The desire to make her mother proud and improve her family situation was a constant driving force behind Amanda Chiya’s journey to achieve academic excellence at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

Chiya was conferred with a BTech in Town Planning and Regional Planning with Cum Laude and Dean’s Merit Award today, 08 May 2018 at Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

She was raised by a single mother after her father passed away while she was still an infant. “Without any formal employment, my mother worked hard to ensure that I would have a promising future. At the tender age of six years, my mother moved me to live with my relatives in Pietermaritzburg so that I could get better education, and I stayed there throughout my Primary School years, only going to visit my mom back in Ixopo during the school holidays. So I believe that my mother had the most significance in my academic journey because whenever the road got rough and I felt like giving up, I thought of her and I pushed on harder than before,” said Chiya.

Chiya said being raised by a single and unemployed mother was a serious impediment, but she did not allow that to affect her studies. “I did not have the fiscal means to fund my education. However, I did not allow that to deter me or the dreams that I had. Fortunately, my matric results afforded me a 100% remuneration, which meant that I did not pay my fees for the 1st year. My study costs for the following years were paid for by various bursaries,” added Chiya.

The focused, ambitious and self-motivated Chiya, said her graduation is dedicated to her mother. “Graduation for me is a symbol that I through Gods mercy, was able to rise above every obstacle that could have resulted in my failure as a student and in life. Graduation for me means that my mother’s efforts and hard work have now paid off,” Chiya said proudly.

Currently, Chiya is a Town Planning Intern at the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and she would like to make a contribution towards rural development. “I would like to contribute back to society through rural development, ensuring that the poorest also get to enjoy quality living conditions. I would also like to go on to study property law,” she said.

She also urged DUT students to embrace their challenges and value their achievements. “Do not give up because it is your challenges that will make you enjoy and value your achievements in life. There is a Zulu parable that says, “kuhlwa kakhulu uma sekuzosa” which means that the hardest times in life are right before your greatest achievements,” Chiya added.

Pictured: Amanda Chiya

Nduduzo Ndlovu