While graduating Cum Laude is a huge achievement for Divania Pillay, she is still hungry for more. She feels like she has only scratched the surface of what she wants to learn. She obtained Cum Laude for her Diploma in Management Sciences specialising in Retail Management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn Graduation on Thursday, 22 May 2025, at Olive Convention Centre (OCC) in Durban.
The 23-year-old from Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal said graduating Cum Laude means a lot as it represents the effort, discipline, and perseverance she put into her education.
“It was not always easy, but staying focused and pushing through challenges helped me reach this milestone. I am proud of what it says about my work ethic and dedication,’’ she added.
She highlighted that she is eyeing for more and continuing with her studies as she feels like it’s the natural next step. She added that there is so much more to explore, and she is excited to push herself even further and she is committed to taking that next leap.
Pillay’s journey at DUT has been both challenging and rewarding. When she enrolled for her studies, she was nervous, but excited to explore her field in greater depth. Over time, she developed strong relationships with her lecturers and classmates, which pushed her to grow both academically and personally.
One of the biggest highlights during her journey at DUT was when she had participated in a three-month exchange programme in Germany in her final year.
Like many students, she faced many challenges, she struggled to manage time for her academics. Also, the challenge of social pressure- wanting to fit in, perform well academically, and meet the expectations. She often felt like there was this weight on her to succeed, which sometimes made it harder for her to relax and enjoy the experience.
Her career is about blending passion with purpose. Focusing on growing her skills in something that excites and drives her to keep learning. She wants to be in a role where she is challenged every day and make a difference, whether it is through the work she does or the team she is part of. Over the next few years, she hopes to step into a leadership role where she can inspire others, share the knowledge she has gained, and to contribute to shaping projects that matter.
Advising the first-year graduates, Pillay said that they must be open to learning both in and outside of the classroom. Also, they must always remember that this is the foundation, not the destination.
Currently she is employed at Jam Clothing’s head office in the planning department as merchandise planner.
Pictured: Divania Pillay
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Vukani Langa
