.

He is now even more confident that he is destined for greatness far beyond from where he is now. Chatikobo is doing his BTech in Tourism Management at DUT and cannot wait to study towards his Master of Technology in the same program. “In the next ten years, I see myself working in the corporate travel industry or running my own company which will be a combined corporate travel and events planning company,” he said.

Chatikobo described graduating at DUT as a “blessing”. “Having the opportunity to graduate at DUT, which has a good reputation especially in the travel industry, gives me an edge over students from other institutions especially in tourism. When I was doing my internship, DUT students were spoken highly of,” he said.

Extensive planning, laying out goals and conducting personal evaluations is what Chatikobo believes is the key to success, adding that those behind him should also strive to use that formula. In future, Chatikobo wishes to give back to the people around him.

-Gift Nyamapfene

Pictured: Tatenda Chatikobo

No comments