Sibongakonke Sanele Ntenga, from Northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), has broken family barriers by graduating with Cum Laude during the Durban University of Technology 2026 Autumn Graduation ceremony, held at the Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
He had completed his Diploma in Information and Communication Technology: Applications Development, he reflects on a university experience that shaped him academically, professionally, and personally.
“My journey at DUT has been very joy-filled, and I have learned a lot while gaining meaningful experiences academically, professionally, and personally,” he said.
His first year in 2023 remains the most memorable chapter of his academic life. He recalls his very first lecture at Cane Growers Hall on the ML Sultan campus, where Applications Development 101 (APDA101) was taught by Mrs Jeraline Dwarika. That day marked a turning point in his life, as reality set in about the opportunity he had been given and the responsibility that came with it.
“I still remember my very first lecture. On that day, reality really hit me. I realised what it meant to be sitting in that lecture hall and the opportunity I had been given,” he reflected.
Through her passion and clarity, Mrs Dwarika not only taught programming fundamentals but also ignited something deeper within him. Her teaching style helped him develop a love for software development and strengthened his conviction that he was in the right place.
“Mrs Dwarika made me fall in love with Software Development through the way she taught and explained the fundamentals with so much passion and clarity. From that moment, I became more certain that I was in the right place,” he explained.
Although naturally introverted and reserved, Ntenga gradually adapted to university life through group work and collaboration, where he formed meaningful friendships that enriched his experience. Over time, his passion for his studies deepened, pushing him to work with discipline, consistency, and a commitment to excellence.
“Graduating Cum Laude is something I am truly honoured by. It reflects the hard work, discipline, and consistency I have put in over the past three years,” he added.
Ntenga strongly identifies with the DUT Living values of accountability and respect. He views accountability as a guiding principle that shapes his future, while respect allows him to value the perspectives of others and build meaningful relationships.
“Accountability reminds me that I am responsible for my own life and decisions. What I do today shapes my future, Respect helped me remain grounded all times,” Ntenga explained.
Like many students, he also faced financial challenges during his studies, coming from a single-income household and relying on NSFAS support. However, instead of allowing this to hinder him, he used it as motivation to develop discipline and financial responsibility.
Through DUT’s financial literacy programmes, he learned valuable life skills that helped him manage his resources wisely, reinforcing the idea that success is not only about resources but also about responsibility.
His family’s reaction to his graduation remains one of the most emotional highlights of his journey. As the first in his family to graduate from university.
“My family was extremely excited and proud. I will be the first among my siblings to graduate from university, which makes this a very special and historic moment for us,” he shared.
His curiosity about how systems work naturally led him into software development, where he found purpose in understanding how technology shapes everyday life.
Ntenga remains committed to furthering his studies through an Advanced Diploma in ICT, with the intention of expanding his knowledge and contributing meaningfully to research in the field.
“I would like to pursue an Advanced Diploma in ICT to deepen my knowledge, continue growing and even make meaningful contributions to the field through research,” he explained.
His career ambitions are equally focused, as he aims to grow into a Systems Engineer role within the next three to five years while continuously improving his skills and adapting to industry demands.
Currently, he works as a Technical Support Specialist at Teneo Education, where he investigates and resolves technical issues while ensuring smooth system performance for end-users and internal teams.
He mentioned that the DUT RISE Programme had helped him prepare for the professional world by equipping him with essential skills such as financial literacy and professional development.
“The CV I used to apply for my current job was created using what I learned from that programme. It played a big role in helping me secure interviews and eventually land a role at a company I truly wanted to work for,” he expressed.
He advised students to work as hard as they could that day so they could live the life they wanted in the future, encouraging them to go beyond the classroom and engage with real-world learning.
Pictured: Sibongakonke Ntenga
Khulasande Tshayile
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
